HJ696: Residential dwelling units;Housing Commission to study overcrowding and its impact on neighborhoods.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 696
Offered January 10, 2007
Prefiled January 10, 2007
Directing the Virginia Housing Commission to study overcrowding of residential dwelling units and its impact on neighborhoods and localities. Report.
Patron-- Miller, J.H.

Referred to Committee on Rules

WHEREAS, overcrowding of residential dwelling units is a problem found in many neighborhoods throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, such overcrowding can be a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of a community; and

WHEREAS, the negative impacts of such overcrowding can lead to the decline of entire neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, localities find that they do not always have the legal tools necessary to deal with the worsening problem of overcrowding of residential dwelling units; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Virginia Housing Commission be directed to study overcrowding of residential dwelling units and its impact on neighborhoods and localities.

In conducting its study, the Commission shall examine (i) the impacts of residential overcrowding on neighborhoods and localities, (ii) innovative solutions to help localities deal with the negative impacts of such overcrowding, and (iii) ways in which zoning, building code, and fire safety code laws may be strengthened to help localities protect its residents.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission for this study, upon request.

The Virginia Housing Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2007, and the Chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2008 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Virginia Housing Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.