I’m just signing up to listen

I am a current resistant at the Meg Davis Oxford house in Lynchburg Virginia. I am a grateful recovering alcoholic. I was an independent woman and a successful teacher for 16 years until my addiction to alcohol caught up with me. For years, I struggled with fighting this disease on my own until I was introduced to A. A. and the Oxford program. I have been successful in my recovery because of the fellowship and support of the Oxford house program. I have a full time job, pay my bills on time, attend church again, and attend AA meetings daily because of the fellowship of the Oxford program. I have gain meaningful life long relationships through Oxford House. I am able to be independent again in every aspect of my life! Most importantly, I have gain my self worth again that alcohol took away from me. I feel strong in my recovery and my life again thanks to the Oxford House. Sincerely, Kelly Cosby

Please vote NO to HB277 and SB622. Back in October, I entered a detox/rehab facility. Since then I have been to a detox center, rehab center and the Behavioral Department of a Hospital. After successfully completing the program I needed some place to stay. The rehab center was instrumental in placing me into an Oxford house. They provided me the referrals I needed to land a spot in several Oxford house. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for the Oxford house.

The Oxford House Has saved my life and gives me a place to live and be held accountable for my actions.

I’m just signing up to listen

I am a current resistant at the Meg Davis Oxford house in Lynchburg Virginia. I am a grateful recovering alcoholic. I was an independent woman and a successful teacher for 16 years until my addiction to alcohol caught up with me. For years, I struggled with fighting this disease on my own until I was introduced to A. A. and the Oxford program. I have been successful in my recovery because of the fellowship and support of the Oxford house program. I have a full time job, pay my bills on time, attend church again, and attend AA meetings daily because of the fellowship of the Oxford program. I have gain meaningful life long relationships through Oxford House. I am able to be independent again in every aspect of my life! Most importantly, I have gain my self worth again that alcohol took away from me. I feel strong in my recovery and my life again thanks to the Oxford House. Sincerely, Kelly Cosby

Please vote NO to HB277 and SB622. Back in October, I entered a detox/rehab facility. Since then I have been to a detox center, rehab center and the Behavioral Department of a Hospital. After successfully completing the program I needed some place to stay. The rehab center was instrumental in placing me into an Oxford house. They provided me the referrals I needed to land a spot in several Oxford house. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for the Oxford house.

The Oxford House Has saved my life and gives me a place to live and be held accountable for my actions.

The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the need of agencies to transfer to a different criminal justice training academy, but there needs to be consideration of the fiscal impact on a training academy budget when a dues-paying agency leaves the academy. Passage of this bill could cause other agencies to leave their academies without fiscal responsibility for the impact on that regional academy budget.

Speaking on behalf of the Town of Pulaski relative to request of Town of Pulaski to exit Cardinal Police Academy. Modification of 15.2-1747

Please move to report HB116, HB710, HB1070, HB548, HB1088. Thank you.

I am a retired Regional Academy Director but I continue to monitor developments related to Regional Academies. Having read the comments relating to this bill, I could not add anything to the comments that oppose this bill as they are very thorough. I can however confirm that those comments opposing this bill to be factual and accurate in my opinion. I would urge those considering this bill to either outright oppose it or at the very least postpone its passage and take time to do more research. I am certain this bill will likely have unintended consequences that could be devastating to Regional Academies.

If passed, this bill will open the flood gates for localities to circumvent the current law for localities to withdraw from their present academy. If, the town wants to withdraw, then it should be required to follow the present process just like every other locality prior to this date. Otherwise, the G.A. should amend the current law and allow everyone the same option. I know that Cardinal Academy invested in a house to serve as a barracks for two of their member agencies, one of those being Pulaski. Cardinal Academy should be allowed to recover that in investment.

