U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $532,435 in federal funding to help low-income families in Central and Southwest Virginia make critical housing improvements. The funding was awarded by U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.
“Every Virginian should have access to safe housing,” said the senators. “This federal funding is critical to helping low-income Virginians make repairs to their homes to protect their health and safety.”
The funding will be awarded as follows:
$212,435 for Thomas Jefferson Planning District to partner with local housing nonprofit organizations to carry out emergency repairs, rehabilitation, and home safety modifications for homeowners in Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson Counties.
· $210,000 for Renovation Alliance to help homeowners in Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, and Roanoke Counties make repairs to remove health and safety hazards from their homes. Funds will be used for restoration activities, including new roofs; electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling repairs; and improvements to address structural issues with the homes.
· $110,000 for Appalachia Service Project, Inc. for critical housing rehabilitation and repairs in Lee, Wise, and Dickenson Counties.
Kaine, a former fair housing attorney, has introduced bicameral legislation to protect low-income families and veterans from housing discrimination by banning discrimination based on source of income. Warner and Kaine have introduced legislation to help first-time, first-generation homebuyers through more friendly mortgage rates. The senators also secured $210,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Appalachia Service Project for home repairs as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill.
