Progress for Public Housing Residents, Manufactured Homeowners, and First-Time Buyers

Thanks to VPLC’s advocacy, several important housing measures were signed into law during this year’s General Assembly session:

More Fairness for Public Housing Tenants
Tenants living in public housing now have better protections. Judges are now authorized to allow public housing tenants to appeal their eviction cases without posting a cash bond.
Public housing authorities also can’t charge repair fees unless the tenant caused the damage. And when a tenant falls behind on rent, they’ll now receive a clearly marked notice — printed on pink or orange paper — with information on how to recertify their income and avoid eviction.

Support for Mobile Home Communities
The state will invest $5 million from surplus funds generated through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) — a carbon-reduction program paid for by polluting power plants — to help nonprofit housing groups and resident organizations buy mobile home parks. This protects residents from displacement and keeps housing affordable.

Help for First-Time Homebuyers
Another $5 million from RGGI surplus funds will go toward down payment assistance for first-time buyers with very low incomes, helping them purchase energy-efficient homes and build long-term financial stability.