The Institute is conducting research regarding Source of Income Protections, as well as how property managers are adjusting to these protections to benefit long-term stability in residents.
Expanding Housing Choice: Source of Income Protections in Virginia
On July 1, 2020, Virginia became the 19th state to pass Source of Funds (also known as source of income) protections by adding it to the list of Virginia’s protected housing classes. After almost a decade of advocacy from stakeholders across the Commonwealth, the passage of this legislation signified a commitment to ensuring that renters assisted by Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) can move to quality communities of their choice.
Passing source of income protection is a critical first step in combatting the discrimination HCV holders encounter as they search for quality rental housing in the private market, but enacted bill language alone is not a panacea. This important recent achievement does, however, present an opportunity to examine successes or failures in implementing similar legislation across the country, engage landlords to understand their awareness of the new protections, and further barriers that impact voucher holders to build a stronger framework for implementation in Virginia.
Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, in partnership with the Inclusivity Institute, conducted a study with the aim of using the findings to help Virginia deliver on the promise of enhanced housing mobility and choice for voucher holders.
