Evictions in Virginia: What should you tell your friends when they ask you about it.
Princeton's Eviction Lab reported that Virginia has 5 of the top 10 highest eviction rates in the country. It doesn't really matter if the math is correct or not because the media storm has hit and we must now begin the process of rebuilding and educating.
What is the real story behind evictions?
1. Evictions are a result, not a cause. Some part of a lease needs to be violated before an eviction can proceed.
2. What are the actual causes of a lease breach that could lead to eviction. The number one clause is non-payment of rent. This could be the result of many things, the largest of which is the stagnation of wages. A person working 40 hours a week for 52 weeks a year at $7.25 (federal minimum wage) per hour only makes $15,080.00 per year. That is $1256.00 per month. While this may be enough to actually pay the rent, eating, health care and actually getting to and from work will be a serious problem.
3. Building more affordable housing is NOT just the job of private business and it is NOT easy. Every level of government and most important, the public must participate in the process. Local Government may pay lip service too the idea of affordable housing construction but elected officials and zoning officials do not end up actually voting for affordable housing apartments. Construction costs are also at an all time high across the nation and materials prices go up regularly. It is not uncommon for an affordable housing project that actually gets approval to be 10% - 20% more expensive than anticipated due to delays and increases in costs.
4. Residents often do no know their rights and responsibilities. Being a good renter is a skill that needs to be taught and learned. Resident education must become a priority for resonsible rental managers.
VAMA will continue to work with local advocacy groups to help develop ideas and solve problems. If you are interested in participating in a VAMA work group, please email elena@vamaonline.org.