“Housing Stabilizes Communities and Powers Our Economy” Campaign Kicks Off This Summer Ahead of Virginia’s Elections in November

Richmond, VA., July 28, 2017 – (RealEstateRama) — CHACE (Campaign for Housing and Civic Engagement), a statewide campaign to raise awareness during Virginia’s 2017 election season of housing as the platform for family stability and economic vitality, launched today in coordination with the Housing Week of Action, a nationwide effort sponsored by Our Homes, Our Voices.

The importance of safe and stable housing has rarely been a key issue in electoral politics in Virginia or elsewhere in the nation, even as multiple studies show that housing directly impacts health outcomes, educational achievements, and the resilience of our economy. A coalition of housing providers and advocates throughout the state is working to deliver those messages through conversations with candidates and current members of the House of Delegates as well as the gubernatorial candidates.

While there are common challenges surrounding unmet housing needs throughout the state, the campaign will develop materials that highlight the importance of housing by connecting it to specific regional issues.

CHACE has identified specific policy recommendations that would benefit the entire state: increased funding for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund; funding of housing supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness; and expansion of residential energy efficiency programs to lower utility costs and make housing more affordable.

In addition to meeting with candidates, the campaign will partner with nonprofit organizations to support voter registration activities at housing communities across the state. Through these activities, CHACE hopes to elevate the importance of housing as a priority issue that candidates for office will address during the fall election season.

The following organizations have agreed to support CHACE:

Virginia Housing Alliance
Virginia Poverty Law Center
Habitat for Humanity Virginia
Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance
Virginia Community Development Corporation
Housing Opportunities Made Equal
Alliance for Housing Solutions
Better Housing Coalition
Virginia Supportive Housing
project:HOMES
Cornerstones Housing Corporation
A-SPAN
New Hope Housing
Homestretch
FACETS
Shelter House
Humankind

To add your organization to the list of campaign supporters or to find out how you can get involved email:

chacevirginia (at) gmail (dot) com.

Click here to visit the CHACE website