The Affordable Housing Program (ADU) in the north of the state of Virginia has different conditions according to the counties that comprise it.[1], not only in terms of number and types of housing; but also in terms of amounts and qualification criteria.
In parallel, all parents make great efforts in the midst of the highest inflation in the last thirty years to maintain or choose the best place to live; according to their income, which ensures relative proximity to their jobs, and at the same time allows their children to access their studies. Therefore, it is important that all counties have affordable housing for the working class in their territories, reducing the displacement of families due to income differences.
Boards of Supervisors, including local government management teams, are responsible for finding solutions that are appropriate to the needs of each county. Effective solutions and complying with the law. Not makeup solutions that cover the problem, generating a feeling of injustice and frustration of some community more than another. That is why, the better the criteria are refined; In addition to expanding the resources, the objective will be achieved without distinction between communities[2].
In this article I give an account of the public hearing of the board of supervisors held on Wednesday of this week, where various people and organizations were able to present what we thought about it. Both individuals and groups participated; among them one of the lively fighters members of the Hispanic community, who under the name of the New Virginia Majority (NVM for its acronym in English) and identifying their leaders with an orange t-shirt. They showed their unity and readiness; In addition, they come ready to conquer their objectives. You can see them in the photo that frames this article.
Attention-grabbing contradictions were exposed, such as: Why does the county require a school photo ID to recognize household members? If our children’s academic merits cannot be offered to have scores and access to housing; o Why does the county ask where the main applicants live, and if at least one of them works within Loudoun County? If no better score or priority can be obtained when all members of the same household are those who live and work within the county. How they see things that don’t make sense.
The public hearing unfolded not only normally; I would rather say that it was very enjoyable because of the interventions, and because the members of the New Virginia Majority displayed signs and waved their hands, in the form of silent applause, when they heard the interventions that they shared. I was able to listen to really interesting cases and proposals; as surprising and moving interventions. All those who participated did so with high esteem and clarity; but above all with great pride and courage in doing so.
Listen to interventions without asking for gifts. Just by making your voice heard in accordance with the principles we share in America. For this reason, it is striking that a county that invests or spends 15 thousand dollars per student per year; Regardless of race, skin color, immigration status, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs, it does not maintain the same criteria for its working population and their families to access affordable housing.
Economists know that it is not only a matter of resources to show that, from the government, everyone is treated equally and in the best possible way, within the always scarce economic resources. In particular, also state that “We,” the county and parents, are partners in our children’s future because the county is investing taxpayer dollars today to ensure future welfare and taxes. For this reason, working families receive help from the administration to have more houses included in the ADU program, additional financial resources; like those coming from ARPA for example[3]and better scoring criteria to access the program.
New Virginia Majority leaders have identified that there is a long waiting list and access problems because the program in Loudoun is not only financially inadequate, but also poorly structured. Therefore, they propose that:
1) The county must increase its annual investment to $12 million to better meet existing housing needs.
2) The county must use its funds to create housing solutions for working-class families earning less than 40% AMI ($56,950 for a family of 4)
3) All county housing programs must be accessible to all, regardless of immigration status, including the rental assistance program currently under development.
I dismiss this article, wishing the New Virginia Majority success in their work and informing you that more details of the support of the proposal and its activities can be found on your Fan Page[4]. To our readers, do not miss the celebration that they have planned this Wednesday for Women’s Day.
#Affordable Housing #MiVivienda #TechoPropio #JusticiaSocial #PanConLibertad
[1] Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince Williams County. As well as the independent cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, and Manassas Park; as well as the “Towns” of Dumfries, Herndon, Vienna, Leesburg and Purcellville.
[2] https://www.loudoun.gov/1813/Affordable-Dwelling-Unit-Program
https://www.pwcva.gov/department/zoning-administration/affordable-dwelling-unit-ordinance
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/housing/homeownership/programs
https://www.arlingtonva.us/About-Arlington/Newsroom/Articles/2023/Presupuesto-Propuesto-AF-2024-Responde-a-Prioridades-Comunitarias
[4] https://www.facebook.com/newvirginiamajority/videos/4728511783940014
