Virginia Rent Relief Program (RRP)

RRP Application Prioritization

Equitable distribution of rental assistance throughout Virginia is a guiding principle of the Virginia Rent Relief Program (RRP). Prioritization is given to households who are currently facing eviction, whose income is at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI), and/or include an adult who has been unemployed more than 90 days. Out of the households that have received payments since the inception of the program (as of July 1, 2021), more than 79% of all households are at or below 30% of area median income.

In addition, DHCD seeks to promote RRP within historically economically disadvantaged communities. As of July 1, 2021, RRP data shows that of those who identified their race, Black households account for almost 52% of those served, and white households account for 23% of those served. Over 67% of households served have included children under 8 years old. To support this effort, DHCD has initiated the RRP Outreach and Engagement grant to strategically assist households and landlords who have limited access to the Internet or are not able to complete the online RRP application due to accessibility and language barriers.

RRP Marketing Toolkit

Please use any materials from this Marketing Toolkit with your members/group to help raise awareness that rent relief is available for those affected by the pandemic. You can print or email the flyers and infographic and send to your members or constituents. You may also download social media assets and post to your social media accounts to help spread the word. You will see a small ‘download’ icon in the upper right-hand corner of the materials, as well as an alert that pops up. Click OK and it will navigate to that page on the website.

RRP Marketing Toolkit
RRP Landlord Flyer | RRP Tenant Flyer (English)
RRP Landlord Flyer | RRP Tenant Flyer (Spanish)
RRP Landlord Flyer | RRP Tenant Flyer (Chinese)
RRP Landlord Flyer | RRP Tenant Flyer (Arabic)
RRP Landlord Flyer | RRP Tenant Flyer (Korean)
RRP Landlord Flyer | RRP Tenant Flyer (Vietnamese)
RRP Landlord Flyer | RRP Tenant Flyer (Tagalog)
RRP Logo
RRP Infographic
RRP Tenant Social Media Graphics (English)
RRP Landlord Social Media Graphics (English)
RRP Tenant Social Media Graphics (Spanish)
RRP Landlord Social Media Graphics (Spanish)

RRP Stakeholder Presentation

Virginia is ramping up efforts to distribute $524 million in federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funding through the Virginia Rent Relief Program (RRP) to ensure housing stability across the commonwealth. With the national eviction moratorium extended through June 30, 2021, landlords can seek rent relief on behalf of their tenants who cannot pay their rent due to financial hardships as a result of COVID-19. Likewise, tenants can apply directly for rent relief through the state program through the RRP Support Center.

Chris Thompson, director of strategic housing for Virginia Housing, and Senta Gorrie, associate director of eviction prevention for the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development spoke with stakeholders and partner groups during two webinars on April 14. Below are materials from those sessions:

RRP Stakeholder Presentation

RRP Stakeholder Webinar 1 Recording (11 a.m.)

RRP Stakeholder Webinar 2 Recording (2 p.m.)

The RRP will provide financial assistance on behalf of renters who meet the following criteria:

RRP may be able to provide rent relief for households who have experienced a negative financial impact due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Do any of the below statements apply to you?
- LOSS OF INCOME
- You have been laid off.
- Your place of employment has closed.
- You have experienced a reduction in hours of work.
- You must stay home to care for children due to closure of day care and/or school.
- You must stay home to care for children due to distance learning.
- You have lost child or spousal support.
- You have had an increase in expenses due to COVID-19, i.e. child care, medical bills, etc.
- You have been unable to find employment due to COVID-19.
- You are unwilling or unable to participate in their previous employment due their high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
- Increase in Expenses
- You have had an Increase in childcare expenses.
- You have had an increase in medical expenses.
- You have had an increase in food costs.
- You have had an increase in utility costs.
Have a rent amount that is at or below 150% Fair Market Rent (FMR).
Have a gross household income at or below 80% area median income (AMI) (based on current month’s income). The determination of income includes any unemployment insurance received by a member of the household but does not include one-time payments such as a stimulus check.

To check your eligibility, click here.

Proof of income (pay stubs, bank statements, letter from employer, social security documents, pension)
- Fact-specific Proxy -Households of three or less individuals who live in one of these zip codes, your RRP application does not require income documentation.
- Categorical Eligibility - Households of three or less individuals who participate in any of the following: TANF, WIC, SNAP or LIHEAP are automatically deemed income eligible and only need to provide a benefit letter, dated on or after Jan. 1, 2020, as income documentation.
- General Income Eligibility - If an applicant does not meet Fact-specific Proxy or Categorical Eligibility as outlined above, applicants must determine their income eligibility by calculating the household’s current monthly gross income for all adult household members, including payments made to an adult on behalf of a child living in the home. The amount must be at or below 80% AMI, which can be determined here. An applicant may provide one of the following documents as supporting documentation to verify income eligibility: pay stub, W-2, other wage statement, tax filing, bank statement, or a written attestation from an employer.
Valid lease or other documentation confirming the landlord-tenant relationship.
The RRP Support Center will assist the household in obtaining these documents.
Virginia W-9 must be submitted by the landlord.
Certification of Voluntary Tenant Vacancy
Cash Income Certification
Landlord-Tenant Household Agreement
Zero Income Certification
Third-Party Release Form
Under $5,000 Asset Certification Form
Self-employed Certification Form
Roommate Certification Form

Do you have a current application in process with RRP? Click here to begin a new application.

Are you a tenant applying for the first time to RRP? Click here to begin a new application.

Are you a landlord with tenants unable to pay rent due to COVID-19?

Are you a Chesterfield County resident? Click here to access your local program.

Are you a Fairfax County resident? Click here to access your local program.

RRP Landlord Application FAQs

RRP Tenant Application FAQs

If you suspect an RRP applicant has, intentionally or unintentionally, submitted a fraudulent application or fraudulent supporting documentation, please email rrpfraud@dhcd.virginia.gov.

RRP Outreach and Engagement Grant

RRP Engagement and Outreach How-to-Apply Webinar

RRP Tenant Flyer | Spanish

RRP Landlord Flyer | Spanish

Tenant and Landlord Resources

2-1-1 Virginia

StayHomeVirginia.com

Virginia Poverty Law Center COVID-19 Civil Legal Response in Virginia

Virginia Legal Aid

Virginia Fair Housing Office

Eviction Hotline