Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of Public Policy Issues and Headlines from around the Northern Virginia Region, the Commonwealth and on Capitol Hill.
1. Biden Budget Targets Housing Supply
White House requests historic funding for housing supply. A requested 34% increase over last year for the Department of Housing and Urban Development includes $50 billion in grants and loans to increase the supply of affordable housing. This amount includes $32 billion for the Housing Choice Voucher Program and nearly $2 billion for the HOME Investment Partnership to create more affordable homeownership opportunities.
Related: President's FY 2023 Budget and Tax Proposals for Real Estate Industry
2. Deadline to Submit Legislative Ideas
The NVAR Public Policy Committee needs to hear from members as we develop the Local and State Legislative Program and Agenda for 2022-2023. How can NVAR advocate for you and your home buyers and sellers? Submit state or local legislative ideas to jveverka@nvar.com by Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
3. Connolly secures money for county projects
Seven Fairfax County projects were included in Community Project Funding (CPF) requested in the FY2022 omnibus appropriations package by Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Government Operations. The bill was passed by the Senate and signed by President Joe Biden.
4. Metrorail Silver Line Phase 2 delay looms as legislators, leaders seek answers
Legislators are urging a local transportation authority to avoid further delaying the extension of the Silver Line into Loudoun County. The Metrorail project has been in the works for more than 15 years. Its estimated opening date was pushed back three years due to construction issues. U.S. Reps. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.-10), Don Beyer (D-Va.-8) and Gerry Connolly (D-Va.-11) sent a letter on Tuesday to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to ask about remaining issues that are delaying progress.
5. Virginia is cracking back down on noisy cars
As someone who once lived near the Richmond Raceway, Robin Mines says she’s familiar with the sound of loud, fast cars. She didn’t expect to have to endure similar noises miles away in her current South Richmond neighborhood, where she says elderly people, children and veterans with PTSD are being rattled late at night by revved-up engines, intentionally loud exhaust systems and people driving “like they’re on a drag strip.” . . . When Mines learned police could no longer stop vehicles for noise alone, she and other neighborhood leaders approached Del. Betsy Carr, D-Richmond, about a possible fix.