Dear ,

I’ll be at my sister’s house for the Thanksgiving dinner and holidays – sharing cooking, too much eating, and fun family time. Going “home” – to someone’s home – is part of many people’s holiday tradition.

But having a home – a house or apartment with some permanence – is increasingly challenging in Virginia. As many of us give thanks this season, we must also remember those who are struggling to pay rent and those who would like to own a home but see that American dream passing them by.

This past Friday, Governor Youngkin unveiled his “Make Virginia Home” plan. We are thrilled to see his commitment to increasing the supply of attainable, affordable, and accessible housing.

His plan calls for 1) increasing the supply of land for housing, 2) removing regulatory barriers to housing development, and 3) aligning housing development with economic growth. VICPP will likely support many of the Governor’s proposals, although we will need to see the actual bills. The “devil’s in the details” on housing policy, but we are encouraged and eager to see the final details. VICPP is exploring if we might assist in encouraging congregations to consider any land or buildings they own that might be used for affordable housing.

Because most of the Governor’s proposals will take a few years to implement, VICPP believes we need additional investments in affordable housing that can address the immediate crises for families with low incomes. Last year, there were many affordable housing projects that sought money from the Virginia Housing Trust fund that were denied funding. We support the Virginia Housing Alliance’s call for $75 million more into the Housing Trust Fund. We also know most families with low incomes are renters and with skyrocketing rents, families are struggling. VICPP supports a budget proposal to implement the rental voucher program, the Housing Stability Fund. And we support more money for the Virginia Eviction Reduction Program (VERP) that has successfully demonstrated the ability to stop families from being evicted by helping with short-term grants. Getting evicted is costly for families and taxpayers. Here’s VICPP Affordable Housing Fact Sheet.

This holiday, after you have your turkey and pumpkin pie (or whatever your tradition may be), please take a few minutes to write to the Governor, thanking him for his Make Virginia Home plan and urging him to put money for the Housing Trust Fund, rental assistance, and eviction reduction in his budget. There are two ways to communicate with the Governor:

• Write the Governor a personal letter.
  If you have the time over the holidays, this would be the most effective approach. His address is: Governor Glenn Younkin, P.O. Box 1475, Richmond, VA 23218.
• Submit comments to the Governor using his online form at:
  https://www.governor.virginia.gov/communicating-with-the-governors-office/
  

We are also asking clergy and religious leaders to sign our Religious Leaders Statement on Affordable Housing. Click HERE to sign the statement or get the URL to forward to religious leaders you know.

Thanksgiving is a time to be home. Let’s take a few minutes to help everyone in Virginia have a home. Thank you again for all you do to make Virginia a better place for all.

 


Gratefully yours,

Kim Bobo
Executive Director

Subcontracted Dulles (IAD) and National (DCA) airport workers are living in one of the most expensive areas in the nation while making less than the Washington, D.C. minimum wage. Many have lost their lives due to COVID-19 and/or the lack of access to health care.

VICPP's report, 'Subcontracted, Not Second Class' (click HERE to read it) further highlights the need for workers to have affordable employer-provided healthcare, paid sick leave, and livable wages.

The Metro Washington Airport Authority (MWAA) has the ability to set a standard that would allow workers to protect themselves, their families, and airline passengers. VICPP has sent this report and recommendations to MWAA but has yet to receive a response.

It is time for action. Join members of SEIU 32BJ, elected officials, and people of faith on December 8 for a rally to support subcontracted workers' demands.

Where: US Capitol Grounds, First St. SE, Washington D.C. 20004 (exact meeting location to come)
When: Thursday, December 8 @ 3:30 pm

Click the button below to register!

We are bringing back our Social Media Team this year. We are asking for volunteers who will agree to post daily (Monday through Friday) during the General Assembly using a draft posting we will send you. This is very effective so rally up everyone you can and sign up! A massive thank you to those of you who have already signed up! If you can help with the Social Media Team, email Director of Communications, Ayesha Taylor, at: AyeshaGT@virginiainterfaithcenter.org
You can also click the button below to do so.

