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Good morning I am Courtney Farrar (spell last name), a resident of the East End here in Richmond and a daily bus patron. I am reminded often of the inequities within our transit system while observing the lack of decent and safe places to stand or sit while waiting for said buses. Next time you’re moving about our beautiful Commonwealth, remember not only those deemed to be your average constituents but, remember those living with disabilities, mothers with small children, and others sitting on flipped shopping carts in proximity to the street. An influx of shelters allows these usually cash-strapped constituents to prevent taxi and ride share costs due to the inability to stand or hazardous conditions. Without the passage of House Bill 285, this body will force these vulnerable populations into dangerous and expensive situations to simply get to work, do errands, or participate in other activities.

Comments Document

The Virginia League of Conservation Voters encourages you to SUPPORT HB285 (McQuinn) Uniform Statewide Building Code; bus shelters. This Legislation Would: --Streamline the bus stop improvement process and eliminate unnecessary delays. --Accelerate deployment of Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) funds to improve the accessibility and safety of our bust transit system’s bus stops and last-foot infrastructure.

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

My name is Teri Morgan and I am the Executive Director for the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD). I write to you this afternoon to provide public comment on HB 327 dealing with the State Rental Assistance Program for the Settlement Agreement Population. The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities is in support of this bill. Legislation such as this will have a positive impact on individuals with disabilities. The State Rental Assistance Program assists in providing opportunities to individuals within the settlement agreement population to find rental housing that meets their individual needs. The program allows individuals the ability to choose where they live, whom they live with, and who supports them providing needed independence. VBPD is in support of HB 327.

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I’m Tushar Kansal, Director of the Housing Policy Initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts. The foremost issue affecting housing costs is a national shortage of 4-7 million homes, including a shortfall of more than 105,000 in Virginia. To address this shortage and improve affordability, some states, like California, Oregon and Washington, have passed laws requiring studies on whether they can safely legalize small apartment buildings of 4-6 stories with one staircase. Being able to build with one staircase instead of using bulkier, two-staircase models means small apartment buildings of those heights can fit on small lots and include family-sized apartments of three or more bedrooms. Wide, deep building layouts that include two staircases and a long corridor prevent apartments from having cross-ventilation or fitting buildings into existing cities and towns with only small lots available. Though the requirement for two staircases and a long corridor stems from concerns about fire safety during an earlier era with more primitive building technology, evidence shows that safety outcomes are no better in places with two-staircase mandates than those without. Countries like Austria, France, and Japan that allow one staircase generally have lower rates of fire death than the U.S. New York City and Seattle allow one staircase for buildings up to six stories, yet New York and Washington states have fewer fire deaths than average, suggesting modern fire-safety measures can make small buildings with one staircase safe. Thank you, and I welcome any questions.

Comments Document

✅ Virginia LCV Bill Positions SUPPORT HB19, HB33, HB357, HB368 OPPOSE HB1363 HB 19 (Ware) - SUPPORT Directs the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) to conduct a three-year study of the ecology, fishery impacts, and economic importance of the Atlantic menhaden population in Virginia’s waters. -- Menhaden are a critical species to provide nourishment for other fish targeted by commercial and recreational fishing industries. -- The General Assembly passed SB1388 during the 2023 legislative session, which developed plans for studying menhaden in Virginia’s waters. HB19 would direct VIMS to follow through on conducting the study HB 33 (Clark) - SUPPORT Directs the Commissioner of Health to convene a work group to study the occurrence of microplastics in the Commonwealth's public drinking water. -- As plastic breaks down over thousands of years, it does not go away but rather becomes microplastics–small plastic particles less than five millimeters in size. -- Microplastics are being found in our blood, lungs. Humans consume about a credit card worth of plastic every week. HB 357 (Simonds) - SUPPORT Establishes a work group to evaluate existing approaches to wetland conservation strategies, identify wetlands adaptation areas where tidal wetlands can persist in the landscape, and explore climate’s impact on wetlands’ health and survival. -- Wetlands are among the most productive, diverse, and important ecosystems in Virginia. Both tidal and nontidal wetlands improve water quality, reduce storm damage and flooding, control erosion, provide vital wildlife habitat, and help fight climate change. -- Virginia has already half the wetlands that existed in the 1780s due to development. According to a 2021 report by Climate Central, sea level rise threatens to cause Virginai to lose 42% of existing tidal wetlands by 2100. HB 368 (McClure) - SUPPORT This legislation would convene a stakeholder advisory group to recommend revisions to the Uniform Statewide Building Code regarding allowing multifamily buildings up to 6 stories to be served by a single staircase. -- Changing current regulations to allow single-stair buildings will empower construction of family size apartments and condos more easily and more affordably. -- Single stair construction is used in NYC, Seattle, and across Europe for buildings with a single staircase up to six stories in height. Modern fire safety measures such as fire resistant building materials, sprinkler systems, and secondary fire escapes mitigate fire risk. HB 1363 (O’Quinn) - OPPOSE -- This 2024 legislation is the “study version” of failed attempts in 2022 and 2023 to ban localities from electrifying new building construction–using the same broad language aimed at preventing any local action that “limits, prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting” natural gas service. -- The parameters of the study imply that Virginia’s clean energy transition threatens jobs, revenue, and our national security. -- This study seeks only to measure access to “fuels” methane (natural gas), or propane. It fails to consider whether banks, schools, state and local buildings, transit or telecommunications providers can use non-gas sources to meet their future energy needs. -- Prohibiting building electrification can leave high-density zones vulnerable to gas leaks, result in worsened indoor air quality, and prevent localities from meeting local emissions reductions targets.

