Advocates Hail the Passage of the Mobile Home Protective Order and the Human Rights Resolution
Virginia Beach, VA –Residents who have fought on local affordable housing issues and immigrant rights issues are commending the Virginia Beach City Council for two courageous votes on December 7.
ü Yes on Mobile Home Protective Order
On Tuesday evening the Virginia Beach City Council passed a mobile home park protective policy that will serve to ameliorate the hardships on families who live in mobile home parks and risk being displaced due to development. The Mobile Park Protective Order was unanimously approved by City Council and aims to give mobile home owners more housing security. The Protective Order states that mobile home owners will receive clear guidance regarding expectations for a change of use process, and that residents of mobile home parks will have a framework where their hardships are discussed and addressed.
“Last night the City Council of Virginia Beach stood in solidarity with families and thousands of households whose trailer is their home. The challenge into the future is to continue to stand in solidarity with those fellow citizens whose mobile homes are a safe, decent and deeply affordable place to live and raise their families,” said Tim McCarthy of the South Hampton Roads Chapter of Virginia Organizing.
“This is a great step in the right direction. Now the buyers and sellers will have to follow an actual policy, which is more than we had before. Hopefully, more protections will come down the line since a lot of trailer parks are being disrupted.” said Kathy Stanley of Chesapeake. “My mobile home park is currently under contract and we can never breath easy. Hopefully this policy will also be enacted in Chesapeake where I live.”
“In passing the Mobile Home Protective Policy, the council took an important stand to provide themselves and developers the essential framework of caring for the residents of mobile parks when they are faced with the issue of redevelopment,” said Reverend Lauren Ramseur.
ü Yes on Human Rights Resolution
On the same night a resolution was passed that welcomes and celebrates the valuable contributions of immigrants in our city. Virginia Organizing joined with the Human Rights Commission to draft the Human Rights Resolution that states, “The City of Virginia Beach strives to continue to provide an environment that is welcoming and protects human rights of all in our community.”
“In times of recession and hardship, when most people turn inward and worry about their own problems, it is particularly inspiring to live in a city where the authorities are united in welcoming newcomers and protecting homeowners from losing their homes. Kudos to the Virginia Beach City Council,” said Maria Fornella of the Virginia Organizing Immigrants Rights Issue Team.
"Congratulations to Virginia Beach Mayor William Sessoms, City Council and Human Rights Commission Members, for their work and adoption of the Human Rights Resolution" said Beatriz Amberman, founder of the Hispanic Community Dialogue Organization, "Our city is a welcoming and inclusive community and these values are reflected in the document. What an appropriate way to recognize National Human Rights Week."
Virginia Organizing is a statewide grassroots organization that brings people together to create a more just Virginia.
