Housing Affordability Platform

The Virginia Young Democrats recognizes that housing, much like food, water, and health care, is a basic need for all human beings. For this reason, we re-affirm our belief that access to quality affordable housing is one of the most important issues facing Virginians, and young people in particular.

We acknowledge that bringing about quality, affordable housing will require cooperation on the part of federal, state, and local governments. We urge Congress to continue to approve funding for housing programs including the Community Development Block Grant, which is the nation's most basic source of funds for housing and community development that were targeted for cuts and even elimination in recent years by Republicans in Congress. We support efforts by towns and cities to draft and adopt strategies and incentives that promote the development of affordable housing units for young professionals, students, and young families. We vigorously oppose attempts by towns and cities to pass zoning laws that exclude affordable housing development or restrict specific groups, particularly college students, from renting freely.

We recognize that quality housing and affordable housing are not exclusive terms, and that both goals can be achieved through public-private partnerships. We support encouraging privately-owned and operated affordable living facilities to maintain reasonable monthly rates or to establish rent control, to be increased only on an inflationary basis. We understand that private housing owners who strive to keep living affordable for those they rent to, are sacrificing profits and competiveness to do so, and should be assisted in their efforts through grants and tax breaks. We believe that the efforts of private and public developers to build properties in which multiple economic groups live together should be supported. We strongly advocate strict regulations regarding structural and tenant safety in all affordable housing units.

We affirm our belief that affordable housing should not be denied to anyone on account of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, mental or physical challenges, national origin, or economic hardship. We advocate for thorough investigation of housing discrimination complaints, as well as vigorous enforcement of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity laws. We support policies that allow access to affordable housing for low and moderate-income individuals, including funding for income-sensitive housing.

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