by Josh Veverka

Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of Public Policy Issues and Headlines from around the Northern Virginia Region, the Commonwealth and on Capitol Hill. 

1. Litigation Ongoing for CDC Eviction Moratorium

The litigation remains ongoing against the CDC’s fourth extension of the eviction moratorium, issued August 3, 2021, and effective through October 3, 2021.

On August 4th, a day after the CDC issued the extension, the Alabama and Georgia Associations of REALTORS®, who originally filed a lawsuit against the CDC in November 2020 on behalf of housing providers nationwide and supported by NAR, filed an emergency motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to seek enforcement of the June 29th U.S. Supreme Court Order that stated the CDC could not extend the moratorium beyond July 31st, without congressional authorization via new legislation. The D.C. District Court held a hearing on this case on August 9th, and denied the plaintiff’s motion on August 13, 2021. As a result, plaintiffs are planning to appeal to the D.C. Circuit immediately and to the Supreme Court if necessary.

2. Arlington Sign Permits, Fence/Wall/Retaining Wall Permits and Administrative Change Applications Move Online

Starting Tuesday, August 31, applications for Sign Permits, Fence/Wall/Retaining Wall Permits, and Administrative Changes must be submitted online via Permit Arlington. Also starting Aug. 31, inspections for Sign Permits and Fence/Wall/Retaining Wall Permits must be scheduled online via Permit Arlington.

Permit Arlington is a County-wide initiative to improve land development, building, and permitting processes in order to provide the best customer service. Two of the primary outcomes are a new online permitting system, and, a centralized space for in-person customer visits. Both the physical and virtual spaces aim to achieve a transformative customer experience. The Permit Arlington system is available 24/7. You can apply from your computer or mobile device. Because applications, supporting documents, and payments are collected online, you no longer need to make a trip to the Arlington County Permit Office. Future online application release dates will continue through 2022.

3. Request for Proposals: Nearly $2.5M Available to Acquire, Develop and Rehabilitate Fairfax County Affordable Housing

The Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development has announced the availability of nearly $2.5 million in funding under the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs.

Project proposals are being solicited to acquire, develop, and rehabilitate affordable rental housing to further advance the Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisor’s goal of producing a minimum of 5,000 new units of affordable housing by 2034. Applications are due by Friday, September 24, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

4. Loudoun Community Encouraged to Participate in Regional Hazard Mitigation Survey

Residents and business owners in Loudoun County are encouraged to help build community resilience to disasters by participating in the Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Survey. Loudoun County and the incorporated towns of Hamilton, Hillsboro, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville and Round Hill are part of a regionwide effort to update the Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan identifies strategies for reducing or eliminating loss of life, injury, and property damage caused by disasters as well as the long-term risks that result from hazards such as floods, severe storms, tornadoes, wildfires and winter weather.  The brief survey is available online and is open through September 15, 2021.

5. Metro will expand service and reduce fares starting Sept. 5

Starting Sept. 5, Metro will be adding more trains and buses, extending train service on the weekends and lowering fares, the transit agency announced Monday. Metro said it is implementing the changes to make “riding easier and more convenient” as people return to school and work.