Rental & Mortgage Assistance for Evictions Related to COVID-19
Funding is available for rental and mortgage assistance to Hampton Roads households that are facing eviction due to COVID-19. Nonprofit partner, ForKids is administering the Rent and Mortgage Relief program. Households in need should call the Housing Crisis Hotline, (757) 587-4202, for eligibility screening.
Rent & Mortgage Relief Program for Landlords, Owners and Management Agents
Through a new state program, Virginia Housing is administering relief for renters experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP), eligible landlords can apply on behalf of their tenants to receive financial assistance for past-due rental payments dating back to April 1, 2020. Funding for RMRP is through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on Nov. 15, 2020 — take action today to see how RMRP may help your tenants make their past-due and current rent payments. See the flyer for more information, and get started with the application process at VirginiaHousing.com/RMRP.
Questions? Please email RMRP@VirginiaHousing.com.
The program provides eligible
households with assistance to help prevent foreclosure of low- and
moderate-income homeowners in Virginia Beach who have experienced loss of
employment income due to COVID-19. Assistance is provided one time and payments
are made directly to the mortgage company. The program does not provide rental
assistance. To start the application process, residents must complete a quick,
online questionnaire at
www.vbgov.com/mortgageassistance to
see if they meet the initial screening criteria. Full program details, terms
and conditions are also available there. Residents who are unable to complete
the online screening questionnaire should call (757) 385-5750 (or TTY: 757-711
Virginia Relay for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing).
FAQ's about Evictions
The Virginia Poverty Law Center has information on a variety of important resources to assist with navigating through the pandemic including protections for tenants, temporary changes to public housing policies, and loss of income during the pandemic.
Tools for Landlords and Tenants Impacted by COVID-19
- Tools for Landlords with Tenants Impacted by COVID-19 – This document helps landlords to engage with at-risk tenants while remaining in compliance with fair housing laws and understand the key elements of a repayment plan. The document provides links to sample rent repayment agreements.
- Tenant Guidance: Rent Repayment Plans – This document assists at-risk tenants in understanding and pursuing rent repayment agreements with their landlords. The document includes links to helpful resources and a sample script for requesting a repayment agreement from a landlord. Use of this guidance is optional and grantees and tenants are strongly cautioned to review their state and local laws as under some laws, a tenant notifying an owner of the inability to pay rent is sufficient for the owner to initiate eviction proceedings.
Foreclosure Prevention Resources
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Information and resources including "Hope for Homeowners," a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) refinancing program.
Hope Now Alliance: Coalition of lenders and institutions that provides counseling and contact information for borrowers. Call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673).
Freddie Mac - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation: Information on avoiding foreclosure
Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME), Inc.: Provides foreclosure prevention counseling and related assistance. Call (804) 354-0641.
Hampton Roads Housing Consortium: List of organizations that provide financial counseling and foreclosure resources in Virginia.
State and Regional Housing Resources
StayHomeVirginia.com: Federal and state protections are now in place to help renters and homeowners unable to make their monthly payments due to COVID-19. There are also resources available for property owners, developers and people experiencing homelessness.
Resources757.org: Information on additional COVID and non-COVID housing assistance and other resources throughout the region.