Public Comments for 02/10/2022 General Laws - Housing/Consumer Protection
HB557 - Southwestern Va. Mental Health Inst.; Gov. to convey property to Smyth County.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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HB596 - Rent stabilization, local; any locality may by ordinance adopt provisions.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Caywood Organization: Legislative Collaborative Table of Hampton Roads Locality: Virginia Beach

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.

Last Name: Joseph Locality: Richmond

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

Last Name: Chan Locality: Alexandria

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.

Last Name: Williams Organization: q Locality: Richmond

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.

Last Name: Hardney Scott Organization: VSC NAACP Locality: Hopewell

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.

HB701 - Uniform Statewide Building Code; local building codes and regulations, etc.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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HB753 - Human rights; religious organizations, promotion of religious principles.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Haye Organization: Patrick Henry College Locality: Purcellville, VA

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Sub Committee Thank you for the opportunity to briefly speak in support of HB 753, 1133 and 1137. My name is Jack Haye and I serve as President of Patrick Henry College. I am here today to speak on behalf of the religious freedoms of ministries, churches and faith-based schools like Patrick Henry College – including the protections for mission-driven employment and housing accommodations. Your conversations and deliberations today are important to all Virginians of faith and, I would say, also for Virginians of no faith because you are considering this important question: “Do organizations have the right to employ those who align with their mission both in practice and, in the case of religious organizations, those who align with the undergirding theology and doctrines that define their organizations.” A negative answer to that question has far-reaching implications for both religious and individual freedom in the Commonwealth. Answering that question in the affirmative, as I encourage you to do, protects the rights of faith-based organizations like Patrick Henry College to continue providing the unique educational opportunity that people seek from us. Thank you for your service to all Virginians.

Last Name: Coppola Organization: American Association of Christian Schools Locality: Lake Ridge

Comments Document

These comments are submitted by the American Association of Christian Schools on behalf of our association and our member schools in Virginia in support of HB 753.

Last Name: Hardman Organization: Mountain View Christian Academy and the Church of Christ at Mountain View Locality: Winchester

Thank you for the opportunity to provide written feedback on HB 753. I am the administrator of Mountain View Christian Academy in Winchester, VA and my husband serves as the senior evangelist. The leadership team of our church and school is very concerned that the Virginia Values Act is infringing upon our constitutional rights of religious freedom. Please pass this bill to ensure that religious organizations are protected in the following areas. 1. That we are not considered public accommodation. Although open to the public and evangelistic in nature in all of our ministries, we must have the ability to maintain men’s and women’s bathrooms and uphold our Judeo-Christian beliefs that we were uniquely and distinctly created as male and female. Parents who send their children to our school and daycare want the assurance that their children will not be at risk of a biological male entering a women’s bathroom or vice versa. Our mission as a church and for all ministries is to evangelize and equip so we are not inclusive in who can come into our building, but we ask that we can uphold our religious convictions for all who do attend our church, school, ballgames, events, etc. 2. That we are protected in our ability to hire and fire based on our religious convictions, core values, and biblical principles. We want to ensure that we do not have to go through litigation if we choose not to hire someone because they do not adhere to our statement of faith and biblical values or if we need to let someone go who is not living up to our code of conduct and contractual ethics. Our mission as a school is to partner with the home and the church to raise up students who are thoroughly equipped with a Christ-centered world view, thus our constituency (particularly our parents) are counting on us to hire men and women who uphold their religious convictions. Teachers are the living curriculum in the school and we must be able to make decisions according to our belief structure. 3. It must be ensured that we do not have to compromise our beliefs in housing accommodations. Although we are not a boarding school, we have colleagues who do have boarding schools and we offer many retreats and overnight activities in which we maintain a separation between our males and females in housing accommodations. Again, we are asking for the right to be able to make these decisions based on our fundamental beliefs. We are not asking this to be hateful, judgmental, or bigoted in any way. We are simply asking for the freedom that was given to us by our founding fathers to worship and operate according to our religious convictions without having restrictions placed on our Biblical values. Thank you again for the opportunity to share my thoughts. I am asking you to please support HB 753 to protect the freedom of religious organizations to adhere to their religious principles without threat of government penalty. Respectfully submitted, Minta Hardman, PhD Administrator minta.hardman@ccmv.com

Last Name: Nicholls Locality: Chesapeake

Please move to report. Thank you.

Last Name: Brown Organization: Roanoke Valley Christian Schools/Shenandoah Baptist Church/Camp Eagle Locality: Roanoke

I am in my 31st year of serving Roanoke Valley Christian Schools (an accredited member of the Association of Christian Schools International) as the school's administrator. RVCS is a ministry of Shenandoah Baptist Church which also oversees the ministry of Camp Eagle located in Botetourt County. I speak in support of HB 753 and ask for your support, as well.

