Because of Virginia REALTORS^®‘ efforts with state leaders to streamline the process, the commonwealth’s Rent Relief Program is being noted as a model program for the nation. Housing providers can apply directly for the funding and request past-due rent dating back to April of 2020. Housing providers are paid directly in a reasonable time frame.

If your client’s tenants have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are having trouble paying rent, Virginia has hundreds of millions of dollars still available in the Virginia Rent Relief Program to help.

Of the initial $550 million in federal funds for rent relief, Virginia has allocated more than $268 million to assist more than 41,000 unique households who have gotten behind because of COVID-19. That first round of funding will be available until September 30, 2022, or when the money runs out, whichever comes first. After that initial funding, an additional $350 million will be made available until September 30, 2025, or until it runs out.

If you haven’t applied for the Rent Relief Program yet, and have owners and tenants who qualify, you can set up a profile with Virginia Housing on their website. For properties in Chesterfield County or Fairfax County, the local governments have set up unique programs for their jurisdictions, so please visit their respective websites.

*Information as of 07/21/21