Why do you love living in Virginia? Is it the beautiful forests? The historical sites? Is it where you were born and raised?

Being a Virginian can be a challenge, considering the cost of living is above average in the country, but we know the Old Dominion State has much to offer.

With the rise in the cost of living across the country, emergency rental assistance is becoming more of a necessity for Americans each day. Emergency rental assistance in Virginia may be the resource you need to be able to not only stay in Virginia but also thrive there.

Finding Emergency Rental Assistance in Virginia

Emergency rental assistance usually serves as a one-time use resource that helps those in crisis pay their rent for just one month. One resource for finding emergency rental assistance in Virginia is the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which provides an itemized table of resources you can use for emergency rental assistance across the state by county. For example, the contact for finding emergency rental assistance in Richmond, VA is the Homeless Connection Line.

Additionally, a service you may be able to apply for is the Virginia Rent Relief Program. This program exists to provide emergency rental assistance to Virginians who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had long-lasting effects on the economy and people’s ability to pay rent. Both tenants and landlords are eligible to apply.

Depending on your region of residence, you may also want to check out the Virginia Housing and Supportive Services emergency rental assistance program. This program is available to low-income residents of the Northern Virginia area. Their site also provides a variety of other forms of assistance such as food assistance and financial counseling.

Other resources are available to those who live in specific counties; for example, Fairfax County has their own emergency rental assistance program for residents of Fairfax who meet certain eligibility requirements. Loudoun County also offers their residents mortgage and rental assistance programs, which you can view on their website.

Housing assistance was recently studied across the state of Virginia in the HB854 Statewide Housing Study, and in Chapter 21 Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention, the writers include a list of several programs provided across the state, including the State Rental Assistance Program, which serves the developmentally disabled population, the Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot (VERP), which mediates communication between landlords and tenants, and more.

Where Else Can I Turn?

One of the biggest challenges the state and initiatives face in the housing crisis is the long wait list, which means that even if you apply for one of these programs today, you may not be helped for quite some time. In the meantime, you may be able to contact some local charities, non-profits, or churches in your area for immediate assistance.

Many churches and religious charities around the country fundraise throughout the year for people like you who may be down on your luck and need immediate help. You may be inclined to contact your local church to see if they may be able to help you, but we also understand that not everyone would feel comfortable utilizing resources from religious organizations.

Some other options available to you may include your local Habitat for Humanity or United Way, which are both secular organizations.

On a national level, several initiatives are in place to reduce evictions and homelessness such as the Veterans Affairs Homeless Programs, available to veterans across the country. The National Low Income Housing Coalition also provides resources for all areas in the country, so using their search engine, you may discover that relocating may be the best option available for you at this time.

Other Payment Assistance Available to Virginians

While emergency rental assistance in Virginia may not be as immediate as you would hope, other options for cutting costs and making ends meet are available. For example, HUD provides a locator for subsidized housing as well as housing counseling, completely free of charge. HUD may also be able to help you pay your utility bills with their Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Above all else, we want you to know that we are here to support you throughout this journey, and you are not alone. Although it is tough, we encourage you to take advantage of your resources, including the team at Affordable Housing Hub!