Join VICPP at the General Assembly to advocate social justice on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023! We're so excited to be back in-person for our flagship advocacy day in 2023! 
 
Register before December 31 to receive early bird pricing ($30)! The price for tickets purchased after January 1, 2023 will automatically go up to $40.

Find more information and all updates at:
tinyurl.com/dfap2023

Or click the button below.

Questions? Email: AyeshaGT@virginiainterfaithcenter.org

Students of Virginia -- Join us to learn the legislative process in Virginia and how to advocate with your elected representatives! Come into Richmond Thursday evening (Feb. 2) for dinner with legislators, an overview of how to lobby, and a social time. Friday morning (Feb. 3), we will start the day with an opportunity to meet with your representatives in the General Assembly. Afterwards, we will have lunch and workshops on how to bring advocacy to campus, and standing up for justice in various spheres. Keep an eye out for workshop registrations coming soon! 

* Bonus: We're working with some universities for professors to offer class credit when you attend this event! Check with your professor to find out if you qualify*

Questions? Email VICPP New Leadership Development Organizer Dr. Terri Erwin at: Terri@virginiainterfaithcenter.org

Click the button below for event info and to register!

This prison is such a mess! Virginia can do better. We urge Secretary of Homeland Security Bob Mosier and Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Director Harold Clarke to cancel the contract with The GEO Group and return management of this prison to the Department of Corrections. Click the button below to use our simple automated system to email VADOC Director Clarke. Use our template message or write your own.

#GivingTuesday promotes #RadicalGenerosity and is this coming Tuesday. We need your support to add momentum to the movement to end injustice and inequality. 

In a little over a month, we head to the General Assembly to continue to fight for racial, social, and economic justice, one policy at a time. Help us meet our $10,000 goal by Tuesday to make sure we have the resources to build upon our past victories and confront some of our nation’s current travesties. 

As we kick off the holiday season, consider helping VICPP help all Virginians with your end of year giving. You can donate online by clicking the button below. Here's a shortened link to share with your congregation, campus, coworkers, and community: tinyurl.com/vicppGivingTuesday2022

#InThisTogether #AllFaithsBelieveInJustice #vicpp 

The 2022-2023 Holiday Advocacy Calendar is ready for sharing! Our team has put together an interfaith calendar marking the festivities of the next few months, along with a series of actions you can take to make sure justice plays a role in your celebrations. Please share widely, in your congregation’s newsletter or bulletin boards, and with friends. Check it out and enjoy the festivities! Simply click the button below and be sure to share the link!

VICPP's Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to review the organization's accomplishments, its finances, its staff and board members, and its future directions. All members are invited to participate. The meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom, so people from all over the Commonwealth can participate.

For a more comprehensive list of upcoming events, please click the button below to check out the VICPP Events webpage.  

VICPP Executive Director Kim Bobo quoted in:

Housing advocates like some of what they've seen in Youngkin's housing plan, but want to see more

Radio IQ / WVTF / NPR, Nov, 22, 2022

By Michael Pope

Excerpt:

"Currently an awful lot of the zoning laws in Virginia keep out affordable housing," Bobo says. "So they don't allow multi-family units on particular kind of land. Or they allow local communities to decide they don't want affordable housing and you have so many frankly wealthy folks who will oppose any form of affordable housing."

VICPP Faith Organizer Sheila Herlihy quoted in:

Tax Code Thunderstruck in Alexandria
Lawmakers consider easing bracket creep by making tax code more progressive.

Connection Newspapers / Alexandria Gazette Packet, Nov. 17, 2022

By Michael Pope 

Excerpt:

"The General Assembly is likely to talk about increasing tax relief, but more important and more key to people on the ground is housing relief," said Sheila Herlihy, an organizer with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. "We don't need another study to tell us that one in three Virginia families are struggling to pay for housing, and we need to allocate resources to support them."
 

Some restrictions eased at Lawrenceville prison; concerns remain

Richmond Free Press, Nov. 17, 2022

By George Copeland Jr.