VPLC Impact Report 2022-2023

POVERTY IS MAN-MADE

through through: discriminatory discriminatorypolices polices income incomeinequality inequality

injustice injustice debt debt traps traps

POVERTY IS MAN-MADE. SO ARE THE SOLUTIONS.

2022 - 2023 Impact Report

SO ARE THE SOLUTIONS.

Dear VPLC Friend, I am thrilled to present to you our Impact Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. Within these pages, you'll see how your generosity and partnership helped make our work in education, advocacy and litigation not only possible but impactful for lower-income Virginians.

For example, our Economic Justice team worked tirelessly with members of our Board of Directors to secure a remarkable $489 million settlement against predatory lenders, offering much-needed financial relief to those victimized by their illegal practices. With your support, we also made significant strides in enhancing housing stability, expanding health insurance options and ensuring access to public benefits for many lowerincome Virginians. We are also addressing utilities' impact on housing affordability, a very important yet overlooked issue.

From JAY SPEER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

We also experienced challenges this past fiscal year. The safety net programs initiated during the pandemic have ended, leaving many in greater need than ever before. Our helplines continue to be inundated with individuals seeking assistance and guidance. Additionally, 13,669 people accessed eviction resources, 20,359 people completed their no-fault divorce paperwork and 61,194 used our SNAP calculator to apply for food benefits—all information housed on our website.

The truth is that there will never be enough lawyers to help everyone. However, we can ensure people have access to information so they can know their rights and get empowered to advocate for themselves in court. Therefore, we are launching the ‘Justice Toolbox’—an online self-help center designed to empower individuals with a user-friendly mobile tool. Read a success story in this report’s housing section.

The ‘Justice Toolbox,’ once fully developed, will provide vital legal information and courtroom tools. An unrepresented person having the correct information and documentation when they go to court can significantly impact court procedures, slowing down hasty judgments, evictions and other adverse outcomes. We hope to make our court system truly a place for all people to ask for justice—not just those that have lawyers.

We invite you to be part of this transformative educational initiative and partner with us as we launch our campaign to raise $250,000 to develop the ‘Justice Toolbox’ online presence.

Together, we are on a journey toward justice, chipping away at the systems that perpetuate poverty.

Stay tuned in 2024 as we provide more details on the ‘Justice Toolbox’ launch as well as our work at the upcoming General Assembly session. Sign up for our newsletter at www.vplc.org.

With heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and partnership,

Virginia Poverty Law Center uses advocacy, education and litigation to break down systemic barriers that keep low-income Virginians in the cycle of poverty.

ECONOMIC JUSTICE On behalf of the many Virginians struggling to pay for housing, food and other necessities, VPLC advocates for a just economy so that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

During the last General Assembly session, we were able to stop legislation that unfairly limited Virginians’ access to unemployment benefits.

Just a few years ago, VPLC led the fight to pass the Fairness in Lending Act. This groundbreaking legislation has led to a fair lending marketplace in Virginia for borrowers and lenders. Those that refused to offer a fair product—payday and car title lenders—left Virginia.

The payday lenders came back during the last General Assembly session and tried to exempt their new product from the Fairness in Lending Act, but we were able to stop this legislation. Unfortunately, they will be back—but we will be there to oppose them again.

VPLC is protecting the rights of consumers.

There are, of course, government and private agencies directed to assist our struggling neighbors, but the bureaucracies they present often prove difficult—even impossible—to navigate.

Rectifying wrongs is why we are here as advocates and supporters for equal justice.

In 2022, in the culmination of years of VPLC litigation against highinterest, illegal, internet payday lenders, a class action settlement provided

VPLC’s Economic Justice team at the 2022 Annual State Conference. Left to right: Kajsa Foskey, Carmen Bingham, Amanda Gago Silcox, Dana Wiggins, Jay Speer

$489 million in relief to victims.

02 | 2022-2023 IMPACT REPORT • VPLC

KEEPING VIRGINIANS HOUSED VPLC is committed to transforming the rental environment, stacked heavily against low-income renters, to one where the rights of tenants are equal to the rights of landlords. For those who lose their homes in the court system, there are severely negative long-term consequences for their health, job security and future housing stability.

Our team partnered with lawmakers, community organizers, tenant rights organizations and other legal aid programs to provide civil legal information to those in need through in-person events, recorded presentations and social media sharing.

VPLC’s Christie Marra (above, right) speaks to the Virginia Housing Alliance for Housing Advocacy Day.

He’s living in his car and keeping it secret.

The trouble started for a 28-year-old Richmond asthma patient when he lost his job during the Covid-19 outbreak. At first, he was able to pay rent using his unemployment and federal emergency rental assistance.

VPLC’s Dana Wiggins and Henrico County resident Donald Garrett review and share “Know Your Rights” educational materials. Mr. Garrett is now deceased, but his advocacy work leaves a legacy.

