V.O.I.C.E. of Northern Virginia

NOVA’s rapid urbanization means that in “wealthy” suburban counties, thousands of families lack affordable housing, quality education, living wage jobs, access to subsidized day care as well as mental health services.  It is important to address the basic needs of low and middle-income families in NOVA.

Currently, no power organization exists in NOVA that engages leaders across the divides of race, culture, income, faith, or geography.  As a result, NOVA residents have limited capacity to initiate public action on their issues (e.g. affordable housing, immigration, child care, etc.) and to partner with and hold the government and corporate sectors accountable for addressing these issues.  Also, organizing efforts often fall short because leaders and communities get played against one another—diluting their power.  V.O.I.C.E./IAF seeks to create long-term power: a broad and united front of organized institutions—organized people and organized money--acting consistently and persistently for change on multiple issues at the local and regional levels.

One in four NOVA residents is foreign born.  NOVA has become the focus of the national debate about how local governments should or should not restrict the rights of immigrants. Immigrants have lacked a vehicle to address these issues and represent their interests.  As well, there has been no organization that can challenge the stereotypes on either side of the immigration issue and help leaders find common ground.

NOVA is the economic and political power center of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Fairfax County alone has a $54.81 billion economy and is the largest economy in the Washington region and employs over 544,000 people.  It possesses some of the most important high-tech companies in the nation.  25% of all Virginia voters live in NOVA and the region generates over 1/3 of the tax revenue for the Commonwealth.

Virginia is one of twenty states that operate under the Dillon rule—all power in the Commonwealth resides at the state level unless it is given explicitly by the state to local jurisdictions.  For example, local governments cannot raise taxes without permission from the State Legislature; state law restricts local zoning; and local jurisdictions cannot pass laws restricting developers’ displacement of low-income tenants.  Hence, V.O.I.C.E. Clergy decided to organize both locally and regionally to build enough power to address local issues in Prince William, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and in Richmond when necessary.

With NOVA’s growth and urbanization, the Commonwealth’s politics have become more balanced.  In Fall 2007, Virginians gave control of state senate to Democrats for the first time in 16 years. Republicans maintained control of the House of Delegates. This balance gives a power organization like V.O.I.C.E. greater leverage to make change locally and statewide.  Also, the Commonwealth is now one of the few Southern swing states in national politics along with Florida.