HB19 - Vote YES https://vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/HB19-support.docx.pdf HB28 - Vote YES https://vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Support-HB28.pdf HB33 - Vote YES https://vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/HB33-support.pdf HB357 - Vote YES https://vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/HB357-VCN-support.docx.pdf HB368 - Vote YES https://vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/HB368-SB195-VCN-support.pdf HB809 - Vote YES https://vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/HB809-support-Leverage-of-Federal-Funding.docx.pdf HB1363 - Vote NO https://vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/OPPOSE-HB-1363-OQuinn-1.pdf

HB405 Please leave the decision on Solar Farms to the locality it’s proposed to be placed. The loss of agriculture and trees is a danger to the environment and fiscal health of the location and therefore the residents should have the final say. Studies of long term land pollution should be made available to all citizens in a manner that reaches a large portion of the state

The City of Portsmouth has reviewed and supports this bill, although it's only an optional inclusion, However, we do not think it should not still include a density requirement.

Oppose bill: The last thing we need is electric vehicles. -batteries are mined in Africa that promotes child labor -Unaffordable and dangerous fire hazard -Do not stand the cold weather

Please support HB644

HB567 provides a common-sense solution to ensure that Virginia has a sustainable future. EV charging stations in large residential or commercial settings would encourage EV usage and provide Virginians a convenient place to charge where they live and shop.

Please support HB567. Electric vehicles are a way forward for our communities, and we will all need to be able to charge them. This would allow a simpler transition and far less confusion. It is perfectly reasonable for the density proposed to assume a fleet of vehicles could more easily serve commercial needs as well. Thank you--such planning is best done ahead.

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Comments Document

On behalf of the Computer & Communications Industry Association, I submit the attached comments in respectful opposition to HB 877.

I am writing to support the passage of HB955 by the General Assembly. Everyone is so desperate for shelter that leases are signed without property managers or landlords explaining the details of the lease. In my 8 years of administering homeless prevention funds, there have been so many times I have had to explain the details of a lease agreement. Sometimes those provisions are so vague as to defy explanation. A summary page of the most pertinent terms would be beneficial to both parties. I have seen leases that do not meet even the most basic requirements of VLTRA and yet people sign these in the midst of desperation. This is important legislation and I hope it passes thru the General Assembly this session.

I am writing on behalf of the VSC NAACP Housing Committee to express our strong support for the bills highlighted below that aim to enhance tenant protections and rights within our community. These proposed measures are crucial steps toward addressing the existing power imbalance between renters and landlords, which places renters at an elevated risk of housing instability, harassment, and homelessness. As you are aware, the disparity in power between renters and landlords is a significant concern that has far-reaching implications, particularly for marginalized communities. This power imbalance not only jeopardizes housing stability but also perpetuates racial inequity. Numerous studies have shown that communities of color are disproportionately affected by eviction and housing instability, exacerbating existing disparities. Tenant protections, when enacted into law, serve as a fundamental tool in preventing evictions and ensuring that renters can maintain stable housing. We firmly believe that these proposed bills, with their emphasis on enhancing tenant rights, will contribute significantly to rectifying the current imbalances and fostering a more equitable housing landscape. By supporting and advancing these bills, we collectively acknowledge the importance of safeguarding vulnerable renters, promoting housing stability, and working towards a more just and inclusive society. We urge you to consider the broader impact that these legislative measures can have on our community and to cast your support in favor of their passage. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We appreciate your dedication to serving the interests of our community and trust that you will carefully consider the positive impact that these bills can have on the lives of countless individuals and pass them accordingly. Sincerely, Tracey Hardney Scott Housing Committee Chair VSC NAACP Housing Committee

