This guidance document seeks to define rent in a way other than what is listed in the VRLTA.
This guidance document promotes illegal discrimination by requiring that individuals be treated differently based on their source of income. The document demands that one class of "funds" requires wholly separate treatment than other sources of funds. Applicants tell us all the time that people with "help" with the rent - why do only housing choice voucher recipients get different treatment?
This document does not take into account lease obligations other than rent. If suggested calculations are used, an applicant could qualify without any income whatsoever if the voucher covers 100% of the rent. A lease has other obligations such as keeping utilities running and maintaining the property. Property managers have to be able to evaluate applicant ability to meet all lease obligations, not just rent.
This document is also incomplete and does not address other types of funds such as gift letters, offer letters, etc...
This document goes against the stated intent of Delegate Bourne who testified multiple times in front of the general assembly that this bill did not address vouchers and that property managers would not have to do anything different. Del. Bourne was begged to include an amendment that would have made the bill apply to housing choice vouchers specifically but refused the amendment indicating it was not what the bill was about.
Please develop a guidance document that does not violate current law and addresses all the issues that can come up with this vague bill.