HB 7

Abstract

Virginia Fair Housing Law; unlawful discriminatory housing practices. Prohibits any locality, its employees, or its appointed commissions from discriminating (i) in the application of local land use ordinances or guidelines, or in the permitting of housing developments, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, elderliness, familial status, or handicap or (ii) in the permitting of housing developments because the housing development contains or is expected to contain affordable housing units occupied or intended for occupancy by families or individuals with incomes at or below 80 percent of the median income of the area where the housing development is located or is proposed to be located, unless at the time of the municipal decision, a proposed development will be located in a census tract wherein more than 50 percent of the units serve families or individuals at or below 80 percent of the median income of the area. The bill also requires the Fair Housing Board, after determining the existence of an unlawful discriminatory housing practice and after consultation with the Attorney General, to immediately refer the matter to the Attorney General for civil action.

Virginia Fair Housing Law; unlawful discriminatory housingpractices. Prohibits any locality, its employees, or its appointedcommissions from discriminating (i) in the application of local land useordinances or guidelines, or in the permitting of housing developments, on thebasis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familialstatus, or handicap or (ii) in the permitting of housing developments becausethe housing development contains or is expected to contain affordable housingunits occupied or intended for occupancy by families or individuals withincomes at or below 80 percent of the median income of the area where thehousing development is located or is proposed to be located. The bill alsorequires the Fair Housing Board, after determining the existence of an unlawfuldiscriminatory housing practice and after consultation with the AttorneyGeneral, to immediately refer the matter to the Attorney General for civilaction.