As the director of one of the commonwealth’s eleven regional academies, a law enforcement officer since 1985 and a law enforcement trainer since 1988 I wanted to take a moment and bring a significant issue with the regional academy system in Virginia to your attention. Regional academies have faced significant budgeting issues for as long as I can remember. Historically, each regional academy is funded by the state at approximately $100.00 per officer/deputy/dispatcher per year. This leaves the majority of funding to the membership of each regional academy. Recognizing this the general assembly passed the regional academy stabilization act/law (15.2-1747) in 2001. This law requires a vote of the regional academy board to allow an organization to leave. This may seem unreasonable to some jurisdictions, but imagine a significant percentage of a city being annexed by another city with no checks and balances, which causes a significant loss of revenue. This is similar to what occurs when a jurisdiction leaves a regional academy without following set procedures. In fact this is exactly why there are laws as to how to annex portions of one jurisdiction to another, and why there is a law to govern how to leave a regional academy. This code also allows for the board of a regional academy to set forth "conditions" (normally paying dues for a period of time) for leaving. We have done this at the HRCJTA several times to allow for budget stabilization. If an agency can simply bypass these "conditions" by amending an existing code section why would any jurisdiction agree to any conditions? I truly hope that you see how fragile the regional academy system is in Virginia. I understand that the system, and state code 15.2-1747, allows for an agency to leave to join another regional, or to become an independent, but this state code must be enforced and it is a disastrous trend to allow any agency to bypass this law. I would be please to discuss this further with you or the appropriate policy maker(s). Scott Barlow- Director HRCJTA

As Sheriff of Sussex County and Vice-Chair of Crater Criminal Justice Academy, I oppose this bill with an issue that will unwind the process that was put in place with the Regional Academy stabilization act. The potential de-stabilization of the Reginal Academy system agencies will be able to leave at times of their choosing is a grave concern for every academy and every Board in the state will affect the physical stability of the academies.

I fully agree with this bill and urge your support. The code was put in place to prevent agencies from randomly jumping from one academy to the other, but allowed agencies to change every five years. Pulaski requested the move academies in 2021, which was the correct year, but being held like a hostage for ransom by their current academy does not make sense. Academies should prepare for changes that could occur in the fifth year and have contingencies in place in case agencies request to move. In addition to this, Montgomery County recently moved to the Cardinal Academy which would more than off-set any loss of revenue. In addition, Pulaski is located within a 10 minute drive of the New River Academy, which is located in Dublin, also in Pulaski County. All other agencies within Pulaski County train at the New River Academy which would also provide for consistent training with those the officer's work most with. It only makes sense for Pulaski to be allowed to switch without punishment.

Section 15.2-1747 describes the process for establishing regional criminal justice academies. This includes the requirement that member agencies enter into an agreement that establishes the governance of the Academy. Additionally the procedure for a member to withdraw is described in Paragraph D. It is noteworthy that the statute states, "The board of directors shall provide for the conditions of withdrawal." The Board of Directors of regional academies are authorized to enter into financial obligations such as leases, bonds and loans which obligate the members to a proportion of the debt. In the case of the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy, members are current obligated to a long term debt instrument that mature in 2026. By agreement no member may withdraw from the Academy while the debt is outstanding. The amendment proposed in HB116 allows one member of a different Academy to withdraw outside of the established process. Approval of this bill could undermine the ability of Academy Boards to operate effectively. Specifically , I fear that this could undermine the ability of Academies to secure long term financing. The security for the lender is the full faith and credit of the board as a whole. If agencies can withdraw at will, without having to meet the financial obligation that they have previously agreed to, the creditworthiness of the Academies will be downgraded by lenders. Additionally, the remaining agencies will be required to assume the financial liability of the agency that withdraws. The concern of the Town of Pulaski should be resolved in a business like fashion with the other members of the involved Academy. I oppose this legislation that may establish a precedent that allows other jurisdictions to withdraw from Academies contravening their obligations to the Academy.

As the Executive Director for the Skyline Regional Criminal Justice Academy and current Vice President of the Virginia Association of Directors of Criminal Justice Training, I am asking for your support by opposing HB 116. If this bill, which is written to allow the Town of Pulaski the ability to leave Cardinal training academy and join New River training academy without penalty, were to pass it would set a precedent that would be detrimental to the future stability of our regional criminal justice training academy system. Existing, VA Code 15.2-1747 stipulates the processes in which an agency may be granted approval to leave/join a regional training academy. Circumventing that process is not the appropriate or responsible answer to Pulaski's request. Please refer to Director Vicker's, Cardinal Regional Training Academy's comment of the impact/stabilization studies and the results of such that aided in the development of our current practices. Regional training academies are already struggling with financial disparities from state funding that are impacting our local jurisdictions budgets. I urge your support for your Regional Law Enforcement Training Academies by opposing this bill. Thank you for your time