HB1397 Statement by Mary Paden, Chair, South County Task Force, a group that advocates for social justice on the Route 1 Corridor in Fairfax County. I speak in favor of HB 1397 Along Fairfax County’s 9-mile Route 1 corridor north of Ft Belvoir there are five thriving mobile home communities that offer unsubsidized affordable housing to about 1,200 hardworking families. This corridor, one of the poorest areas of the county, is planned for dense development that threatens to displace these families. A coalition of mobile home owners has advocated with the county for better conditions and even joined with the county and a nonprofit to make an offer to purchase one of the mobile home parks using the current Manufactured Housing Lot Lease Act. But that state law failed them and an equity company bought the park for a lower bid because of a preexisting sales contract with a penalty clause. We want to amend that law to make it easier for mobile home owners to purchase their parks. Tenant and nonprofit ownership of Mobile Home Parks is growing nationally because it offers security and many benefits of homeownership. The Department of Housing and Urban Development and other federal agencies recognize mobile homes as affordable housing and have been changing regulations to make it easier to get mortgages. Examples of parks owned and run by resident associations, some in combination with nonprofits or local governments, include ROCUSA, Southwood in Charlottsville Va, and Bermuda Estates in Chesterfield Va. If a park’s location makes it too expensive to purchase, tenants and their allies will advocate for the county to create funds and use proffers to make sure home owners are compensated for their property and engaged in relocation plans. This committee must remove language that limits the capacity of localities during the re-zoning process. Thank you for your time and attention.

Good afternoon, I am Keren Croasdaile. I’ve lived my adolescence in Penn-Dawn with both my mother, step-father and my pet, it is my home. The sense of housing instability I experienced was very stressful growing up, it was difficult to live with the fear of the rug being pulled from under our feet. By the time I was reaching my adolescence; my parents saved enough to purchase a moving home. This was a very big step for us. When my parents moved to Penn-Dawn, this was the first time I had truly felt a sense of stability in terms of housing. These homes are accessible to many who struggle not only with housing insecurity but also financial instability. They are more than what most may see them as, for example transient or low quality homes. It is vital that not only we erase the stigma around this type of housing but also invest and protect mobile homes and those that call them their homes. We are around 90 families in the midst of a fast developing area and fear a developer will purchase our park. Afraid of the 60 days’ notice of sale and eviction, even if we work hard with our community, a non-profit and local government; our counter-offer won’t be taken into consideration. Please review and consider to pass bill 1397, which will give us an opportunity to own our park. Give us an opportunity towards home stability and protect us from displacement. Thank you.

Good Afternoon, I am Marinaela Funes, a Community Organizer with Tenants and Workers United. I have been working with The Mobile Home Coalition in South Fairfax for over three years. In the past three years I have seen how families have been displaced and how even though community members have been making huge efforts to get financial support from the local government, the community has not been taken into consideration when a Park is for sale by the property owner. I can recall some examples of this complex situation. 1- In December 2022 Harmony Place was one of the mobile homes In south Fairfax. Community residents got a 60 day notice about the sale of the property. It took them by surprise since the property owner denied many times that the park was for sale: In 60 days the residents formed a tenants association, looked for nonprofits to partner up with, and met with the local government and housing authorities to get their support. After so much work, the county and a nonprofit offered half a million more than the first buyer, but it wasn't enough to overcome the cost of the penalty clause. I remember that cold night when the park was sold, many community members and myself were crying. We felt so close and so far to making our dreams come true. To run the park by ourselves and preserve it as affordable. 2- At another Fairfax County park the seller refused to even consider an offer from the tenants because he had a contract with a buyer. Rays and Engleside Parks were sold in 2022 for $24.2 million. The situation was similar, residents got a 60 days notice of sale. In this time, the community created the Tenants association and found a nonprofit to support them. In this case the county was willing to support financially. However, the short notice and the overvalue of the property played against us. The assessed value of this park was only $8.1 million but the out of state company bought it for almost 25 million. It was impossible for the community to match this price. Current law says the park seller must make a public notice that the park is for sale, with any reasonable offers received, with the state DHCD, the locality, and the park residents. However, Owners do not publicize the sale until after they have signed a contract with a buyer that includes a penalty clause. HB1397 would eliminate the penalty amount from the match and would require the seller to negotiate in good faith with a tenant offer. HB1397 will make a huge impact for mobile home residents. This bill will give a chance to members to keep their homes affordable and protect them from displacement due to redevelopment or rent hikes. Thank you.

