NORFOLK, Va. — The struggle for affordable housing is one many can relate to. After the death of her husband, Jennifer Branham went looking for a new place to live.
“Not only did they want a deposit, a security deposit, they wanted a $250 administration fee. I wasn't gonna get that back. What was that for? To pay staff to process paperwork. A lot of these families can't pay that.” Branham said.
Sunday's symposium was hosted by Virginia Organizing. The grassroots movement met at the New Macedonia Christian Church in Norfolk Sunday. Local activists and speakers from the faith community spoke about the current state of affordable housing in Hampton Roads.
“Let us stand with those who are homeless and facing eviction.” Dr. Anthony Fudd, one of the speakers at the symposium said.
"The top evicting cities in the US is Charleston, South Carolina. 2 is Richmond, Virginia. 3 is Hampton, Virginia, 4 is Newport News, Virginia. 5 is Jackson, Mississippi.” Monet Johnson said.
Virginia Organizing hopes for an increase in tenants' rights through legislation. That legislation is sitting on Gov. Youngkin's desk.
Branham believes these laws will better help all Virginians who are struggling to find housing and stay in it when they get there.
“Give people the opportunity to make it right. I mean we all struggle, I mean there are people who make it paycheck to paycheck but because someone is maybe 30 days behind you take them to court and want to put them out, that’s not right. " Branham said.
Organizers here say this won’t be the only time they plan to meet like this. They are going to continue to address the housing crisis.