I am reaching out to you as the director of the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy, responsible for training law enforcement, jail and emergency communications officers in the Fredericksburg region, providing training for 42 Virginia Criminal Justice Agencies. I am reaching out to ask for your help in denying a bill which has the potential to negatively impact the regional training system statewide. This bill allows the Town of Pulaski to separate from Cardinal Regional Criminal Justice Academy and join New River Valley Criminal Justice Academy. The concern, all 11 regional academy directors share, is the precedent this bill would set up if successful. Below is some background and the concerns the regional academies have regarding this bill. The Board of Directors for the Cardinal Regional Academy voted to allow the Town of Pulaski to leave and join the New River Academy but provided a stipulation that Pulaski should make a final payment to Cardinal prior to being allowed to separate. This is a common stipulation at all 11 regional academies as it gives the academies time to absorb the loss of revenue from the separating agency. Pulaski refused to make the final payment and asked for this bill to be sponsored on their behalf. The main problem with this bill is that it creates precedent to go around existing code section 15.2-1747 which outlines the procedure for agencies to join or withdrawal from the regional academy system. If this bill is allowed to pass it will make the already financially strained regional academy system even more financially unstable as it will lay the ground work for other agencies to legislate out of an academy without financial concerns. I encourage you to please speak with your counter-parts and urge you to please oppose this bill.

As the Executive Director of Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy and current president of the Virginia Association of Directors of Criminal Justice Training I highly oppose the passing of HB 116. The ramifications by passing this bill will be extremely detrimental to all 11 Regional Academies across the Commonwealth of Virginia. I personally spoke to all of the other 10 Regional Academy Directors and with an almost unanimous consensus they all believe the impact and precedence that the passing of this bill will create on them financially as well as the hundreds of agencies and jurisdictions they serve would be astronomical. Regional Academies in Virginia receive 75% or more of their funding from the Agencies they serve. When an agency attempts to leave under 15.2-1747 they must receive 2/3 majority voting from the Board of Directors within the Academy. It is common practice to charge a fee as determined by each individual Academy Board of Directors if the 2/3 majority was reached for withdrawal. This additional fee helps offset the loss of the agency and also allows the academy to raise its dues at a lower rate for the next few years on all of the remaining agencies and jurisdictions. By allowing HB 116 to pass, and allowing an agency to leave without penalty or fee would be extremely detrimental to the Regional Academy system and make it impossible for academies to budget for capitol improvements, personnel or function yearly because of the revolving door of agencies that would be allowed to leave with no penalty making budgeting impossible. Passing of HB 116 would cripple regional academies and cost hundreds of other jurisdictions in the process because they would have to pay more to keep the Regional Academies funded. The Regional Academy Directors support following the current code 15.2-1747 and want the process to stay the same.

Comments Document

Since the mid-1980s, concerns have been raised about the instability of membership in the regional criminal justice training academies. Disruption of academy training activities due to membership withdrawals has been seen as having an adverse impact on the quality of training. In 1999 Senate Joint Resolution 411 (1999) directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to study methods to stabilize the membership of regional criminal justice training academies. Staff of the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) were directed to assist in the study. This review found that membership withdrawals do result in the loss of funding and training resources, which can be disruptive. Thus the creation of 15.2-1747 which is attached for your review. The academies are largely dependent on officers from member agencies to serve as instructors, and facilities from member agencies are used for some training activities. The loss of such resources makes planning for training programs difficult. These findings are not new, however. DCJS has raised such concerns since 1987, when a consultant completed a review of regional academy operations. This would cause a fee increase for all other agencies at Cardinal Academy of around $10.40 per officer. This fee increase does not include an already discussed fee increase my board is considering because of the drastic reduction regional academies have seen in the state special fund that is funded by a portion of summons issued. The Town of Pulaski has discussed moving to a new academy and the prior Chief of Police conducted comparison surveys and it was concluded that it was in the best interest of the town fiscally to remain at Cardinal Academy. In the short time I have been given to address this bill, as I was unaware of it until recently, there is no way I can outline all the negative effects these withdraws will cause. I would note that the biggest outcome of this bill passing would be the overall effect it would have on the entire regional criminal justice training academy system as it would effectively violate code 15.2-1747 and return us to a system that destabilizes regional academies and was proven ineffective nearly 25 years ago.

