Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Housing and Community Development
 
Board
Board of Housing and Community Development
 
Guidance Document Change: Virginia Homeless and Special Needs Housing Funding Guidelines 2022-2024

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2/15/22  5:07 am
Commenter: Marion Battle

Say No to Politics in Housing
 

You should remove the offensive statements pertaining to Anti-Racism and White Supremacy in this document. One example is below: 

"Statement of Commitment to Anti-Racism Persons of color disproportionately experience homelessness and housing instability. When the HSNH unit states its mission of ensuring homelessness is rare, brief, and one-time, we must be explicit in our understanding of who is most impacted by the trauma of homelessness and strive to see more clearly the root causes of this injustice. The HSNH unit is committed to both recognizing racism as it exists in our systems and societal structures and developing and implementing strategies and best practices aimed at dismantling racial injustice within all aspects of our unit, grant funding programs, and service provision. This effort must include the employment of a racial equity lens, valuing the voices of marginalized communities, and supporting our community partners’ effort to uplift these voices that are traditionally silenced. As our unit continues this work, we will endeavor to continually recognize the ways in which violence and white supremacy, both covertly and overtly, impact members of our unit, our partners, and those we serve."

You certainly can address any perceived or real related issues with language which is not divisive in of itself. Just make a statement that you endeavor to provide fair and equitable housing opportunities for ALL eligible persons regardless of race, gender, disability, etc. and then actually follow your own words in auditable actions. Promise to internally ensure your own organization is engaging in fully fair practices for all. 

CommentID: 119246