Rental assistance in Richmond, VA: every program, who qualifies, how to apply

Last updated 2026-07-09

What rental assistance programs are available in Richmond, VA?

Richmond has more programs than most mid-size cities. Two reasons: concentrated federal money after COVID, and Virginia's habit of funding its own rental safety net on top of HUD dollars. Here's what's actually running as of mid-2025.

RRHA Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8): The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority runs the federally funded housing choice voucher program under 42 U.S.C. § 1437f. Voucher holders pay roughly 30% of adjusted income toward rent; RRHA pays the landlord the rest, up to a published Payment Standard. This is the biggest long-term program, with about 4,000 vouchers in use across the Richmond area. ^[1]

RRHA Project-Based Vouchers (PBV): Same subsidy math as a tenant-based voucher, but the money is attached to a specific unit, not to you. Move out and you leave the subsidy behind. Best for people who plan to stay put for years.

Virginia RENT (Rent and Mortgage Relief Program): Virginia's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has run several rounds of emergency and ongoing rental assistance funded by ARPA and HUD HOME-ARP money. In 2024 DHCD narrowed its focus to households at or below 30% AMI. Funding opens and closes in waves, so check dhcd.virginia.gov for current status. ^[2]

HOME Investment Partnerships Program: HUD sends HOME money to the City of Richmond, which contracts with nonprofits like Housing Families First and the Homeward Continuum of Care to deliver short-term rental assistance and stabilization. Small in total slots, but faster to reach than RRHA's waitlist. ^[2]

LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) properties: Privately owned apartments that agreed, in exchange for federal tax credits, to cap rents at 30% of 50% or 60% AMI. You apply directly to the property. No voucher needed. Richmond has dozens of these, and their waitlists often beat RRHA's. If you're stuck on the RRHA list, learning how low income housing tax credit properties work is time well spent. ^[13]

Richmond Department of Social Services (DSS) Homelessness Prevention Fund: One-time grants, usually covering one to three months of rent arrears, for households facing eviction. Funding is limited and not guaranteed year to year, but it has stayed available since 2020. Call 804-646-7000 to reach Richmond DSS.

Each of these has its own eligibility rules, timelines, and forms. The sections below walk through the two that matter most, the Housing Choice Voucher and the emergency options, in enough detail that you can actually apply.

Who qualifies for rental assistance in Richmond, VA?

Eligibility depends on the program, but three factors run through almost all of them: income, family size, and immigration status.

Income limits for RRHA vouchers: HUD publishes income limits every year by family size and metro. The Richmond-Petersburg MSA 2024 limits, which RRHA uses, are in the table below. Federal law requires RRHA to give at least 75% of newly issued vouchers to households at or below 30% AMI (Extremely Low Income), per 24 CFR § 982.201. ^[4][5]

Household size	30% AMI (Extremely Low)	50% AMI (Very Low)	80% AMI (Low)
1 person	$22,150	$36,900	$58,950
2 persons	$25,300	$42,200	$67,400
3 persons	$28,450	$47,450	$75,800
4 persons	$31,600	$52,650	$84,150
5 persons	$34,150	$56,900	$90,900
6 persons	$36,650	$61,100	$97,600

Source: HUD FY2024 Income Limits, Richmond, VA Metro Area ^[4]

You can be admitted at up to 80% AMI. But since 75% of slots must go to extremely low-income households, applicants above 30% AMI wait a lot longer in practice.

Citizenship and immigration status: At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status. Mixed-status families can still apply; the subsidy is prorated to cover only the eligible members, per 24 CFR § 5.516. ^[5]

Criminal background: RRHA screens for certain criminal history. Conviction for making methamphetamine on federally assisted housing premises is a permanent bar under federal law. For other offenses, RRHA applies a look-back period and weighs evidence of rehabilitation. The current rules live in RRHA's Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP).

For Virginia RENT and emergency programs: Most require that you have a lease, that a financial hardship caused the rent debt, and that you fall under the program's income ceiling, usually 80% AMI. Some rounds tightened to 50% or 30% AMI when money ran short. Expect to show a lease, ID, proof of income, and a landlord-signed statement of arrears.

Is the RRHA Section 8 waiting list open right now?

As of mid-2025, RRHA's tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is closed. RRHA last opened it in 2022, took applications for a short window, and closed it again once the queue filled. No reopening date has been announced. ^[1]

This is normal. Most large public housing authorities in Virginia keep their lists closed for months or years. RRHA has about 4,000 active vouchers and small annual turnover, so the math is brutal: when they open, they draw thousands of applicants for a few hundred eventual slots.