I’m just signing up to listen

The City of Portsmouth is in support of this bill. It sounds like a fair remedy for human error and it would be beneficial to the locality. Please support!

I’m just signing up to listen

I am a current resistant at the Meg Davis Oxford house in Lynchburg Virginia. I am a grateful recovering alcoholic. I was an independent woman and a successful teacher for 16 years until my addiction to alcohol caught up with me. For years, I struggled with fighting this disease on my own until I was introduced to A. A. and the Oxford program. I have been successful in my recovery because of the fellowship and support of the Oxford house program. I have a full time job, pay my bills on time, attend church again, and attend AA meetings daily because of the fellowship of the Oxford program. I have gain meaningful life long relationships through Oxford House. I am able to be independent again in every aspect of my life! Most importantly, I have gain my self worth again that alcohol took away from me. I feel strong in my recovery and my life again thanks to the Oxford House. Sincerely, Kelly Cosby

Please vote NO to HB277 and SB622. Back in October, I entered a detox/rehab facility. Since then I have been to a detox center, rehab center and the Behavioral Department of a Hospital. After successfully completing the program I needed some place to stay. The rehab center was instrumental in placing me into an Oxford house. They provided me the referrals I needed to land a spot in several Oxford house. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for the Oxford house.

The Oxford House Has saved my life and gives me a place to live and be held accountable for my actions.

I would like to ask that this bill moves forward. This is the absolute best and most fair way to handle reversion, let the residents of the city of Martinsville have a voice. Even though I am resident of Henry County I also own real estate in the City of Martinsville and one thing I have determined is reversion is cost me more money in the city and county, higher taxes means less jobs. Let’s give the residents of the City of Martinsville have a voice in this process, please move this bill forward.

Good morning Chairman Hodges and members of the committee. I am Tim Hall, Henry County Administrator, and I thank you for receiving my comments. I speak representing the Henry County Board of Supervisors. Henry County is the locality that would absorb the town of Martinsville and all the requirements that would come with that. Our Board of Supervisors wants you to know that it is in favor of HB 173 and requests that you approve it today. This is really a simple question – should the residents of the City of Martinsville have a say in the future of their locality? Once a city reverts there is no going back; the gravity of that decision should not be made by a 5-person City Council, of whom only 4 have consistently voted in favor of reversion. Approximately 14,000 people reside in the City of Martinsville; four people should not be allowed to make that decision themselves, at the exclusion of the others. The decision to revert will have a generational effect on those 14,000 residents; at least give them the opportunity to decide their own fate.

HB173 is not a bill against reversion. It is a bill allowing Martinsville residents a voice through the ballot in determining a very permanent status in their form of government. There are 17 references in Code of Va 15.2 that require a referendum before you can make a change in local government: if a town wants to become a city; if you want to abolish a constitutional office; if a city and town want to consolidate. However, only a majority of members of a city council can request a change from a town to a city. And there is no going back once a three-judge panel enters the order affirming the request and city council accepts the decision. In order to have a successful marriage of the city and county to a subordinate town within the county, you have to have buy-in from the residents of both localities. You need to bring the schools boards to the table to make decisions that are in the best interest of the kids, because they are the subject matter experts, and state statutes separate from the reversion statutes dictate how you "shall" consolidate schools. The Commission on Local Government suggested both localities should work harder to encourage community involvement and discussion in the matter going forward. Two separate organizations in the past week have publicly stated that residents of both localities do not feel they are heard by their local government. When you feel you aren't being heard to don't bother to engage because your government is going to do whatever it wants. These are the things I hear from the constituents that I serve as an elected official. We have the opportunity to pause and do a reversion right if it is what ALL of the residents want rather than rushing to the courthouse for a shotgun wedding that will likely result in nothing but resentment and bad feelings among both localities. "Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees; and both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people." -- Henry Clay Please vote "yes" on HB173 so we can actually find out what the people want rather than assuming we know best.

