Statement: Anti-Rent Gouging Legislation a Missed Opportunity
Statement from Allies for Housing Action, Legal Aid Justice Center, and New Virginia Majority
This week, as bills cross over from one legislative body to the other in the process of passage into law, Allies for Housing Action, Legal Aid Justice Center, and New Virginia Majority celebrate many great pieces of legislation moving forward that will protect and empower Virginia’s renters. Unfortunately, one piece of legislation is not crossing over: anti-rent gouging.
This powerful and popular policy would have given local governments the ability to protect their renters from predatory rent increases. We have been advocating for this legislation since Delegate Nadarius E. Clark’s first introduction in 2022 and Senator Jennifer B. Boysko’s in 2023. Every year, the legislation has gained momentum, and each year, as rents continue to increase drastically, it becomes more and more important. And yet, once again, both versions failed to progress, despite tremendous support. Hundreds of renters from across the Commonwealth, dozens of advocacy groups ranging from the Virginia Education Association to Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, local governments from Roanoke City to Loudoun County, and over thirty state legislators all stood in support of this vital protection for Virginia renters.
These bills were instead sent to the Virginia Housing Commission (VHC) to be studied. In a year of crisis where affordability was top of mind for everyone, this is not the outcome we hoped for. Delayed action means another year of abusive rent increases, burdened budgets, mass displacement, and increased homelessness. Still, we recognize this referral to the Virginia Housing Commission is a meaningful step towards all stakeholders better understanding this policy and its many benefits. We look forward to working with the VHC and all the relevant stakeholders to conduct a comprehensive review of the efficacy and best practices of rent regulation, and how it will make Virginia even stronger.
Given the General Assembly process is often not accessible to working-class Virginians, we are especially eager to ensure tenants’ voices are heard and centered in the VHC process. No study on how this policy will affect tenants can be effective without learning directly from tenants themselves. Similarly, local governments must also have a seat at the table to provide vital input on how rent regulation will be implemented, given the diversity of local housing needs and local government structures.
We’d like to thank everyone who has and continues to support this effort, including the fearless bill patrons, Delegate Clark and Senator Boysko. Special gratitude goes to the renters who have given their time, energy, and voices to continue this fight. We are committed to bringing these bills back each year until they are signed into law. As the bill progresses through the VHC, please stay informed and stay involved.
Allies for Housing Action (AHA!) coalition uses organizing, education, research, and advocacy tools to empower tenants and their allies to build a Commonwealth where all Virginians can access fair, high-quality, and affordable housing of their choice.
Legal Aid Justice Center partners with communities and clients to fight for racial, social, and economic justice. Together, we are dismantling systems that create and perpetuate poverty.
New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color across VA. We organize in communities year-round for racial, economic, and environmental justice through political education, voter outreach, and leadership development around dozens of issues.
