About Realtor® Advocacy

About Realtor® Advocacy

Your Realtor® advocacy team ensures that our members’ voices are heard as decisions are made about the laws and regulations that shape our industry.

Through NVRPAC, NVAR is able to advocate on the local level, ensuring that the interests of Northern Virginia Realtors® are known to lawmakers and representatives and that the magnitude of Realtor® impact on Northern Virginia's economy and communities is recognized. NVAR collaborates with Virginia Realtors® to advocate in Richmond, along with the National Association of Realtors®, located steps away from the United States Capitol.  

 Together, we also advocate on behalf of the consumers – representing the interests of homebuyers, sellers, and renters, and the commercial tenants who are directly impacted by changes in things like affordability, taxation, and ordinances. 

Explore Realtor® Advocacy Resources

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Watch this video for a recap of the 2024 Realtor® Lobby Day in Richmond, VA!

About NVRPAC

RPAC

The REALTOR® Political Action Committee (RPAC) has promoted the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the United States since 1969. The purpose of RPAC is clear: voluntary contributions made by REALTORS® are used to help elect candidates who understand and support their interests.

These are not members’ dues; this is money given freely by REALTORS® in recognition of the importance of the political process. The REALTORS® Political Action Committee and other political fundraising are the keys to protecting and promoting the real estate industry. 

NVRPAC results in meaningful local Realtor® advocacy wins such as the passing of Virginia Realtors® Health Insurance Legislation, Federal Homeowner and Rental Assistance Funding, and more.

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Latest Advocacy News: Town Hall Notes Blog

FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A Weekly Roundup of Public Policy News

Jun 14, 2024, 11:26 by Thomas Finney
Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of public policy issues and headlines from around the Northern Virginia Region, the Commonwealth, and Capitol Hill.

by Danielle Finley, Associate Director of Political Engagement

 

Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of public policy issues and headlines from around the Northern Virginia Region, the Commonwealth, and Capitol Hill.

In this Issue: 1. These new housing laws will take effect next month 2. Amazon adds $1.4 billion to affordable housing fund for regions where it has corporate offices, including Virginia 3. What is in Potomac Yard’s future after dead arena deal? 4. Divisive new data center rules clear Fairfax County Planning Commission 5. Manassas City Council hikes data center tax rate 72% in new budget 

 

By CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS, Virginia Mercury  

Manufactured homes, mobile homes, trailers — whatever they’re referred to as, this type of housing has offered tenants an affordable option to become homeowners. But they haven’t offered as much stability. That’s where Virginia lawmakers have passed some laws to help neighbors around the state have a little more peace of mind. For example, should a mobile home park be sold for redevelopment, a new law will require some financial assistance to help residents relocate and another new law strengthens protections for residents’ leases. The mobile-home-specific proposals are among a suite of housing laws that will take effect next month. 

By HALELUYA HADERO, Associated Press  

Amazon is adding $1.4 billion to a fund it established three years ago for preserving or building more affordable housing in regions where the company has major corporate offices, CEO Andy Jassy announced Tuesday. The Seattle-based company said the new sum would go on top of the $2.2 billion it had already invested to help create or preserve 21,000 affordable housing units in three areas: the Puget Sound in Washington state; Arlington, Virginia; and Nashville, Tennessee. When it launched its Housing Equity Fund in January 2021, Amazon said it aimed to fund 20,000 units over five years. The additional money will go to the same regions with a goal of building or maintaining 14,000 more homes through grants and below-market-rate loans. 

By MIMI MONTGOMERY, Axios  

Months after Virginia’s Wizards and Capitals arena deal died, a big question remains: What’s next for Potomac Yard? It’s a large, valuable chunk of land with close proximity to D.C. and a new $370 million Metro stop that sits in what Alexandria and Arlington are trying to establish as an innovation corridor, thanks to nearby Amazon HQ2 and Virginia Tech’s forthcoming Innovation Campus. Plus, Alexandria needs more commercial growth to diversify its tax base and alleviate the burden placed on homeowners. 

By JAMES JARVIS, FFXnow  

New regulations on the construction of data centers in Fairfax County cleared their first major hurdle last week. The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously endorsed zoning amendments on Thursday (June 6) that aim to restrict the size, location, equipment screening and design standards of any new data centers in the county. Proposed by county staff, the new regulations come as data center construction in Northern Virginia intensifies, heightening unease among residents. 

Manassas City Council hikes data center tax rate 72% in new budget  

By CHER MUZYK, Prince William Times  

Both property owners and data centers in the City of Manassas will pay higher tax bills under the $333 million budget for fiscal year 2025 the city council approved Monday. … The budget hikes the tax rate paid by data centers in Manassas by 72%. Data centers will pay $2.15 per $100 in the assessed value on their computer servers and other computer equipment. The new $2.15 rate is a 90-cent increase over the city’s current “computer and peripherals tax rate” of $1.25. The new rate applies to all businesses in the city, but data centers and other tech companies such as Micron pay the bulk of the tax revenue.