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Viewpoint: Transportation Crisis Requires Addressing Housing
Editor's Note: Trip Pollard directs the Southern Environmental Law Center's Land and Community Program. He is the author of Jobs, Transportation, and Affordable Housing: Connecting Home and Work, released with Housing Virginia, the report discusses many policy solutions to better link transportation and housing.
Transportation funding is a hot topic in Virginia. Despite legislation approved in the last two years that provided billions of additional dollars for transportation, the Commonwealth faces a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog, state funds for highway construction may run out by 2017, and there is inadequate funding for transit and rail. Dozens of bills have been filed during the current General Assembly session to boost transportation funding, and the Governor has proposed a controversial package that includes taking more General Funds for transportation, hiking the sales tax, and eliminating the gas tax.
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What did the "Fiscal Cliff" Bill Mean for Housing?
On January 1, Congress completed passage of a bill (HR 8), the American Taxpayer Relief Act to avert elements of the so-called "Fiscal Cliff". The Senate approved the bill by 89-8 and the House followed by 257-167. The bill was signed by the President two days later. The bill had some important provisions that affected affordable housing and economic development.
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Housing Virginia to Launch 2013 Policy Initiative
 Beginning in February, Housing Virginia will unveil its comprehensive, multi-media analysis of trends that will determine the future of affordable housing in Virginia. Housing 2020: What is Shaping the Future of Housing in Virginia? examines the key trends that are driving change. Messaging tools in the online kit, accessible for free from www.housingvirginia.org, will include video downloads, a power point presentation and executive summaries. Click here to schedule a regional forum or targeted meeting for your group.
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General Assembly Session Underway: Coalition Sponsors Housing Day
On January 9, the Virginia General Assembly convened for its 45 day session for 2013. The Virginia Housing Coalition, The Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness; Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Habitat Virginia and other statewide groups held a Housing Education Day on January 10 that brought 90 housing advocates to Richmond to meet with legislators and talk about housing needs in their communities. The Coalition announced a "Common Agenda" with its partners that included the following issues:
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Succession Strategies: Housing Virginia Training Event!
Executive directors and board leaders across Virginia are discussing and embracing leadership shifts in nonprofit organizations, local government agencies and state departments dedicated to affordable housing and community development initiatives. Housing Virginia is committed to succession strategies that will keep the work strong and are proud to announce regional trainings later this spring. Targeting executive directors and board members, "Succession Planning, Leader Development and Managing Executive Transitions" will offer an overview of the implications of transition, along with practical tips on successfully navigating this process. TransitionGuides, from Silver Springs, Maryland, will lead the training intended to better prepare the sector for retirements, leadership development and overall capacity building.
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Calendar
Social Media Training
February 26, 2013
10:00am to 4:00pm, lunch included!
Do you get lost when people start talking about Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs? These things don't have to be time vacuums! Learn how to use social media effectively to engage your constituents in your good work. This class is designed for individuals and organizations new to social media or for those who have a Facebook page, but haven't touched it since they created it.
Click here to register!
HOUSING A to Z: From Homelessness to Homeownership Roanoke Regional Housing Network
Save the date: May 2, 2013
Click here for more information!
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Give to Housing Virginia
Your generous gift helps Housing Virginia to make the case for increasing the supply of affordable housing options across the Commonwealth.
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