Priority Issues

Read about NVAR's work on several legislative and regulatory policy goals, including current priority issues, on-going issues, standing Public Policy Positions and recent Realtor® Advocacy Wins. Make your voice heard by submitting feedback for the annual NVAR Legislative Program, submitted every spring. 

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2023-2024 NVAR Legislative Agenda

Download the 2023-2024 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
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On-Going Issues

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NVAR Legislative Program

Legislative Program

Every spring, NVAR compiles legislative and regulatory policy goals for the coming year into a document called the NVAR Legislative Program.

The Legislative Program is developed over several months based on feedback given by NVAR members. The process begins in March, when NVAR committees and forums are asked to submit issues to the NVAR Public Policy Committee for consideration. Individual Realtors® may also submit issues to the committee. A task force researches these issues and recommends pertinent ones for inclusion in the Legislative Program.

Once a draft program has been developed, the Public Policy Committee reviews it and sends a final draft to NVAR’s Board of Directors for consideration. Following approval by the Board, NVAR forwards the program to the Virginia Association of Realtors® for inclusion in the statewide list of legislative priorities.

An important component of the issues we look at is your voice. If you have suggestions for items we should be looking into please email us at govaffairs@nvar.com OR fill out this quick form.

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Town Hall Notes Blog

FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A Weekly Roundup of Public Policy News

Aug 30, 2024, 11:23 by Chris Barranco
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. In this Issue: 1. NAR Submits Comments on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's Duty to Serve Plans 2. How Kamala Harris’ new policy plan could impact housing in Virginia 3. Arlington elected officials fire entire Human Rights Commission 4. Judge rules plaintiffs have standing for trial to reverse Alexandria’s Zoning for Housing overhaul 5. Sign Shows Fairfax City Supports Economic Development, New Business..

NAR Submits Comments on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's Duty to Serve Plans

By MATTHEW EMERY, NAR News

NAR submitted comments to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) regarding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's (the GSEs) Duty to Serve Plans. FHFA requires the GSEs submit plans in three-year increments about how they are going to serve traditionally underserved markets, especially for rural housing, manufactured housing, and very low-, low-, and moderate-income consumers. The proposed plans align closely with NAR policy, and we thank FHFA and the GSEs for continuing to explore and execute plans to help underserved markets.

How Kamala Harris’ new policy plan could impact housing in Virginia

By CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS, Virginia Mercury

Virginia Democratic lawmakers praised Vice President Kamala Harris’ housing policy plans in a virtual call Wednesday afternoon. The gathering came on the heels of a new campaign ad highlighting Harris’ plan to build three million new homes and rental units if elected president. The plan is part of a proposal she unveiled ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which includes providing $25,000 in down payment assistance for some first-time homebuyers and tax incentives for builders. A 2021 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission study found that most Virginians affected by affordable housing issues are renters.

Arlington elected officials fire entire Human Rights Commission

By SCOTT MCCAFFREY, Gazette Leader

Arlington County Board members on Aug. 26 fired all current members of their Human Rights Commission, opting for a nuclear-option response in addressing the long-running feud between the two bodies. The dueling entities had “a fundamentally different set of expectations” about the Human Rights Commission’s responsibilities, County Board member Matt de Ferranti said, necessitating a fresh start.

JUST IN: Judge rules plaintiffs have standing for trial to reverse Alexandria’s Zoning for Housing overhaul

By JAMES CULLUM

Alexandria residents fighting the city’s massive Zoning for Housing/Housing for All overhaul won a battle in court today, as Judge David S. Schell ruled their case has standing and can go to trial. The plaintiffs, all Old Town residents, have been fighting to reverse the zoning changes since they were approved by City Council in Dec. 2023. While initial efforts were dismissed in court, their amended filing specified how their individual properties would be harmed as a result.

Sign Shows Fairfax City Supports Economic Development, New Business

By MICHAEL O”CONNELL, Patch

Drivers on Eaton Place in Fairfax City may have noticed new signage on one of the office buildings in WillowWood Plaza. On Monday, Fairfax City Economic Development celebrated the installation a new sign" reflecting its recent rebranding.