Republicans in the House of Delegates blocked advancement of a bill, HB 928, sponsored by Delegate Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church), on the House floor, that would have allowed a raise in compensation for commissioners of housing authorities from $150 to $500 per month.
The bill was not engrossed after its second reading on a voice vote.
“Housing authorities need diversity to be able to adequately serve the needs of their communities – especially representation from lower-income neighborhoods,” said Delegate Kaye Kory. “This bill would have helped folks from those communities to be able to afford to serve as commissioners, giving proper voice to all communities on housing authorities. Instead, only representatives who have high enough income to be able to serve as commissioners with almost no compensation have the option to have a voice on behalf of their community.”
Background
- The stipend outlined in the Code of Virginia for housing authority commissioners hasn’t been raised since 1988.
- The bill is permissive – housing authorities may or may not implement the raise, and if so, need permission from local governments.
- Commissioners on housing authorities handle multi-million dollar budgets in some localities, and often have responsibilities more than just the monthly business meeting – thus warranting a raise in stipend.
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