Housing & Homelessness
Reduce homelessness and increase the availability of low-cost housing.
In FY 2002, 43% of persons/families requesting shelter were denied due to lack of space.
During FY 2002, 32% of persons in shelters were children.
Over 50% of those entering shelters are employed full time but are financially unable to move from homelessness to housing.
Average rent for a two -bedroom apartment in Virginia is 69% of the income of the typical family moving from welfare to work, more than twice the standard housing budget (30% of total income).
Over 66% of homeless assistance funding (not including enormous volunteer hours) comes from already over-extended nongovernmental sources. Only 3.9% comes from State General Fund.
We will support:
Rental assistance, based on the difference between housing budget (30% of income) and Fair Market Rent.
The rights of low-income tenants.
Adequate state funding for emergency and transitional shelters.
Private and public funding for the Virginia Priority Housing Fund.
Related Federal Issues:
The National Housing Trust Fund
HUD funding for homeless assistance and housing vouchers.
The inclusion of lack of housing as a barrier to employment when calculating TANF benefits.
|