Any decision such as reversion should include giving every citizen a vote on it. This affects every person and every business. Disparaging any legally eligible voter the opportunity to cast a vote on something of this magnitude is simply wrong. I ask that you please give positive consideration of this bill. Thank you.

I ask this committee to please vote "Yes" on Delegate Marshalls bill. It is undeniable that allowing the City of Martinsville's citizenry the opportunity to decide their own cities fate is the most equitable, the most transparent and the most democratic way to finalize the reversion process one way or the other. COVID, on top of all the other devastating effects it has had on our community, also unfortunately allowed the city a readily available and easily abused excuse for a long list of cancelled, rescheduled and last-minute meetings. That allowed them to move this process forward, sadly with little to no public input. I attended and spoke at the CLG hearing held in Martinsville regarding reversion. The overwhelming feedback that was heard in that comment session was: "why has there not been more transparency", "slow down", "wait", "can we not consolidate certain services instead"," what happens to the school system", "I'm against it". There were only three out of the over forty people who made remarks in this session who spoke in favor of reversion. Of those three, two are former City of Martinsville Mayors and one is a current City Council Member. That meeting is available to watch on the CLG's website. I could provide much more information if I felt it was needed in making this decision. But I hope that giving the residents of Martinsville the power to have their voices heard in matters that affect them and their families directly seems like the right thing to do at face value. Because it is. This process in which many in Martinsville feel they were ill-informed, left out of the process, or frankly bullied by the City government over this issue deserves a referendum. I thank you for your service to the Commonwealth. I thank you for taking the time to read my comments. I humbly ask that you give a voice and a vote to the people who reside in the City of Martinsville and let them decide what is best for their city themselves. Respectfully, Eric J. Phillips

I am a citizen of Martinsville who supports HB173. I believe the registered voters of a city deserve to have a "Yes" or "No" vote in a referendum on the issue of whether Martinsville should revert from a city to town status. Citizens best express their opinion and voice through a voter ballot. A referendum provides an opportunity for all sides to be heard. The choice of whether Martinsville should become a town should be ultimately decided by its 9,200 registered voters, and not by the five persons sitting on its City Council.

I am in agreement and 'VOTE YES" for HB #173 of the 2022 Session, sponsored by Delegate Marshall. In Sec. # 3 concerning placing on the ballot question, "Shall the City of Martinsville become a town?" I agree with this. I am a qualified voter in the city of Martinsville. Also, I served as a school board member in the city. Citizens of Martinsville should have the right to vote on what affects their lives and children.

I’m just signing up to listen

I am a current resistant at the Meg Davis Oxford house in Lynchburg Virginia. I am a grateful recovering alcoholic. I was an independent woman and a successful teacher for 16 years until my addiction to alcohol caught up with me. For years, I struggled with fighting this disease on my own until I was introduced to A. A. and the Oxford program. I have been successful in my recovery because of the fellowship and support of the Oxford house program. I have a full time job, pay my bills on time, attend church again, and attend AA meetings daily because of the fellowship of the Oxford program. I have gain meaningful life long relationships through Oxford House. I am able to be independent again in every aspect of my life! Most importantly, I have gain my self worth again that alcohol took away from me. I feel strong in my recovery and my life again thanks to the Oxford House. Sincerely, Kelly Cosby

Please vote NO to HB277 and SB622. Back in October, I entered a detox/rehab facility. Since then I have been to a detox center, rehab center and the Behavioral Department of a Hospital. After successfully completing the program I needed some place to stay. The rehab center was instrumental in placing me into an Oxford house. They provided me the referrals I needed to land a spot in several Oxford house. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for the Oxford house.

The Oxford House Has saved my life and gives me a place to live and be held accountable for my actions.