25,065

TENANTS

turned to VPLC’s Eviction Legal Help website to access self-help materials.

But then the rent went up about 45%, and the landlord claimed he never received a round of the emergency rental payments.

The father of two was evicted. He lost custody of his children, Medicaid and SNAP nutrition benefits. Back rent and fines, court costs and attorney fees left him $19,500 in debt.

He won’t be moving out of the borrowed car anytime soon.

03 | 2022-2023 IMPACT REPORT • VPLC

It’s hard to get a job when you’re homeless.

VPLC is fighting the mass eviction machine.

When VPLC’s Housing Advocacy team learned about issues facing residents at a Henrico County apartment complex, they immediately began combing General District Court records.

Residents of Southwood Apartments in Richmond gather to learn more about their rights as tenants.

One Friday afternoon, they discovered that more than 200 residents at the Pointe at River City were scheduled to appear at the courthouse, with many on the docket the very next Monday morning!

It was a clear violation of tenants’ rights—the property had recently been purchased using a federally-backed mortgage, and the CARES Act required the landlord to provide residents a written, 30-day lease termination.

With so many families about to become homeless, VPLC’s team quickly organized a community meeting with tenants and spent sweltering summer days canvassing the complex.

Callers to the Eviction Legal Helpline and visitors to the www.housing.vplc.org website receive informative new selfhelp and advocacy materials to guide them through the eviction process.

They were able to advise more than 100 tenants using “Know Your Rights” pamphlets and connected many residents with additional legal resources including the Eviction Legal Helpline.

1-800-866-VPLC

VPLC’s Housing Advocacy Team at the 2022 Annual Statewide Legal Aid Conference, where they taught several session on ever-changing housing laws.

A tell-tale sign of eviction: a family’s possessions hurriedly thrown in the trash.

04 | 2022-2023 IMPACT REPORT • VPLC

AFFORDABLE UTILITIES VPLC Utilities & Justice Issues For many years, VPLC has advocated for fair and affordable utilities, as they are a significant part of housing affordability.

Some utilities such as electricity and water continue passing hefty increases along to consumers. In many lower-income communities, residents who truly need the lowest-cost options are least likely to get them.

VPLC had some real success in the last General Assembly in reinstating proper regulation of Virginia’s energy monopolies. We will continue important legislative lobbying efforts calling for the re-regulation of monopoly utilities such as Dominion and Appalachian Power.

NEW!

VPLC now has one number to help struggling Virginians find the resources they need to secure basic necessities.

05 | 2022-2023 IMPACT REPORT • VPLC

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

61,194

Simplifying food help

people used the free SNAP calculator during the fiscal year.

VPLC is committed to helping food-insecure Virginia families, many with children, disabled or elderly household members, connect with the resources they need.

It only takes two minutes for residents to find out if they‘re eligible using our free SNAP calculator, which is available online.

vplc.org/snap-calculator

VPLC changes discriminatory laws.

Local school boards can no longer deny students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities because they owe a school meal debt.

Public colleges and universities must publish and provide information to ensure that all students are aware of eligibility and application information for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

16,691

people accessed online self-help tools

to create

7,757

documents they could then file in court.

06 | 2022-2023 IMPACT REPORT • VPLC

PROTECTING MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR VIRGINIANS 10 Years of Enroll Virginia

Enroll Virginia was established by VPLC a decade ago as a community-based effort to educate Virginians about their health coverage options while providing unbiased application and enrollment assistance throughout the Commonwealth.

2000+

additional families became eligible for benefits

Since Medicaid “unwinding” began in 2023, our navigators have been busy helping members renew their coverage or transition to new insurance policies, while providing information to individuals and families still in need of coverage.

Statewide outreach includes free community health clinics, communication with immigrant farmworkers and rapid response measures when employers shut down operations and workers lose their health benefits.

13,047 Virginians got help securing coverage through Enroll Virginia.

541 outreach, education and marketing activities reached more than 85,000 people through partnerships with 100+ organizations.

07 | 2022-2023 IMPACT REPORT • VPLC

Former and current members of the Enroll Virginia team gathered in Richmond in 2023 to celebrate the program’s 10 year anniversary.

FAMILY & CHILD WELFARE Improving Outcomes, Protecting Rights As a leading voice on behalf of children, parents, and domestic and sexual violence victims, VPLC contines advocating for more just legal representation.

Our team of attorneys advocates for children and families by bringing attention to ongoing and emerging issues, putting data into action. Their advocacy protects survivors of interpersonal violence, improves outcomes for thousands of low-income children, preserves families and secures a better future for the next generation of Virginians.

VPLC lobbies for better care for disabled & older adults.

VPLC attorneys continue to fight for rights and protections for vulnerable adults, winning oversight for the guardianship system in the last session.