Northampton County is opposed to HB 1461. Short term rentals are a serious issue in the County and we feel it is an issue which is best dealt with by the locality. Thank you. Charles Kolakowski Northampton County Administrator

While the bill offers opportunities for economic growth and flexibility in property use, the town of Cape Charles has significant concerns about the specific language being proposed, particularly regarding its potential to create loopholes that undermine local rental duration requirements. The provision allowing third parties to lease properties long-term and then sublease them as short-term rentals could effectively circumvent established local regulations designed to maintain the balance between short-term tourism and long-term residential stability. This loophole not only threatens to negate legitimate local efforts to manage the character and dynamics of our neighborhoods but also poses a risk to the long-term housing market, potentially reducing the availability of long-term rentals needed by residents. Such an outcome would be contrary to the interests of the Cape Charles community, which relies on thoughtful and locally tailored regulations to ensure that growth and development are both sustainable and beneficial to all residents. Given these concerns, the town of Cape Charles strongly opposes the new language proposed in the bill. We believe it is essential to maintain local authority to enforce rental duration requirements and manage short-term rentals in a way that respects the needs and character of our community. We urge lawmakers to reconsider this aspect of the bill to prevent unintended consequences that could undermine the well-being of towns and cities across Virginia.

Attaching a letter in support of HB 1461, which would update Virginia’s existing code to give tenants equal access to short-term rental opportunities.

I oppose the wording of this proposed bill. Cape Charles restricts ADUs from being rented as STRs. With the proposed wording I can see where a homeowner renting long term an ADU in accordance with our ordinances, and the renter can turn around and rent as STRs which can reduce long-term rental stock in our community. This would happen in a tourism environment such as Cape Charles. We cannot afford to convert our by-right ADUs into STRs.

Good afternoon. I submitted an email in support of this legislation on January 16, 2024 (copied below). The only thing I would add is to suggest extending the period at the other end to November 1. Thank you, Joseph Azar From: Joseph Azar jazar2@icloud.com Subject: Support - Re: temperature data for April and May 2018-2023, Richmond Date: January 16, 2024 at 5:30 PM To: DelKKeys-Gamarra@house.virginia.gov Cc: Sheila Casey sheilakc@verizon.net Dear Delegate Keys-Gamarra, I understand from Sheila Casey (email thread below) that you may introduce a bill to require landlords to turn on the A/C in their buildings two weeks earlier—on May 1 instead of May 15. Please accept this email as my enthusiastic support for such a measure, even though I’m not a constituent. I rent an apartment on the top floor of a old 10-story brick building in Arlington. My unit is just beneath the roof, so that when the afternoon sun beats down on a warm day during that two-week shoulder period, the temperature inside builds up quickly, often topping 90 degrees. Nor does it drop below a few degrees overnight, even with the windows open. This has happened on quite a few occasions over the past several years and can be confirmed by the other tenants on my floor. I live alone, and at age 73, I’m concerned that this could a!ect my health. As Sheila wrote, it’s much easier to put on more clothing if it’s cold, or to use a $20 space heater. Portable A/C units, on the other hand, are much more expensive—and may not be allowed under our lease. I hope my personal experience can help support your bill. Please let me know if I can provide any more information. Many thanks for your initiative on this issue! Sincerely, Joseph Azar 1220 N. Pierce Street #904 Arlington, VA 22209 (703) 527-1443

Hello, I wanted to write to express my discontent with the current law requiring landlords to provide heat until May 1, and giving them until May 15 to turn on the AC. This new proposed bill by Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra is a welcome relief to my family and neighbors! I am in huge support of seeing a bill pass that would allow cooling (Air conditioning) starting on April 1, instead of the current May 15. As a renter in Reston, VA, (Reston resident for 4 years now) I DREAD the month of April and May each year. With our apartment complex being unable to turn on the AC until May 15, we sometimes have an entire month of temperatures above 80 degrees. I work from home so this means, all day and night, I get no relief from the heat for weeks at a time. It would mean a great deal to me to see HB1475 pass and put into law before the 80 degree days hit us in just a few short months. Thank you kindly for your time and consideration.