What: Press Conference on Norfolk Housing Budget

When: Saturday, May 25 at 12:15 p.m.

Where: 600 Granby Street, Norfolk VA 23510

Norfolk, Va.— On Saturday, May 25 at 12:15 p.m., community members will gather on the corner of Brambleton Ave. and Granby Ave. in Norfolk for a demonstration and press conference about affordable housing. 

With Governor Youngkin vetoing many housing bills, it is up to the City of Norfolk to make changes. We applaud the city for establishing a Housing Trust Fund, which Virginia Organizing has worked on for over a year. Now, it is time to get to work to fund it as quickly as possible, to help residents who are struggling. 

“We worked hard this General Assembly and were able to get 10 of our priority housing bills through the legislature. Unfortunately, many of them were vetoed when they reached the governor’s desk,” said Barbara Jefferson Harris, State Governing Board member for Virginia Organizing. “This means localities must do what they can to resolve the housing crisis. We call on Norfolk City Council to fund the Housing Trust Fund, which will bring relief to many families who need it.” 

Speakers for the press conference include Grey Persons and Jesse Monroe of Hope House Foundation, Rev. Dr. Crawley-Ricks of New Macedonia UCC, Kim Williams of Catholic Worker, Jeff Smallwood, longtime Norfolk resident and renter, and Patrice Smallwood of the Virginia Organizing State Governing Board.

Additionally, Virginia Organizing is calling on the city to create an inclusionary zoning program, a Housing Taskforce made of residents, and a Rental Inspection Program. 

The press conference will address these concerns and bring them to the attention of the City of Norfolk. 

To interview a spokesperson for this event, please contact Meghan McNamara at 847-922-1213 or Meghan@virginia-organizing.org.