We often hear that tenants are the problem when it comes to evictions and that landlord harassment only comes from a few “bad apples,” but we witness many landlords taking advantage of low-income Virginians through our Eviction Legal Helpline. The Eviction Spotlight series seeks to shed light on these stories. Tara*, a section 8 voucher […]
VPLC’s 2019 Legislative ReviewWith another General Assembly session behind us and the dust settled after this month’s veto session, here is a review of what occurred during the 2019 legislative session. This year brought several wins—foster care reform, fairer laws for tenants in the wake of a report detailing Virginia’s high eviction rates, and the end of driver’s […]
Eviction Spotlight: Chesterfield mother of three faces writ of possession executed against judgmentWe often hear that tenants are the problem when it comes to evictions and that landlord harassment only comes from a few “bad apples,” but we witness many landlords taking advantage of low-income Virginians through our Eviction Legal Helpline. The Eviction Spotlight series seeks to shed light on these stories. Laura’s* most recent Unlawful Detainer […]
Surviving domestic and sexual violence while undocumented: one woman’s storyApril is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). To learn more, visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Ana* met her husband online through a Christian dating website. He was charming, handsome, and seemed to adore her when they first met. After they married, all that changed. Her husband became manipulative, jealous, and controlling. He began […]
Seven new laws that will help renters sleep easierRenting your home from someone else isn’t always easy, especially when you’re living paycheck to paycheck. When an emergency car repair eats half your monthly rent money, you have to beg and borrow the other half in time to avoid eviction. If your landlord doesn’t fix the hot water heater or replace the broken steps […]
Eviction Spotlight: Getting evicted after reporting sexual assaultWe often hear that tenants are the problem when it comes to evictions and that landlord harassment only comes from a few “bad apples,” but we witness many landlords taking advantage of low-income Virginians through our Eviction Legal Helpline. The Eviction Spotlight series seeks to shed light on these stories. Mary*, a 70-year-old woman renting […]
Solving the mobile home park problemOn Sunday’s Last Week Tonight, John Oliver shed light on an issue we’ve long been working on in Virginia: improving the conditions of mobile home parks. These communities, which offer affordable home-ownership and autonomy, have great potential—if we hold accountable the private owners who routinely exploit them. Life in the Park On a typical morning, […]
Eviction Spotlight: Getting evicted after going to the pressWe often hear that tenants are the problem when it comes to evictions and that landlord harassment only comes from a few “bad apples,” but we witness many landlords taking advantage of low-income Virginians through our Eviction Legal Helpline. The Eviction Spotlight series seeks to shed light on these stories. Darrin Perry, a single father […]
General Assembly reconvenes for veto sessionToday, the General Assembly reconvenes for its annual “veto session,” when lawmakers vote on Governor Northam’s amendments and vetoes of bills that passed during the legislative session earlier this year. The legislators accept or reject the amendments and sustain or override the vetoes. Some key issues we’re monitoring this year include the Governor’s veto of […]
Promoting Consent for Sexual Assault Awareness MonthApril is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). This year’s theme for SAAM is “I Ask,” championing the message that asking for consent is a healthy, normal, and necessary part of everyday interactions. Sexual Assault is Widespread Nearly one in five women in the US have experienced rape or attempted rape at some point in […]
Eviction Spotlight: Virginia passed legislation this year to reduce evictions, but the problem is far from solved.We often hear that tenants are the problem when it comes to evictions and that landlord harassment only comes from a few “bad apples,” but we witness many landlords taking advantage of low-income Virginians through our Eviction Legal Helpline. The Eviction Spotlight series seeks to shed light on these stories. In Wise County, a mother […]
Top tips for getting your finances on trackApril is National Financial Literacy Month, a perfect time to get—and keep—your finances in order. Here are a few tips to get you started. Create a budget. Assessing how much money you bring in and how much you spend is the first step toward gaining control of your finances. This is an opportunity to be […]