CREATING SYSTEMIC CHANGE THROUGH PROGRAMMING AND POLICY

MARIAH WILLIAMS, MURP

DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND RESEARCH

HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES MADE EQUAL (HOME) OF VIRGINIA

LEADERSHIP METRO RICHMOND (LMR) 2020

PROGRAMS AND HOUSING POLICY

Move to Opportunity Program and Combatting Source of Income Discrimination

City of Richmond Voluntary Eviction Diversion Program and Addressing the Systemic Impact

of Evictions throughout the City and State

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THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM

NATIONAL

The nation’s largest rental assistance program.

Helps more than 5 million people in 2.2 million low-income families afford housing in the private market

Race/Ethnicity

Black/African-Americans - 48%

Non-Hispanic White – 31%

Hispanic – 18%

Gender

Female head of household w/children – 79%

Disability– 36%

VIRGINIA

Approximately 113,200 people, or 46,300 households) use vouchers

10,500 seniors, 24,600 people with disabilities, and 22,700 families with 49,300 children.

Race/Ethnicity

Black/African-Americans - 70%

Non-Hispanic White – 23%

Hispanic – 4%

Gender

Female head of household w/children – 43%

Disability– 35%

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Source: HUD Picture of Subsidized Households

MOVE TO OPPORTUNITY DEMONSTRATION

The MTO demonstration was authorized by the U.S. Congress in section 152 of the Housing and

Community Development Act of 1992.

In 1994, HUD launched MTO to test whether offering housing vouchers to families living in public housing

projects in high-poverty neighborhoods of large inner cities could improve their lives and the lives of their

children by allowing them to move to lower-poverty neighborhoods.

10-year research demonstration that combines tenant-based rental assistance with housing counseling to

help very low-income families move from poverty-stricken urban areas to low-poverty neighborhoods.

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HOME OF VA MOVE TO OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

HOME of VA Move to Opportunity Program

▪ Work with voucher holders one on one to help prepare you for the transition.

▪ Educate and train who may not be familiar with Housing Choice Vouchers. We provide guidance through the leasing process, ensure necessary documentation is completed, and make sure the lease is fair.

▪ Work with housing providers to ensure any problems or concerns are addressed.

▪ Assist money management, credit recovery, and even help you plan for future homeownership.

▪ Continue to check in and provide assistance & supportive services where needed.

▪ No cost to participate5

The families that

completed the Mobility

Program on average moved to

neighborhoods of opportunity

with a 17% poverty rate.

ADDRESSING THE BARRIERS HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER HOLDERS FACE

• Re-concentration of poverty

• Racially/socio-economically

segregated communities

• Challenging misperceptions and

negative stereotypes

• Refusal to accept vouchers

CHOICES CONSTRAINED (2012)

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VIRGINIA’S NEW SOURCE OF INCOME PROTECTIONS

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2020 SOURCE OF INCOME WAS ADDED TO VIRGINIA'S FAIR HOUSING LAW AS A PROTECTED CLASS.

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ADDITIONAL POLICY IMPLICATIONS

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Minimizing additional financial barriers for voucher holders

Adopting Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs)

CITY OF RICHMOND VOLUNTARY EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAM

(EDP)

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the number of evictions of low-income individuals and families from their residential dwelling units for failure to pay rent.

Reduce

the displacement of families from their homes and the resulting adverse consequences related to social inequities and chronic school absenteeism.

Minimize

the financial impact on families, landlords, and communities who must deal with the aftermath of an eviction.

Diminish

In September 2019, the City of Richmond City Council

approved funding for city residents that fall behind on rent due

to unforeseen circumstances and have an unlawful detainer

filed against them by their landlord.

Partners include Central Virginia Legal Aid (CVLAS) and

Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) and probono

attorneys.

VIRGINIA’S ANTI-EVICTION POLICIES/LEGISLATION

Existing Legislation

Caps Late Payment of Rent, Restrictions (HB 1420)

Establishment of Eviction Diversion Pilot Program

HB 5111/SB 5051 (D-Cole) Va. Residential Landlord & Tenant Act; temporary prohibition against termination of rent. agreement.

HB 5106 (Delegate Cole) – Negative Credit Information

Future Legislation

Eviction Record Sealing and/or Expungement

Addressing Blanket Ban Eviction Policies

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AND OF COURSE…

More affordable housing!!!

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