February 19, 2026

 Allies for Housing Action, Legal Aid Justice Center, and New Virginia Majority Statement: Anti-Rent Gouging Legislation A Missed Opportunity 

This week, as bills cross over between chambers in Virginia’s General Assembly, Allies for Housing  Action, Legal Aid Justice Center, and New Virginia Majority celebrate many great pieces of legislation moving forward that will protect and empower Virginia’s renters. Unfortunately, one piece of legislation is not crossing over: anti-rent gouging. 

This powerful and popular policy would have given local governments the ability to protect their renters from predatory rent increases. We have been advocating for this legislation since Delegate Nadarius E. Clark’s first introduction in 2022 and Senator Jennifer B. Boysko’s in 2023. Every year, the legislation has gained momentum, and each year, as rents continue to increase drastically, it becomes more and more important. And yet, once again, both versions failed to progress, despite tremendous support.  Hundreds of renters from across the Commonwealth, dozens of advocacy groups ranging from the Virginia Education Association to Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, local governments from Roanoke City to Loudoun County, and over thirty state legislators all stood in support of this vital protection for Virginia renters. 

These bills were instead sent to the Virginia Housing Commission (VHC) to be studied. In a year of crisis where affordability was top of mind for everyone, this is not the outcome we hoped for. Delayed action means another year of abusive rent increases, burdened budgets, mass displacement, and increased homelessness. Still, we recognize this referral to the Virginia Housing Commission is a meaningful step towards all stakeholders better understanding this policy and its many benefits. We look forward to working with the VHC and all the relevant stakeholders to conduct a comprehensive review of the efficacy and best practices of rent regulation, and how it will make Virginia even stronger. 

Given the General Assembly process is often not accessible to working-class Virginians, we are especially eager to ensure tenants’ voices are heard and centered in the VHC process. No study on how this policy will affect tenants can be effective without learning directly from tenants themselves. Similarly, local governments must also have a seat at the table to provide vital input on how rent regulation will be implemented, given the diversity of local housing needs and local government structures. 

We’d like to thank everyone who has and continues to support this effort, including the fearless bill patrons, Delegate Clark and Senator Boysko. Special gratitude goes to the renters who have given their time, energy, and voices to continue this fight. We are committed to bringing these bills back each year until they are signed into law. As the bill progresses through the VHC, please stay informed and stay involved. 

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Allies for Housing Action (AHA!) coalition uses organizing, education, research, and advocacy tools to empower tenants and their allies to build a Commonwealth where all Virginians can access fair, high-quality, and affordable housing of their choice.

Legal Aid Justice Center partners with communities and clients to fight for racial, social, and

­­­economic justice. Together, we are dismantling systems that create and perpetuate poverty. 

New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color across VA. We organize in communities year-round for racial, economic, and environmental justice through political education, voter outreach, and leadership development around dozens of issues.

February 4, 2026

Contact: Debra Freeman, [email protected], 757-452-1143

New Virginia Majority Applauds Governor Spanberger for Ending Section 287(g) Agreements

New Virginia Majority applauds Governor Abigail Spanberger’s announcement that Virginia will no longer participate in any Section 287(g) agreements, which previously allowed Virginia State Police and local law enforcement to carry out federal immigration enforcement.

Section 287 (g) agreements made citizens reluctant to report crime and created a culture of fear in communities and did not address legitimate safety concerns in neighborhoods around the state. Additionally, these agreements also led to due process violations and unlawful detention without warrants for many of our neighbors.

“Today’s exit from Section 287(g) is a good start to creating a more equitable Virginia for us all. I applaud Governor Spanberger for exiting an agreement that was not only overreaching, but unnecessary. Virginians deserve to go about their daily lives with dignity and without fear,” said NVM co-executive director, Tram Nguyen. 

All Virginians, no matter our immigration status, deserve to travel in our communities, go to work, and take our children to school without fear, and exiting this agreement is a step towards making that a reality. NVM will continue to work with elected officials and allies to protect immigrant rights and work towards creating common sense policies that protect, not target, Virginians. 

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New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color, in immigrant communities, among LGBTQ people, women, youth, and progressives across the Commonwealth. We organize for racial and economic justice through large-scale political education, mobilization and advocacy around dozens of issues. We fight for a Virginia that is just, democratic and environmentally sustainable. For more information, visit our website.

February 3, 2026

Contact: 

Deb Freeman, [email protected], (757) 452-1143

Legislators, Advocates, and Youth Speak Out on the Need for Restorative Practices in Schools

Richmond, VA - Today Transformative Changes, the Fund Our Schools Coalition, New Virginia Majority, Delegate Dolores McQuinn, Senator Laschrecse Aird, and Senator Barbara Favola held a press conference to highlight the importance of increasing the use of restorative practices in Virginia schools. 

Restorative practices legislation includes HB 298, which ensures restorative practices are used before exclusionary discipline whenever possible, and budget amendment 124 #10s, which would direct $1M in targeted funding and technical support to school divisions with the highest racial and disability-based discipline disparities through the Restorative Schools in Virginia Pilot Program. Legislation to increase the use of restorative practices in schools was passed by both chambers in 2024 but vetoed by Governor Youngkin.