It is the hope of not only City residents but County as well that this bill passes. Not any reversion in the entire state of Virginia has ever completely left both School Boards out of the equation. Schools are the most important factors in reversion. They are first step in reversion to be addressed. Public input is critical for decisions such as these for they affect every business and every citizen. There has been a serious lack of any public inclusion here. Citizens have grave concerns about their school systems being "dissolved". How does this affect racial diversity in our schools? How does this affect our district lines and which schools are in which district? Allowing the citizens to vote on this is only fair way to address this. When it appears there are only a handful of people being less than forthcoming with any details and appear to be pushing a personal agenda, a referendum is only solution. Thank you. Mary Martin memoo6@comcast.net 276 358 1461

Virginia Loggers Association supports HB 267. Returning surplus personal property revenues to individuals and businesses who pay them will help businesses to maintain workers and services. Every dollar saved now is more important than ever. Thank you, Ron Jenkins, VLA Executive Director

I’m just signing up to listen

I am a current resistant at the Meg Davis Oxford house in Lynchburg Virginia. I am a grateful recovering alcoholic. I was an independent woman and a successful teacher for 16 years until my addiction to alcohol caught up with me. For years, I struggled with fighting this disease on my own until I was introduced to A. A. and the Oxford program. I have been successful in my recovery because of the fellowship and support of the Oxford house program. I have a full time job, pay my bills on time, attend church again, and attend AA meetings daily because of the fellowship of the Oxford program. I have gain meaningful life long relationships through Oxford House. I am able to be independent again in every aspect of my life! Most importantly, I have gain my self worth again that alcohol took away from me. I feel strong in my recovery and my life again thanks to the Oxford House. Sincerely, Kelly Cosby

Please vote NO to HB277 and SB622. Back in October, I entered a detox/rehab facility. Since then I have been to a detox center, rehab center and the Behavioral Department of a Hospital. After successfully completing the program I needed some place to stay. The rehab center was instrumental in placing me into an Oxford house. They provided me the referrals I needed to land a spot in several Oxford house. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for the Oxford house.

The Oxford House Has saved my life and gives me a place to live and be held accountable for my actions.

The City of Portsmouth is conditionally in support of this bill providing there is a correction made to the last paragraph of the proposed bill which is confusing. Section 15.2-2209.1 extends validity of subdivisions and site plans dating back to 2007 and 2008 up to July 1, 2020. If this bill creates a separate extension that does not build on those granted by 15.2-2209.1- for those plans that meet the validity deadline without any previous extensions then implementing this legislation would be overly onerous on a local government... and we do not support.

I’m just signing up to listen

I am a current resistant at the Meg Davis Oxford house in Lynchburg Virginia. I am a grateful recovering alcoholic. I was an independent woman and a successful teacher for 16 years until my addiction to alcohol caught up with me. For years, I struggled with fighting this disease on my own until I was introduced to A. A. and the Oxford program. I have been successful in my recovery because of the fellowship and support of the Oxford house program. I have a full time job, pay my bills on time, attend church again, and attend AA meetings daily because of the fellowship of the Oxford program. I have gain meaningful life long relationships through Oxford House. I am able to be independent again in every aspect of my life! Most importantly, I have gain my self worth again that alcohol took away from me. I feel strong in my recovery and my life again thanks to the Oxford House. Sincerely, Kelly Cosby

Please vote NO to HB277 and SB622. Back in October, I entered a detox/rehab facility. Since then I have been to a detox center, rehab center and the Behavioral Department of a Hospital. After successfully completing the program I needed some place to stay. The rehab center was instrumental in placing me into an Oxford house. They provided me the referrals I needed to land a spot in several Oxford house. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for the Oxford house.

The Oxford House Has saved my life and gives me a place to live and be held accountable for my actions.

On behalf of Chesapeake City Council, its Mayor, and the City Manager. The City of Chesapeake asks that you support Chairman Knights HB454. Respectfully, David C. Westcott Jr. Office of the City Manager City of Chesapeake

Have you tried Roll On – 200mg from JUSTCBD?

The lack of affordable housing seems to be a problem everywhere, but in Hampton Roads, issues ranging from flooding to redevelopment are actively reducing the quantity of affordable rentals. HB5596 would enable a locality that chose to do so to adopt a rent stabilization ordinance. Since local government is primarily dependent on property tax for revenue, it makes sense that the locality is best equipped to make this decision. Families struggling to keep up with rising rent become unsustainably indebted, defer health care while increasing health risks, and too often are evicted. Our rate of evictions before the pandemic was shameful. Eviction damages not only the tenant, but the local economy because those evicted need services instead of being able to make purchases. When children are involved, education is disrupted and we’ve had ample evidence recently of how damaging that is. Localities need the ability to address the issue of unreasonable rent hikes in order to prevent the multitude of problems caused by the lack of affordable housing. Thank you for giving this bill your consideration. I urge you to support it.