What to actually do right now:

1. Sign up for RRHA's notification list at rrha.com so you get an email the moment the waitlist opens. The window can be as short as 72 hours. 2. Apply to voucher programs in neighboring jurisdictions. Henrico County's Department of Housing and Chesterfield County's housing office both run separate programs. You can port a voucher into Richmond after finishing a 12-month initial lease in the issuing jurisdiction, under 24 CFR § 982.353. ^[5] 3. Scan open section 8 waiting lists at other Virginia PHAs and apply broadly. 4. Apply directly to LIHTC properties in Richmond. Rents are capped without a voucher, and some lists move faster.

Need help this month, not in two years? Jump to the emergency section below.

How does the RRHA voucher program actually work once you have one?

Getting a voucher is step one. Using it right is where people lose it. Here's the mechanics.

When RRHA issues your voucher, you get a letter with your voucher bedroom size (based on family composition, not preference) and your search period. That's 60 days by default, extendable to 120 with RRHA approval. During that window you find a landlord who'll take the voucher, negotiate rent, and submit a Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) to RRHA.

RRHA then inspects the unit against HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS) under 24 CFR § 982.401. Pass the inspection, and RRHA checks that the rent is reasonable next to unassisted units nearby, signs a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract with the landlord, and starts paying. ^[5]

Your share is 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Pick a unit at or below RRHA's Payment Standard, and you pay 30% of income while RRHA covers the rest. Pick a unit above the Payment Standard, and you eat the full gap yourself, so your out-of-pocket can climb well past 30%. Federal rules let you pay up to 40% of gross monthly income in the first year, but many voucher counselors tell you not to. ^[5]

RRHA's Payment Standards (the ceiling they'll subsidize) run higher for bigger units. Recent schedules ranged from roughly $1,400 for a studio to $2,600 for a 4-bedroom. These numbers reset every year based on HUD's Fair Market Rents (FMRs), which have climbed hard in the Richmond metro since 2021. Confirm the current schedule with RRHA before you shop. ^[7]

Once you're housed, you recertify income every year and can port your voucher to another jurisdiction after your initial 12-month lease. Thinking about moving within Virginia? Read up on section 8 portability before you sign anything.

What emergency rental assistance is available in Richmond right now?

Behind on rent today or facing eviction? The voucher waitlist won't save you. These are the programs that can help in weeks, not years.

Richmond Department of Social Services (DSS): The city DSS office runs homelessness prevention funding and sometimes partners with ARPA-funded programs. They can authorize one-time payments straight to landlords for households at risk of eviction. Income limits and covered months change by funding round. Call 804-646-7000 or visit 900 E. Marshall St.

Housing Families First: This nonprofit works with families who have children, offering short-term rental assistance (typically one to three months) as part of rapid rehousing. They also help people find section 8 houses for rent and other affordable options. Call 804-343-3374.

Homeward / Continuum of Care: Homeward manages Richmond's Continuum of Care (CoC), coordinating federal McKinney-Vento homeless assistance dollars. If you're already without housing or about to lose it, Homeward connects you to rapid rehousing that can pay first month, last month, and ongoing rent while you stabilize. Dial 2-1-1 to get connected.

Virginia 211: Dial 2-1-1 from any Virginia phone. The call is free. Specialists screen you for everything you might qualify for, including utility help (LIHEAP), food (SNAP), and rental assistance. This is the fastest first move if you don't know where to start.

Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC): Already got an unlawful detainer (an eviction filing)? Call LAJC at 804-643-1086. They represent low-income tenants in eviction court and can sometimes negotiate time and payment plans. Richmond's eviction filing rate runs high, and legal representation changes outcomes. ^[8]

Here's the honest reality check. Emergency rental assistance in Richmond, like most cities, tightened hard since 2022, when the bulk of ARPA money went out the door. The big ERA programs that paid up to 18 months of back rent are mostly gone. What's left is patchwork, smaller, and often first-come, first-served. Apply to everything you qualify for at the same time, not one at a time.

What are the income limits and Payment Standards for Richmond in 2024 to 2025?

