--Delegate Peace Receives Housing Award for his Legislative Work--
CENTRAL VA – At their annual housing awards dinner, Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) was pleased to be named a “Housing Hero” by the Virginia Housing Coalition. This honor acknowledges Peace’s service to the public, particular and significant contributions to promoting affordable housing opportunities and legislative efforts to stimulate the housing market across the Commonwealth.
In early 2009, Peace recognized that in this time of economic challenge elected leaders must come together to put Virginia First in bipartisan ways, working together for solutions and in this case to Help Housing Now. In that spirit, Delegate Peace brought together a coalition of fellow legislators including Richmond area representatives Senator Don McEachin , Delegate Jennifer McClellan, Delegate Jimmie Massie, both D's and R's, and House and Senate, and representatives of the housing industry- both for-profits and non-profits. The Peace-McEachin workgroup asked many others, including legislators, industry representatives, and advocacy groups for input.
What developed were broad discussions about what the General Assembly could do, not only to reach out to a sagging housing sector, but also what legislators could do to ensure that in the future all of Virginia's citizens would access well-designed, quality constructed housing in safe neighborhoods with good schools and close to good paying jobs.
“I am humbled to be recognized by the Virginia Housing Coalition for my legislative efforts,” stated Peace. He continued, “As a member of the General Laws Committee, I am tasked with deliberating over many bills that impact the housing industry. Additionally I work with affordable housing advocacy groups. Housing is not simply a pivotal economic engine, but also a key component in our quality of life.”
Peace also serves on the Board of Directors for Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity and works diligently to provide affordable homes to people in the Greater Richmond area.
According to their website, the mission of the Virginia Housing Coalition is to improve access to safe and affordable housing. The organization is dedicated to promoting housing assistance from federal, state and local sources for low- and moderate-income Virginians. Through the Virginia Housing Coalition, representatives of local and regional groups can identify housing issues of common concern and develop effective strategies to address them. Virginia Housing Coalition leaders serve as spokespersons on housing-related issues for lower-income Virginians, giving voice to housing, community and economic development concerns in policy debates at the state and federal levels. For more information visit: http://www.vahousingcoalition.org/index.html
Delegate Christopher K. Peace was elected to his third term representing the 97th District of the Virginia House of Delegates. The District includes parts of Hanover, Caroline, King William, King and Queen, Henrico, Spotsylvania Counties and all of New Kent County.
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