WHEREAS, housing is a critical component of family, community health, stability, and our ability to seek and retain employment options; and, 

WHEREAS, Virginia’s Fair Housing Office at the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, works to ensure that buyers, sellers, tenants, landlords, and all citizens of the Commonwealth are educated about Virginia’s fair housing law and as a result of that office’s efforts, protection and public awareness continues; and, 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently highlighted the work of Virginia’s Fair Housing Office for its outstanding efforts, leading the region in obtaining monetary relief for complainants; and, 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Virginia Housing and Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, work to identify housing barriers and provide opportunities for thousands of Virginians to live in affordable housing through a variety of incentives; and, 

WHEREAS, these agencies’ efforts to remove regulatory barriers to housing construction and provide financing options are helping Virginians find homes, create a stable workforce, strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy, and enhance the quality of life in Virginia; and,  

WHEREAS, the Fair Housing Office at the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation continues to explore ways to improve education, outreach, and enforcement of fair housing laws to maximize affordable housing resources and fulfill unmet housing needs; and, 

WHEREAS, the Virginia Fair Housing Law was enacted in 1972, just four years after the passage of the federal Fair Housing Act in 1968, to provide fair housing throughout the Commonwealth; and, 

WHEREAS, all Virginians are encouraged to promote fair housing and encourage affordable housing opportunities;  

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize the 50th ANNIVERSARY OF VIRGINIA’S FAIR HOUSING LAW in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.