Speakers at the press conference included:

• Kiara Brown, Advocacy & Engagement Fellow, Transformative Changes
• Youth leaders and members of Transformative Changes Black Youth Mental Health Collaborative
  • Olivia Jones-Mason
  • AcaCia Smith
  • Mikayla Pearson
• Delegate Delores McQuinn, chief patron of HB 298
• Senator Lashrecse Aird
• Senator Barbara Favola
• Chlo’e Edwards, Policy Director at New Virginia Majority
• Anthony Jones, President of Richmond Restorative Justice
• Briana Jones, Policy Associate, The Commonwealth Institute

Restorative practices are evidence-based approaches that repair harm, build relationships, and maintain accountability through interventions such as community conferencing or peer mediation, mentoring or peer jury programs, restorative circles or community service initiatives, preventive or post-conflict resolution programs. Research has shown that restorative practices are a way to increase student achievement, reduce mental health challenges, build community and teach students the strategies to resolve conflict.

Utilizing restorative practices can also often replace exclusionary discipline methods such as suspension, which reduce learning time for students. Exclusionary methods are disproportionately utilized against Black students and students with disabilities, leading to more difficult learning environments for those groups. Increasing the use of evidence-based restorative practices in Virginia schools will benefit all students by creating school environments that are safer, more welcoming, and conducive to learning.

Restorative practices are designed to prioritize students’ safety by creating environments where they feel welcome and supported, which leads to fewer disciplinary issues and a more positive overall school climate. Over a dozen school divisions have employed restorative practices with great results, including Prince William, Alexandria, Chesterfield, Richmond City, Harrisonburg, Fairfax, Spotsylvania, Loudoun, and Roanoke, among others.

“HB298 and the Restorative Schools in Virginia Pilot program represents another step forward by equipping schools with the tools to hold students accountable while keeping them connected to learning and supported on their path to success. Every day a student is removed from school is a day of learning they cannot get back. Our students have made it clear what they need. Now it is our turn to respond,” said Delegate Delores McQuinn.

“When multiple divisions in one Senate district show disparities at this level, that is not coincidence. It is a call to act. When students are repeatedly removed from classrooms, they lose instructional time, fall behind academically, and become more disconnected from their school communities. Over time, that disconnection can increase the likelihood of justice-system involvement. Regardless of a child's race, ethnicity, or disability, every student deserves to feel supported, valued, and connected to their school community,” said Senator Lashrecse Aird.

“Some students are still far more likely than others to be removed from the classroom. By integrating practices like healing circles and restorative conversations, schools can help students take responsibility, repair harm, and stay connected to their education.  Progress happens when educators, families, and communities commit to creating environments where students are supported and held accountable. By passing HB298 and funding the Restorative Schools in Virginia Pilot Program, the Commonwealth is sending a clear message. Change is achievable when we commit to the support our students need,” said Senator Barbara Favola.

“When urban, rural, and suburban divisions alike reflect the same pattern, it becomes clear this is not a localized challenge but a shared responsibility across Virginia. Disparity should never be predictable. Opportunity should be. House Bill 298 invites us to shift the question  from “What rule was broken?” to “Who was harmed, what do they need, and how do we repair the harm while keeping students connected to school?” By resorting to the use of at least one restorative practice before resorting to exclusion, and strengthening data reporting, this bill helps move schools from reaction to restoration,” said Chlo’e Edwards, Policy Director at New Virginia Majority.

“I wish someone had looked at me as a young person who needed help, not punishment. I wish there had been an advocate in that room; someone who could’ve spoken up for me, someone who could’ve helped the adults see that kids deserve second chances. And that’s why my hope is that schools stop relying on harsh punishments that push students out and instead invest in approaches that give students support, safety, and real opportunities to grow from their mistakes. I hope no other young person is made to feel like their whole future disappears because of one choice they made at fourteen,” said Mikayla Pearson, student at Hopewell High School and member of the Black Youth Mental Health Collaborative.

“What we know from experience is this: when students are removed from school, the underlying challenges do not disappear. Restorative practices offer a different path, Our process builds accountability, strengthens relationships, and keeps students connected to their education. And we have seen the impact firsthand,” said Anthony Jones, President of Richmond Restorative Justice.

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Fund Our Schools is a statewide coalition of parents, students, teachers, and organizations who believe that every child in every zip code across the Commonwealth of Virginia should have access to a high-quality public education. Our priorities are grounded in racial equity and center the voices of students, parents, teachers, and those most impacted by underfunded schools.  

New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color across the Commonwealth. We organize in communities year-round for racial, economic, and environmental justice through political education, mass-scale voter outreach, mobilization, and intensive leadership development around dozens of issues. 

Transformative Changes is a healing justice organization with a mission to defy the status quo in pursuit of justice and human liberation by centering the leadership and development  of historically disenfranchised people in the social justice movement space.