For 15 years, VOICE has been fighting for housing justice, securing over $500M in investments, including loan refinancing, homeowner support post-foreclosure, and affordable housing. We’ve achieved major victories, such as passing Missing Middle in Arlington and Zoning for Housing in Alexandria, allowing More Homes of all Shapes and Sizes, for All Types of People. Now, we’re expanding that fight statewide.

Introducing the Faith in Housing legislation, or “Yes, in God’s Backyard,” which would make it easier for faith institutions across Virginia to develop affordable housing on their properties. This bill cuts through red tape, allowing congregations to convert land into affordable homes for low-income residents while providing community spaces. The homes must remain affordable for at least 50 years, ensuring long-term impact.

Several VOICE congregations have already answered this call! Arlington Presbyterian Church and Episcopal Church of the Resurrection have successfully developed affordable housing, and Clarendon Presbyterian is currently seeking to rezone their land to build affordable senior housing, childcare, and a right-sized church. This legislation would directly benefit congregations like Clarendon Presbyterian—and others ready to live into their mission of housing justice but held back by cost and bureaucracy.

This is a critical moment. Local leaders are finalizing their legislative priorities, and we need your voice to ensure Faith in Housing is on the agenda. We also need to make sure our state representatives will champion this bill that our communities need!

Catch up on the Campaign Launch and briefing here:
Watch the video

Want to learn more?
Check out our FAQ on Faith in Housing: FAQ Link

Get Involved!
Join our Faith in Housing Presenter Training on Sept 17, 7-9 PM. This session will equip you with slides, talking points, and strategies to advocate for this game-changing legislation in your congregation and beyond.
Register here

Let’s build the power to pass Faith in Housing and address Virginia’s housing crisis. Questions? Contact VOICE Co-Lead Organizer Jessica Sarriot at jsarriot@voice-va.org.

Over 260 VOICE leaders, students, parents, and allies crowded into the Kenmore Middle School cafeteria last night and secured strong commitments from County Board members Takis Karantonis and Maureen Coffey to advocate for the inclusion of $2M in Arlington’s FY 2025 budget for high-quality free or low-cost after-school programming. They also pledged to participate in VOICE listening sessions with middle and high schoolers and to reconvene with VOICE leaders within 4 weeks to discuss the next steps. These commitments are crucial to ensuring the permanence and increased accessibility of such programming for students. VOICE also obtained commitments from School Board members Mary Kadera and Bethany Sutton to support after-school programs in the future. The assembly has already garnered attention from multiple press outlets covering this action (Fox5, WJLA).

As Rev. Alice Tewell explains, “Experience has shown that engaging in structured activities and having the opportunity to form relationships with trusted adults are mitigating factors for drug use and other harmful coping mechanisms among at-risk students.”

Marina Cura, a high schooler who has struggled with mental health challenges, and Luz Rodriguez, one of the mothers who lost her child to overdose last year, both bravely shared their stories and called for action. As Ms. Rodriguez said: “Please listen. My son’s life mattered. I want his death to matter, too. Together we can help prevent future deaths. Please act now, for all the other mothers and sons, fathers and daughters in our community.”

VOICE will continue to take action and follow up on these significant commitments we were able to achieve together.

VOICE has hit the ground running in January after having one of its most productive years in 2023! On Sunday, January 7 leaders from Arlington met at St George’s Episcopal Church to get training on Narcan, the life-saving medication to reverse addiction. Besides getting trained on being able to promote best practices in their congregations and community this team is also hard at work planning for a youth-led Arlington Youth Behavioral Health Assembly February 7th at Kenmore Middle School pushing for increased funding for after-school programming! 

January 18th and 25th VOICE Alexandria kicked off its year with a Clergy & Team Lead meeting – the beginning of its new Strategy Team – and a Caucus meeting where the team decided on a path forward in Alexandria for 2024 – starting with hosting a Budget Accountability action in April to hold the city accountable to pairing passage of Zoning for Housing last year with increased funding for affordable housing this year.

VOICE’s staff and Strategy Team (Board of Directors) launched January with a full-day training on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Conflict Transformation as we prepare to engage in a Strategic Planning process.

VOICE is excited for big things to come in 2024 and invite all VOICE leaders to dig in this year during a time of huge political stakes and opportunities to bend the arc of the universe ever more towards justice!