The Senior Legal Helpline provides callers age 60+ with free legal advice over the phone.

The helpline experts can assist people age 60+ who have a civil legal problem that involves Virginia or federal law on such topics as housing, wills, powers of attorney, debts, public benefits and mistreatment of the elderly.

Senior Legal Helpline

(844) 802-5910

This is not neglect.

Elsa Hackel, age 12, loved to walk to her nearby library every chance she could, and always with her mother's permission.

One day the police watched her as she made her way back home. Officers later appeared at her front door and made her afraid that she would be taken from her parents.

Members of the Virginia Senate Judiciary committee gave a round of applause to Elsa as she shared her story at the General Assembly 2023 session.

VPLC lobbied for the bill that secures the freedom of kids like Elsa. Letting kids explore their world is not neglect.

08 | 2022-2023 IMPACT REPORT • VPLC

LA VIDA Immigrants, especially women, are extraordinarily vulnerable to violent crimes.

The Legal Assistance to Victim-Immigrants of Domestic Abuse (LA VIDA) program provides outreach and legal services to low-income, legal aid-eligible undocumented or under-documented immigrant victims of domestic or workplace violence, including sexual violence and trafficking.

A connection can be a lifeline.

A young mother from El Salvador suffered years of domestic violence, often beaten in front of her children.

After finally escaping her abusive husband she worked with LA VIDA to apply for a U Visa, a nonimmigrant classification for victims of violence.

After waiting six years, she was finally approved.

Three years later, LA VIDA assisted her again in successfully applying for her permanent resident ‘green’ card.

VPLC prioritizes language access.

VPLC’s advocacy and application assistance materials are available in English & Spanish, and most are offered in additional languages.

Our Enroll Virginia navigator team includes Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese and Hindu/Urdu bilingual navigators.

The Virginia Language Connections scholarship fund was established in 2023 to increase access to in-person interpretation.

09 | 2022-2023 IMPACT REPORT • VPLC

438 20,357

bankruptcy applicants completed a guided legal info interview people used VPLC’s Do-It-Yourself Divorce program

The 2022 Annual Statewide Legal Aid Conference was our first in-person conference in two years. 550 people registered—our highest attendance in conference history. 67% attended in person and 33% joined virtually. We also expanded from three days to a four-day schedule to accommodate requests from the legal aid community for more sessions and to prevent eye fatigue for those attending virtually.

We are truly grateful to the below sponsors for their belief in Virginia’s legal aid community and their financial support of our first-ever hybrid conference.

500 attendees 37 sessions 12 CLEs offered 10 | 2022-2023 IMPACT REPORT • VPLC

FY23 FINANCIALS July 1 2022 - June 30, 2023

FY 23 financials are unaudited. Audited financials will be available at vplc.org in spring of 2024.

STAFF LEADERSHIP, BOARD OF DIRECTORS & ADVISORY COUNCIL STAFF LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & MEMBERS

James “Jay” Speer, Esq. Executive Director

Tori Andrea Babington, Esq. President

Salaam Bhatti, Esq. Deputy Director

Brianna Green Vice-President

Carol Gordon Office and Finance Manager

Emily Connor Kennedy, Esq. Secretary/Treasurer

Ezra Halstead Director, Center for Outreach Deepak Madala, Esq. Director, Center for Healthy Communities Christine E. Marra, Esq. Director of Housing Advocacy Toni Maxey Director of Development Connie Stevens Director of Communications Susheela Varky, Esq. Director, Center for Family Advocacy Dana Wiggins Director, Center for Economic Justice Contact 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 Phone: 804.782.9430 Fax: 804.649.0974 Email: info@vplc.org Helpline: 800.868.VPLC

Helen Hardiman, Esq. Immediate Past President ADVISORY COUNCIL Len Bennett, Esq. Jeffrey Breit, Esq. Jack Harris, Esq. Don King, Esq. Monica Monday, Esq. Kenneth Montero, Esq. Chip Nunley, Esq. Luis Perez, Esq. Dale Pittman, Esq. Catherine Read Jackie Stone, Esq. Lori Thompson, Esq.

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Esther “Jae” De La Mora Ayala Lauren Davis, Esq. Debra Grant Wanda Harry Pastor Rodney Hunter Margaret E. Ivey, Esq. Deshundra Jefferson Kristi Kelly, Esq. Ann Kloeckner, Esq. Lafonda Page Nicholas Rathod Brody Reid, Esq. L. Charde Reid Drew Sarrett, Esq. Gobind Sethi, Esq. Monda Siddiqui, Esq. Valerie Slater, Esq. Bryan Slaughter, Esq. Joanna Suyes, Esq. Stephen Teague, Esq. Daniel Watkins, Esq. Kathy Wright, Esq.

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