Government Affairs Updates that Could Affect Your Business

Local News & Happenings

Action Plan 2024

The Government Affairs Committee will tackle the task of defining local legislative priorities for 2024. You can be a part of the process! Just send an email to GAD@hrra.com or let any committee member know your issue and the committee will consider the issue.  Please let us know ASAP as we will submit the priorities to the Board of Directors for approval in February.

• Elections are coming this year, and the Government Affairs Committee will be at the forefront of vetting the candidates and identifying REALTOR® Champions for your knowledge and support.
• Speaking of elections – The Government Affairs Committee will be working to get out the vote this year, so get ready for us to be seen and heard all around HRRA to encourage you to secure your business with your vote!! 
• Yes! We will be building on the momentum in 2023 and engaging in more community outreach. You can participate. If you know of an area that can benefit from physical improvement or an issue that REALTORS® can use the strength of advocacy to support our communities, contact a committee member or the GAD for consideration. 

Hone your leadership skills. The Candidate Institute is now accepting applications for the class of 2024. Advocacy begins with you! Be the REALTOR® Champion for your community. The program will train you how to become more involved in your community, show you how politics affects your community, and how you can make a difference in shaping the future of the Southside and the association. Click here to apply today. 

Get your housing questions answered!

Make plans to attend the "State of Housing in the Cities of South Hampton Roads" roundtable discussion with leaders from across the southside, on Thursday, February 1, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at HRRA. This is your chance to ask city leaders your questions and foster a collaborative relationship with our local governments!

Click the button below to register.

Special Election in Virginia Beach

• Three candidates are vying to fill the Virginia Beach City Council seat left vacant by Rocky Holcomb, who vacated the seat to become Sherriff after long-time Virginia Beach Sherriff, Ken Stolle, announced his retirement.
• There will be a special election on January 9, 2024, and voting is open only to residents who live in District 1, which includes portions of Kempsville, Bellamy Manor, and Lake Christopher.
• The candidates are David Hutcheson, Teresa Gladney, and John Napier.
• Napier has announced that part of his agenda will be increasing the city’s affordable housing stock. 
• Your voice matters. If you live in this district, vote! 

Around the Commonwealth

The 2024 General Assembly Session will officially begin on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. The new year will start in a new General Assembly building in Richmond, and last for 60 days.

Virginia REALTORS® has published its 2024 Legislative Agenda. You can view it at https://virginiarealtors.org/advocacy/legislativeagenda/. The HRRA Government Affairs Committee will keep you informed on the progression of the State-Sponsored bills throughout the legislative session. 

Congratulations to our Vice Chair - Norfolk, Jennifer Dawn, as she was selected to the 2024 class of the Virginia Leadership Academy. She is also a Candidate Institute Alum! 

Below is a recap of some 2023 NAR legislative wins! You can view the entire list here: NAR Advocacy Wins.

• NAR informed the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) that its consideration of tenant demands where Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac cap rent increases on the multifamily properties they underwrite could force small housing providers out of the market, limiting housing options for consumers. NAR spearheaded a call for action of housing provider members and joined a coalition letter to emphasize the adverse impact of such a dramatic administrative action on housing providers.
• As a result of NAR's advocacy, the FHA reduced mortgage insurance premiums (MIPs) by 30 basis points, significantly helping new and low- to moderate-income buyers.
• NAR mobilized a coalition of real estate groups including the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, the Asian Real Estate Association of America, and the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance to issue a statement in support of HUD’s Affirmatively Fair Housing Rule. The proposed rule, which encourages data-driven local solutions to housing segregation, includes a new emphasis on homeownership opportunities.

As you can see, there is quite a lot to get accomplished this year, and we are excited to take this advocacy journey with you!!