Fair Housing Law; unlawful discriminatory housing practices. (HB1280)
Introduced By
Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Virginia Fair Housing Law; unlawful discriminatory housing practices. Provides that it is an unlawful discriminatory housing practice for any political jurisdiction or its employees or appointed commissions to discriminate in the application of local land use ordinances or guidelines, or in the permitting of housing developments, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, handicap, or because the housing development contains or is expected to contain affordable housing units occupied or intended for occupancy by families or individuals with incomes at or below 80 percent of the median income of the area where the housing development is located or is proposed to be located. The bill also requires the Fair Housing Board, after consultation with the Attorney General, instead of issuing a charge for a violation, to immediately refer the matter to the Attorney General for civil action in the appropriate circuit court for appropriate relief. Amends § 36-96.17, § 36-96.3, of the Code of Virginia. Read the Bill »
Outcome
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/20/2010 | Committee |
| 01/20/2010 | Presented and ordered printed 10103730D |
| 01/20/2010 | Referred to Committee on General Laws |
| 02/10/2010 | Assigned GL sub: #1 Housing |
| 02/10/2010 | Subcommittee recommends passing by with letter |
| 02/11/2010 | Passed by in General Laws with letter |
Comments
The Virginia Interfaith Center strongly supports this bill because families at all income levels deserve a safe, decent, affordable place to call home in a community that offers quality of life enhancing opportunities like good schools, healthy food, jobs, and transportation. NIMBYs ("Not in My Backyard") often block these opportunities, so this bill ensures that affordable housing development is a fair process, not blocked by the loudest uninformed voice.
See http://www.learnprayblog.org/2010/01/nimbyism/#more-108
for more.