RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Data shows that providing children with stability at home is imperative to set them up for success in life.
That’s why a bipartisan group of lawmakers is hoping to provide rental assistance to families in Virginia to make sure every kid in the Commonwealth has a roof over their head.
“There is not a Sunday that goes by that a mom doesn’t walk into our church doors and ask about if we are able to help with rent,” said Delegate Carrie Coyner (R-Chesterfield).
A bill proposed in this year’s General Assembly session would create what advocates are calling the “5000 Families Pilot Program.” The program would provide rental assistance to up to 5,000 low-income families — families that make less than 50% of the median income in their locality — with at least one child under the age of 17.
If approved, families would receive monthly rental assistance to reduce their housing costs to 30% of their income.
“We know that all parents want to provide a better future for their children and that starts with a safe and stable place to call home,” said Isabella Mclain with the Virginia Housing Alliance.
Coyner said the program is designed to ensure Virginia’s at-risk kids have a chance at success.
“Research shows us that when a child is displaced from housing and their family is forced to move to a different place to have some sort of stability, that child is set back in their education because they are transitioning to a new teacher, to a new school, to a new community and there is a lot of trauma associated with those types of big moves for children,” Coyner said.
Lawmakers said the program will cost about $80 million over three years.