Stay Current on Government Affairs

Congress is Coming Back: Make the Industry Heard

Congress is returning in July to once again attempt to hammer out an aid package extension that will cover past the end of July. More rent relief is needed, and the specter of a renewed eviction moratorium looms over this industry. It is vital that you add your voice to tell our federal representatives that they must help this industry to support renters. Click here to send a message.

 

Rent and Mortgage Relief Program

The Rent and Mortgage Relief Program is now up and running. This program, created by the Northam Administration with funds appropriated by the CARES Act, is funded at 50 million dollars currently, and is providing direct payments to landlords on behalf of qualifying renters. Currently, through July 20, priority is being given to those at or below 50% of Area Median Income, and those who are most quickly facing eviction. You can find out more about the program at this link.

 

New Laws, July 1

Many new laws went into effect on July 1, as a result of the 2020 General Assembly Session. Laws that have now changed include notice requirements, late fee limits, new documents for leasing and eviction, and more. Find out how these laws are going to affect your business here.

 

Eviction Diversion Programs

New mandatory eviction diversion programs are now operational in Hampton, Danville, Petersburg, and Richmond. These programs seek to provide a framework for a payment arrangement to bring a tenant in arrears back current while avoiding the issuance of a Judgement of Possession. Beth Godwin-Jones, a practicing attorney in Richmond, details what she has learned from the pilot to these new mandatory programs that has been running in Richmond since late last year. You can watch the interview here.

 

Source of Funds – In Effect July 1, 2020

Starting on July 1, Virginia’s Fair Housing Act includes ‘source of funds’ as a protected class. This means that you may no longer deny an application for the reason that the applicant is using a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher. While you will be able to screen voucher applicants to the same criteria that they do market-rate applicants on topics like criminal history, credit, and income, starting July 1, you will no longer be able to say “we don’t take Section 8,” without risking action by the Fair Housing Board. Find out what you can do to protect your business and comply with the new law.