Last Name: Tryfiates Organization: Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Locality: Spotsylvania

Comments Document

Please see attached PDF file of the testimony of P. George Tryfiates, Director for Government Affairs, Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) in support of HB 753. ACSI is the largest Protestant school association and has 87 member schools in Virginia with over 17,000 students. This testimony is submitted on their behalf. Tryfiates is also a long-time Virginia resident. Thank you for your consideration.

Last Name: Nicholls Locality: Chesapeake

HB753 religious folks have rights, Muslims and Jews should be treated with respect. HB909 against this, I would never put an Indian Hindu near an Indian Muslim. I think you need to realize that American is made up of many nations: not all of these nations get along with each other, and in the interest of peace here, some may bring those issues here with them. HB1133 may or may not be a good thing. I can see it working both ways, for and against folks.

HB804 - Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; nonrefundable application fee, limitations.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: McLain Organization: Housing Opportunities Made Equal Locality: Richmond City

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and members of the subcommittee. My name is Isabel McLain and I am speaking on behalf of Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia. We support HB 804 because it will make the tenant application process more efficient and cost-effective for all involved parties. HB 804 would remove a significant financial barrier for renters and reduce waste of time and resources for landlords. In addition, this bill would bring transparency and improved accuracy to the screening process, which we believe is critical to ensuring fair access to housing across the state. On a personal note, I recently moved to Virginia and the application process was expensive and difficult. I spent $450 on background check fees for the 5 apartments to which I applied, when I could have just paid once for a background check and saved a lot of money. Passing HB 804 would simplify the search for a rental home in this great Commonwealth.

Last Name: Wright-Zink Organization: Virginia Organizing Locality: Middlebrook

Good afternoon. My name is Connie Wright-Zink and I live in Augusta County. As a member of Virginia Organizing, I have been working with residents of the Waynesboro area on the issue of affordable, quality housing. The passage of these bills is critical in order to protect our most vulnerable citizens from being preyed upon by unethical and callous landlords. Virginia Organizing has spent the last year knocking on doors and speaking with tenants in low rent and subsidized housing in Waynesboro. We are gathering testimony from many of the residents in these housing units in order to provide evidence of the many ways in which they have been taken advantage of by their landlords. Personally, I have been shocked to see some of the physical conditions they live in as well as their stories of the many ways landlords have abused their positions of power to intimidate their renters. Our communities desperately need the protections these bills would provide. I hope we can count on you to vote yes on all of them.

Last Name: Hardney Scott Organization: Virginia State Conference NAACP Locality: Hopewell

The VSC NAACP respectfully asks for a vote of yes for HB804. The average application fee for a renter is $40.00 per person 18 and older. A household of two will spend $80.00 in an attempt to secure a home only to be told after paying this nonrefundable payment they don't qualify in according to the landlord's tenant selection policy Landlords literally rack up thousands of dollars on nonrefundable fees the passing of this bill would ease the burden for many that literally go broke just applying for a home.

Last Name: Pauley Organization: Virginia Organizing Locality: Richmond

Please Vote Yes to HB803 7 804 By preventing evictions, HB803 will save landlords work and money. Landlords will receive the full amount of rent they are owed instead of spending additional money on court fees to get a judgment they may not be able to collect. Landlords will not lose additional rent money while the unit sits empty after eviction. HB804 requires landlords to disclose their tenant screening policies upfront. Rather than wasting money on rental applications, not knowing whether the landlord will ultimately deny them, tenants will be able to review the landlord’s tenant screening policies and decide whether to apply to that landlord.

HB836 - Virginia Small Estate Act; funeral expenses of decedent.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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HB882 - Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; tenant's assertion, condemnation of dwelling unit.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Hardney Scott Organization: VSC NAACP Locality: hopewell

The VSC NAACP Housing Committee Supports HB 882 Thank you

HB893 - Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; terms and conditions of rental agreement.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Hardney Scott Organization: VSC NAACP Locality: Hopewell

The VSC NAACP stands in support of HB893 thank you

HB1063 - Public accommodations, employment, and housing; prohibited discrimination on the basis of religion.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Nicholls Locality: Chesapeake

Please move to report. Thank you.

Last Name: Willis Locality: Richmond, VA 23234

The city has chosen ONE as a gaming host. This bill is identical to Morrissey's SB203 which puts limits on a casino referendum in Richmond for five years. We in the city of Richmond feels as Mr. Morrissey have committed MUTINY on us. We see this bill (HB-1134) only as a designed to remove Richmond city from becoming a host city, which in the end becomes Richmond being remove indefinite. PLEASE VOTE NO to HB-1134.

HB1122 - Manufactured homes, certain; release of manufactured home records.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Willis Locality: Richmond, VA 23234

The city has chosen ONE as a gaming host. This bill is identical to Morrissey's SB203 which puts limits on a casino referendum in Richmond for five years. We in the city of Richmond feels as Mr. Morrissey have committed MUTINY on us. We see this bill (HB-1134) only as a designed to remove Richmond city from becoming a host city, which in the end becomes Richmond being remove indefinite. PLEASE VOTE NO to HB-1134.

