VLBC Statement on Announcement of the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program

From the VA Legislative Black Caucus:

VLBC Statement on Announcement of the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program

With evictions expected to rise nationally and with the housing instability crisis continuing to grow, the Governor’s announcement of The Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program is a significant first step in the right direction to provide much-needed relief to Virginians, especially with the added COVID-19-related economic impacts on housing and the economy.

“The Governor and his Administration assured us that they would focus on providing financial relief,” said VLBC Chairman Lamont Bagby (D-74th, Henrico). “Together, we look forward to doing more to address underlying systemic issues related to housing and doing more to help provide relief.”

This program will serve as needed infrastructure to help supplement ongoing eviction and housing relief efforts and serve as a catalyst for additional efforts that must occur to tackle these evolving issues.

In step with this program, we call on the Chief Judges in each circuit to refrain from acting on pending eviction proceedings. We request that every judicial circuit institute a local eviction moratorium to keep people in their homes—especially during a global pandemic.

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The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) is made up of 23 members in the Virginia General Assembly. VLBC is committed to improving the economic, educational, political, and social conditions of African Americans and underrepresented groups in Virginia. A vital part of VLBC’s mission is to raise the consciousness of other groups to the contributions made by African Americans to the Commonwealth and the Nation.