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Fairfax and Chesterfield Counties Rent Relief

Virginia Rent Relief Program - Update as of 2/12/2021

Attention Chesterfield and Fairfax Counties:

Chesterfield and Fairfax Counties have elected to administer rent relief programs at the local level as permitted by Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance program. As a result, effective 11:59 pm February 14, 2021, Virginia Housing will no longer be able to accept applications or amendments for residents that reside in these localities. Landlords will be referred to their local program for assistance.

Applications submitted by landlords prior to February 14th at 11:59 pm will be reviewed for eligibility and processed for payment by Virginia Housing. 

Grant amendments submitted by landlords prior to February 14th at 11:59 pm will be reviewed for eligibility and processed for payment by Virginia Housing.

Chesterfield County

Chesterfield County residents who have been impacted by Covid-19 have two ways of applying for rent assistance through current federal funding:

• Call ACTS at 804-644-2401. Press 2 and leave a message. (Spanish speaking residents press 5). Calls will be returned in the order in which they are received.
• Complete online application at http://actsrva.org/chesterfield-cera-application/

Chesterfield County landlords may apply on behalf of their tenants by sending completed applications with required documentation attached to [email protected].

• Landlords may find necessary information with instructions at http://actsrva.org/chesterfield-landlord-information.

Fairfax County

Fairfax County residents seeking rent assistance:

• Call Fairfax County’s Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880, TTY 711 (Monday through Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM)
• Website (provides general information and is not an application portal): https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/coordinated-services-planning

Fairfax County landlords seeking rental assistance on behalf of their tenant:

• The Fairfax County Landlord Portal can be found on their Eviction Prevention website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health-humanservices/eviction-prevention
• Telephone: 703-324-5580
• Email: [email protected]

A LETTER FROM DHCD AND VIRGINIA HOUSING:

Dear Landlords,

Thank you for applying for rental assistance through the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP), now known as the Virginia Rent Relief Program (RRP).

We are transitioning to a new federal funding source which requires us to collect income verification for the two months prior to the application and the most recent income verification for all adult household members.

The additional two months of documentation does not change how we calculate your current income or your eligibility for assistance. It is strictly for documentation purposes.

We understand this is an inconvenience. However, with the additional documentation, we may be able to pay an additional three months of future rent for eligible households. This is in addition to the current month's rent and all eligible arrears dating back to April 1, 2020.

Applications will be negotiated back for the additional documents. Please log into GMS and upload income documents for the two months prior to the application and the most recent income verification for all adult household members.

We appreciate your understanding.

We have included some scenarios below to help guide you through how the additional income documentation may affect your application:

Examples:

Scenario #1

• Application started on February 3rd (or any time before an applicant has income documentation for the month of application).
• Use the most recent January paystub to determine eligibility. Collect January & December income documentation to satisfy treasury.

Scenario #2

• Application started on February 17th (or at any point when the applicant has income documentation for the month of application).
• Use the most recent February paystub to determine eligibility. Collect January & December income documentation to satisfy treasury.

Scenario #3

• Application started in e.g. December, does not need February rent, only rent up to December.
• Use the most recent December paystub to determine eligibility (likely what was submitted with the application). Collect October & November income documentation to satisfy treasury.

Scenario #4

• Application started in e.g. December needs current and prospective rent.
• Refer to Scenarios 1 & 2 and treat it like a new application.

Exclusions: These income sources are documented via a benefit verification letter, sometimes called an award letter or proof of income letter, or do not have the income to verify and do not require the additional months of income documentation.

• Zero Income Households
• Monthly public assistance benefits from Social Services, e.g. TANF, General Relief
• Social Security
• SSI
• VA Pensions
• Railroad Retirement
• Civil Service Pension
• General Retirement from Employer
• Unemployment Benefits

Thank you for your continued efforts, we’re working hard to process all of the requests in a timely manner. Your support in submitting complete, accurate applications helps! We will be providing additional information next week to assist you with managing RMRP for your tenants.

VirginiaHousing.com/RentRelief

[email protected]