HB1133 - Nondiscrimination in places of public accommodation, definitions.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Haye Organization: Patrick Henry College Locality: Purcellville, VA

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Sub Committee Thank you for the opportunity to briefly speak in support of HB 753, 1133 and 1137. My name is Jack Haye and I serve as President of Patrick Henry College. I am here today to speak on behalf of the religious freedoms of ministries, churches and faith-based schools like Patrick Henry College – including the protections for mission-driven employment and housing accommodations. Your conversations and deliberations today are important to all Virginians of faith and, I would say, also for Virginians of no faith because you are considering this important question: “Do organizations have the right to employ those who align with their mission both in practice and, in the case of religious organizations, those who align with the undergirding theology and doctrines that define their organizations.” A negative answer to that question has far-reaching implications for both religious and individual freedom in the Commonwealth. Answering that question in the affirmative, as I encourage you to do, protects the rights of faith-based organizations like Patrick Henry College to continue providing the unique educational opportunity that people seek from us. Thank you for your service to all Virginians.

Last Name: Nicholls Locality: Chesapeake

HB753 religious folks have rights, Muslims and Jews should be treated with respect. HB909 against this, I would never put an Indian Hindu near an Indian Muslim. I think you need to realize that American is made up of many nations: not all of these nations get along with each other, and in the interest of peace here, some may bring those issues here with them. HB1133 may or may not be a good thing. I can see it working both ways, for and against folks.

Last Name: Willis Locality: Richmond, VA 23234

The city has chosen ONE as a gaming host. This bill is identical to Morrissey's SB203 which puts limits on a casino referendum in Richmond for five years. We in the city of Richmond feels as Mr. Morrissey have committed MUTINY on us. We see this bill (HB-1134) only as a designed to remove Richmond city from becoming a host city, which in the end becomes Richmond being remove indefinite. PLEASE VOTE NO to HB-1134.

HB1137 - Virginia Fair Housing Law; removes certain exemptions.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Haye Organization: Patrick Henry College Locality: Purcellville, VA

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Sub Committee Thank you for the opportunity to briefly speak in support of HB 753, 1133 and 1137. My name is Jack Haye and I serve as President of Patrick Henry College. I am here today to speak on behalf of the religious freedoms of ministries, churches and faith-based schools like Patrick Henry College – including the protections for mission-driven employment and housing accommodations. Your conversations and deliberations today are important to all Virginians of faith and, I would say, also for Virginians of no faith because you are considering this important question: “Do organizations have the right to employ those who align with their mission both in practice and, in the case of religious organizations, those who align with the undergirding theology and doctrines that define their organizations.” A negative answer to that question has far-reaching implications for both religious and individual freedom in the Commonwealth. Answering that question in the affirmative, as I encourage you to do, protects the rights of faith-based organizations like Patrick Henry College to continue providing the unique educational opportunity that people seek from us. Thank you for your service to all Virginians.

Last Name: Willis Locality: Richmond, VA 23234

The city has chosen ONE as a gaming host. This bill is identical to Morrissey's SB203 which puts limits on a casino referendum in Richmond for five years. We in the city of Richmond feels as Mr. Morrissey have committed MUTINY on us. We see this bill (HB-1134) only as a designed to remove Richmond city from becoming a host city, which in the end becomes Richmond being remove indefinite. PLEASE VOTE NO to HB-1134.

HB1216 - Housing authorities law; powers of legal entity, use of funds and tax credits.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Wood Locality: Charlottesville, VA

I'm writing in support of HB1216. To keep my comments brief, I'll simply say that I am a lifelong VA resident and landowner, and I believe in transparency between public and private sector dealings especially when it comes to real estate. The opacity of NRHA's investments through Hampton Roads Ventures is troubling to say the least. Who is benefitting from HRV's investments in Idaho, Louisiana, and all other manner of places - and why won't they invest in their own city of Norfolk? We cannot answer this question without access to the information that this bill would make available.

Last Name: Willis Locality: Richmond, VA 23234

The city has chosen ONE as a gaming host. This bill is identical to Morrissey's SB203 which puts limits on a casino referendum in Richmond for five years. We in the city of Richmond feels as Mr. Morrissey have committed MUTINY on us. We see this bill (HB-1134) only as a designed to remove Richmond city from becoming a host city, which in the end becomes Richmond being remove indefinite. PLEASE VOTE NO to HB-1134.

HB1286 - Housing Authorities Law; notice of intent to dispose of housing projects.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Willis Locality: Richmond, VA 23234

The city has chosen ONE as a gaming host. This bill is identical to Morrissey's SB203 which puts limits on a casino referendum in Richmond for five years. We in the city of Richmond feels as Mr. Morrissey have committed MUTINY on us. We see this bill (HB-1134) only as a designed to remove Richmond city from becoming a host city, which in the end becomes Richmond being remove indefinite. PLEASE VOTE NO to HB-1134.

End of Comments