Two numbers decide how much the voucher pays: the Payment Standard (set by RRHA from HUD's Fair Market Rent) and your income (which sets your 30% share). ^[4][7]

HUD publishes Fair Market Rents every year for the Richmond-Petersburg, VA HUD Metro FMR Area. The FY2025 FMRs, which shape Payment Standards in late 2024 and into 2025, are:

Bedroom size	FY2025 FMR (Richmond metro)
Efficiency	$1,198
1 bedroom	$1,330
2 bedrooms	$1,587
3 bedrooms	$2,087
4 bedrooms	$2,507

Source: HUD FY2025 Fair Market Rents, Richmond-Petersburg, VA ^[7]

RRHA sets its Payment Standards between 90% and 110% of the FMR. In pricier submarkets (think neighborhoods near Scott's Addition or the Fan), RRHA may use Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs), which are set at the ZIP-code level. HUD has designated the Richmond metro a SAFMR area, so voucher values can swing meaningfully by ZIP within the city. ^[7]

Run the math before you fall for a unit. Say you're a family of three earning $30,000 a year. Your adjusted monthly income is roughly $2,500, so your 30% share is $750. If RRHA's 2-bedroom Payment Standard in your ZIP is $1,587, the voucher covers the remaining $837. Find a 2-bedroom at $1,587 or less and you pay $750.

Now the asking rent is $1,800. You owe the $213 gap on top of your income share, so your monthly payment jumps to $963 instead of $750. That's the difference a Payment Standard makes.

How do landlords in Richmond accept Section 8 vouchers?

Virginia protects source of income. Under Virginia Code § 36-96.3, landlords with four or more units cannot refuse to rent to someone just because they hold a housing voucher. ^[9] The law took effect January 1, 2021, and it applies in Richmond. So a landlord with 10 units saying "we don't take Section 8" is breaking the law.

Enforcement still depends on tenants filing complaints with the Virginia Fair Housing Office, and some landlords screen out voucher holders indirectly. Knowing your rights matters.

For landlords who want to accept vouchers (or now have to comply), the process runs like this:

1. A voucher holder submits an RTA for your unit. 2. RRHA schedules an HQS inspection, usually within 15 business days. 3. If the unit passes, RRHA sends a HAP contract. You sign it. 4. RRHA deposits the Housing Assistance Payment into your bank account each month, on the first business day. 5. The tenant pays their share directly to you.

What landlords get: guaranteed monthly government payments, lower vacancy risk (voucher holders tend to stay longer), and access to a large pool of pre-screened tenants. The friction is the inspection and the rent reasonableness check. If your unit needs repairs to meet HQS, you either fix them or lose the lease. RRHA won't pay for a unit that fails.

Weighing whether to participate? VoucherReady has a landlord kit that walks through HAP contract terms, common HQS failures, and rent reasonableness documentation in plain language. It's the fastest way to dodge the mistakes that push your first payment back six weeks.

For more on listing your unit to voucher holders, see go section 8 and hud housing resources.

What does a Section 8 inspection in Richmond involve?

Every unit has to pass an HQS inspection before RRHA pays a dime. HUD sets the standards under 24 CFR § 982.401, covering 13 performance areas: sanitary facilities, food preparation and refuse disposal, space and security, thermal environment, illumination and electricity, structure and materials, interior air quality, water supply, lead-based paint, access, site and neighborhood, sanitary conditions, and smoke detectors. ^[5]

Richmond's housing stock skews old, so the common failure points are predictable:

• Missing or dead smoke detectors (required on every floor and outside every sleeping area)
• Inoperable windows that also serve as emergency egress
• Peeling paint in pre-1978 housing (the lead paint rule applies to any unit built before 1978 where a child under 6 will live)
• Defective plumbing or hot water heaters
• Electrical hazards, including missing outlet covers and exposed wiring

Fail, and the landlord gets a written list plus usually 30 days to fix things before a re-inspection. Minor failures sometimes get a 24-hour correction window. The tenant can't move in until the unit passes.

One thing landlords keep underestimating: RRHA inspectors check your unit against federal standards, not a personal-preference list. A unit that clears Richmond city code can still flunk HQS because the thresholds differ. Do your own pre-inspection walkthrough against HUD's HQS checklist before you schedule RRHA.

How long does it take to get rental assistance in Richmond?

Honest answer: it depends heavily on which program you're chasing.

Housing Choice Voucher (if the list were open): RRHA hasn't published wait times, but given program size and turnover, waits of two to five years from waitlist placement to voucher issuance are realistic. ^[1] That tracks with national data showing a median Section 8 wait of about 26 months, though high-demand cities run much longer. ^[10]

Emergency rental assistance (DSS or nonprofit): If you qualify, payment to your landlord can land in one to four weeks. The bottleneck is usually documentation, not the funding decision.

LIHTC properties: Depending on the property and vacancy rate, waitlists run from a few weeks to a year. Some Richmond properties show vacancies on a rolling basis.

Virginia RENT: When rounds are open, DHCD has aimed for 30-day processing. During high-volume stretches, that stretched to 60 days. ^[2]

Apply for a voucher through a neighboring PHA and plan to port to Richmond after 12 months, and you're looking at a minimum 12-month delay before you can move the voucher here, plus whatever the other PHA's list takes. Long road. For people with flexible geography, it sometimes works.