We're in a housing crisis created by greed and not capping what landlords can charge. As we watch the fight to keep wages low play out rental prices are steadily increasing. People are being kicked out of the communities they grew up in because there is no regulation on the amount that can be charged for rent. We all lose when families cannot afford to live anywhere. We shouldn't be forcing people who live in poverty to all live in the same communities. There should be support to live in safe and affordable neighborhoods across the state without being targeted for their income levels. WE NEED RENT STABILIZATION PROGRAMS TO HELP US WHEN VOUCHER PROGRAMS AND RENT RELIEF PROGRAMS FAIL. I support HB596

My name is Michelle Chan. I live in Del Ray Alexandria, Virginia. I live in House District 45. I would like to write in support of HB596 and rent stabilization in the state of Virginia. As someone who grew up in poverty with a toxic family, I have felt the necessity of affordable housing that is actually affordable. Most of my life, I stayed with my family because I had no other choices. Paying rent would have cost my entire salary. It meant that I stayed in a toxic environment where my father was physically abusive. When I moved to Virginia, my salary was $40,000 a year. I worked full time and I worked hard. But I struggled to find housing because housing costs were astronomical. My rent was $1400. In fact, my rent was over 50% of my salary. That means that I was rent burdened. Thankfully, my rent did not increase. But I know that for other apartments, there are frequently $50 increases every year. That means that I cannot move out of my current apartment and into other apartments. I cannot afford the risk that my rent will be unilaterally increased by my landlord every year. Thankfully, my salary has increased, but I cannot imagine paying $1400 with a salary for $40,000 for longer than a year. And I still have many friends who earn $40,000 while bearing the exorbitant costs of living in Virginia. When your rent is over 30% of your salary, it means that your quality of life is significantly lesser in many ways. Just to give you a better idea, during that year, when I earned $40,000 and paid $1400 for rent. I never ate out. I couldn't afford furniture. I counted every penny. Bus fares were expensive and I would walk to work instead. Meeting people was harder since I couldn't afford to spend any money with them. I skimped on necessities, such as food, healthcare, medicine, and clothes. It was not easy. Landlords should not have the ability to unilateral raise rent. Housing is a human right. I urge you to support and push forward for rent stabilization.

With the increase in rental prices across the Commonwealth not being in line with the cost of living and wages, it becomes more and more difficult to afford anything for rent. Qualification requires grossing 3.5 times your monthly rent most times and it’s near impossible to afford anything, especially if you have minor children in your home. We need an option to cap the prices that landlords can charge for tenants that have already proven to be cost burdened. We made national headlines for the number of rent burdened families we have in Virginia; it was not for good recognition. There is an economic impact on the Commonwealth when families cannot afford to live in places that are safe and affordable. Contributing the bulk of your earnings to rent reduces the spending power that individuals have to place back into the economy and when people are evicted or fall behind, the burden falls on the public via social services and the Affordable Housing Trust programs. We have to resolve the ever-increasing rental prices for people who simply cannot afford the rent prices. I support this bill.

I am proud to voice support of HB596 on behalf of the VSC NAACP Housing Committee. We are excited to join advocates, community groups, and renters, in supporting rent stabilization because it is one significant way to ensure that as many people as possible in our communities can stay securely in their homes.Rent stabilization would immediately remove the fear of rapid rent increases for households who pay more of their income than they can afford toward rent. Rent Stabilization still allows rents to rise at a fair rate but makes illegal the sharper rent spikes that lead to residents being priced out of the homes and neighborhoods they love – spikes that are most often enacted by corporate, predatory landlords, not local property owners who are rooted in community. Like any single policy, rent stabilization won’t fix the crisis on its own; but it is a crucial tool to achieve our vision that will steady the surging market and alleviate pressures on renters. It’s one essential piece to keep people in their homes, and the VSC NAACP Housing Committee is proud to join the efforts of people in the state of Virginia. This bill will help to keep our communities strong by ensuring renters will have a home they can rely on and afford.