The guidance, as written, provides thorough explanations concerning how best to interpret Virginia's new law protecting renters from discrimination. The clarity of writing and the specificity, through example cases, can be easily interpreted and referenced by both landlords and enforcement agencies.

This marks an important step toward eliminating the morally repugnant stain of housing discrimination against those Virginians who receive government assistance. This type of discrimination, legal in the Commonwealth until just last year, robs citizens of their fundamental dignity in the already challenging process of finding a home. Each year, thousands of citizens receiving housing assistance in the form of vouchers lose access to their subsidy--and with it, housing-- because they are unable to find a rental in time and landlords shut their doors against them.

Landlord lobbies will insist that this new protection hurts business and imposes egregious costs. This is either gross financial ignorance on the part of business owners or, more likely, a willful lie. Analysis debunks these claims, as have the testimonials of landlords who currently accept vouchers. With financial rationale ruled out, its clear: opponents to the law, who would see discrimination on the basis of fund remain legal, are motivated by their perception of income-assisted renters themselves, American citizens and Virginia residents-- a view guided and delivered by racist and classist animus.

Additionally, it bears mention that these new protections will save money and ensure more Virginias can find homes without increasing any budgets. Eliminating discrimination cuts down on administrative burdens for housing agencies by speeding placement while also reducing the phenomenon of double-subsidies, where tenants receiving housing assistance find themselves forced into rent-stabilized housing as their only option. In Arlington County alone, this saves nearly $2 million per year while housing 300 additional residents. Throughout the Commonwealth, these benefits will be even greater.