The bottom line is simple. There's no fast path to a long-term Housing Choice Voucher in Richmond right now. Emergency money moves faster but isn't permanent. Run both tracks at once.

Are there rental assistance options specifically for seniors or people with disabilities in Richmond?

Yes. Several programs target these households directly.

HUD 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly: HUD funds dedicated affordable rental properties for seniors age 62 and older in Richmond. These are low income senior housing properties with supportive services, rents set at 30% of income. You apply directly to the property. Find 202 properties in Richmond through HUD's Resource Locator at resources.hud.gov.

HUD 811 Supportive Housing for People with Disabilities: Same structure as 202, but for non-elderly adults with disabilities. DHCD runs the 811 Project Rental Assistance program in Virginia, placing tenant-based subsidies in integrated apartment communities. ^[2]

RRHA disability preferences: When RRHA's waiting list is open, it includes a preference for people with disabilities who are leaving institutions or who need accessible housing. That preference can move you up relative to other applicants.

VASH Vouchers (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing): For veterans experiencing homelessness. VASH pairs a voucher with VA case management. RRHA runs VASH vouchers with the Richmond VA Medical Center. Veterans can self-refer by calling the Richmond VAMC at 804-675-5000.

Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): Virginia's Medicaid HCBS waivers sometimes include housing navigation and deposit help for adults with disabilities leaving institutional care. It isn't a rent subsidy as such, but it can cover move-in costs. Contact the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) for current waiver availability.

How do you actually apply for rental assistance in Richmond, VA?

The process changes by program. Here's the practical how-to for each main path.

RRHA Housing Choice Voucher:

• Watch rrha.com for waitlist openings. Sign up for email alerts.
• When the list opens, apply online at RRHA's portal. Applications typically stay open 72 hours to two weeks, then close.
• Have ready: photo ID for every adult household member, Social Security numbers for all members, proof of income (pay stubs, benefit award letters), and your current address.
• RRHA runs a lottery among eligible applicants, then ranks by preferences. You'll get a letter confirming your waitlist position.

Emergency Rental Assistance (Richmond DSS):

• Call 804-646-7000 or go to 900 E. Marshall St., Richmond VA 23219.
• Bring your lease, a current utility bill (for address verification), ID, proof of income, and your arrears statement or eviction notice.
• DSS staff assess eligibility and either process assistance directly or refer you to a nonprofit partner.

Virginia RENT (DHCD):

• Apply online at dhcd.virginia.gov when rounds are open.
• Both tenant and landlord have to participate. The landlord signs off on the application and agrees to the payment terms.
• Required documents: lease, proof of income, landlord's W-9, and documentation of financial hardship. ^[2]

211 Virginia:

• Dial 2-1-1. Specialists are available 24/7.
• This is the fastest first step if you're unsure which program fits. The database updates constantly with current availability, which shifts faster than any article can track.

VoucherReady's free tenant tools include a document checklist built for RRHA applications, which can keep you from getting bounced when the window is short.

What tenant rights apply if your landlord refuses a voucher in Richmond?

Virginia's source-of-income protection is real and it has teeth. But you have to invoke it.

Under Virginia Code § 36-96.3, a landlord with four or more rental units cannot refuse to rent, refuse to negotiate, or otherwise make a unit unavailable to someone because of their source of income, which includes housing vouchers. ^[9] The law reaches advertising, application screening, lease terms, and renewal.

When a landlord violates it:

1. File a complaint with the Virginia Fair Housing Office at DPOR (dpor.virginia.gov). You have one year from the discriminatory act to file. ^[12] 2. Or contact the Legal Aid Justice Center (804-643-1086) or the Virginia Poverty Law Center. They can advise whether you have a civil case. 3. You can also file a fair housing complaint with HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) within 180 days of the act, at hud.gov/fairhousing. ^[11]

Some landlords skip explicit refusals and use pretextual screening instead, setting income requirements so high no voucher holder qualifies (for example, demanding income of 3x market rent rather than 3x the tenant's share). This practice is drawing more scrutiny, and some fair housing advocates argue it violates the spirit of § 36-96.3.

Running into walls while you search? Try rental assistance resources that aggregate voucher-friendly landlords. And housing authority staff can sometimes point you informally to landlords with established HAP contracts, who tend to know the process.

Frequently asked questions

Is the RRHA Section 8 waiting list open in 2025?

As of mid-2025, RRHA's tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is closed. RRHA last opened it in 2022 and has not announced a new date. Monitor rrha.com and sign up for email alerts. In the meantime, apply to Henrico or Chesterfield County housing offices, which run separate lists, and look into LIHTC properties in Richmond that don't require a voucher.

