The Waynesboro chapter of Virginia Organizing held a press conference on Monday, calling on Governor Glenn Youngkin to sign several bills related to housing. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
[light traffic, people talking]
Now that the General Assembly has adjourned and Youngkin is considering the bills passed by the state legislature, Virginia Organizing members are advocating for seven pieces of legislation that bolster tenants' rights. The Waynesboro chapter of the grassroots group gathered downtown with signs on Monday afternoon.
Organizer Savannah Fersner said some of the bills will help renters facing eviction.
SAVANNAH FERSNER: We in Waynesboro really care about protecting renters' rights, and a big way to do so in Virginia is by preventing evictions. … For instance, there's HB 598, which would extend the grace period for late rent payments for 14 days, and there's also HB 73, which would allow dismissed eviction actions to be expunged from renters' records.
Several of the bills passed on tight margins, and Youngkin has directed the Department of Housing and Community Development to analyze those that would modify the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Organizer Connie Wright-Zink explained that includes House Bill 597, which allows localities to take problem landlords to court over safety hazards in their rentals.
CONNIE WRIGHT-ZINK: I think Governor Youngkin is trying to throw roadblocks in front of a lot of stuff, so we'll just keep, you know, pestering him about it. [chuckles]
The press conference was one of 10 events the organization has planned across the state this week.