What is the income limit for Section 8 in Richmond, VA?

For a family of four in the Richmond metro, the 2024 limits are $31,600 (30% AMI, Extremely Low), $52,650 (50% AMI, Very Low), and $84,150 (80% AMI, Low). RRHA must give at least 75% of new vouchers to households at or below 30% AMI under federal rules (24 CFR § 982.201), so higher-income applicants face much longer effective waits.

How much does Section 8 pay for rent in Richmond?

RRHA pays the difference between the lower of the actual rent or the Payment Standard, minus 30% of the tenant's adjusted monthly income. HUD's FY2025 Fair Market Rents for Richmond run from $1,198 for a studio to $2,507 for a 4-bedroom. RRHA sets its Payment Standards off these FMRs. Richmond uses Small Area FMRs, so the actual figure varies by ZIP code.

Can a landlord in Richmond refuse to accept a Section 8 voucher?

No, if they own four or more rental units. Virginia Code § 36-96.3, effective January 1, 2021, prohibits housing discrimination based on source of income, including housing vouchers. Landlords who refuse can face complaints with Virginia's Fair Housing Office (DPOR) or HUD's FHEO. Smaller landlords with three or fewer units are currently exempt from this specific provision.

What documents do I need to apply for rental assistance in Richmond?

For most programs you'll need photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security numbers, proof of income (pay stubs, benefit award letters, or a zero-income statement), a current signed lease, and documentation of your hardship or arrears. For Virginia RENT applications, your landlord also has to participate and submit a W-9 and a statement of the amount owed.

Is there emergency rental assistance available in Richmond, VA right now?

Yes, in limited form. Richmond DSS (804-646-7000), Housing Families First (804-343-3374), and the Homeward CoC all provide short-term emergency rental assistance. These programs are smaller and more targeted than the 2021-2022 ARPA-era programs. Dial 2-1-1 for a real-time referral to whichever programs have current funding, because availability shifts faster than any static resource can track.

How long is the wait for Section 8 in Richmond, Virginia?

RRHA does not publish an official estimate, but with roughly 4,000 active vouchers and limited annual turnover, waits of two to five years from waitlist placement to voucher issuance are realistic. National data from HUD's 2021 Picture of Subsidized Households shows a median voucher wait of about 26 months across all PHAs, and large urban PHAs typically run longer.

Does Richmond have Section 8 housing for seniors specifically?

Yes. HUD funds 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly properties in Richmond, where rents are set at 30% of income for residents aged 62 and older. RRHA also keeps waiting list preferences for elderly and disabled households. Use HUD's Resource Locator at resources.hud.gov to find specific 202 properties in Richmond and contact them directly to apply.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher from another city in Richmond?

Yes, through portability. Under 24 CFR § 982.353, once you've finished a 12-month initial lease in the jurisdiction that issued your voucher, you can request a portability transfer to Richmond. RRHA either absorbs the voucher or bills the original PHA. The process takes several weeks. Portability is one of the most underused strategies for households willing to start out in a jurisdiction with a shorter waitlist.

What is the Virginia RENT program and is it still accepting applications?

Virginia RENT is a state-administered rental assistance program run by DHCD, funded through ARPA and HUD HOME-ARP money. It targeted households at or below 80% AMI, with later rounds focusing on 30% AMI. Availability is intermittent, opening and closing by round. Check dhcd.virginia.gov for current status. When open, both tenant and landlord must apply jointly.

Are there LIHTC apartments in Richmond without a Section 8 waitlist?

Yes. Richmond has dozens of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties with rents capped at 30% of 50% or 60% AMI. You apply directly to the property, no voucher needed. Some have short or no current waitlists. Search Virginia Housing's LIHTC database at vhda.com or HUD's affordable apartment search at huduser.gov to find properties near you.

What happens if my unit fails a Section 8 inspection in Richmond?

RRHA issues a written list of deficiencies and typically gives the landlord 30 days to make repairs, with a re-inspection afterward. For minor items, a 24-hour correction window may apply. The tenant can't move in and RRHA won't start payments until the unit passes. Landlords should run a pre-inspection walkthrough against HUD's HQS checklist (24 CFR § 982.401) before scheduling RRHA.

Who do I call for help with an eviction in Richmond, VA?

Call the Legal Aid Justice Center at 804-643-1086 if you've received an unlawful detainer or eviction notice. They provide free legal representation to low-income tenants in Richmond eviction proceedings. Also dial 2-1-1 to connect with emergency rental assistance programs that may pay your arrears and keep you housed. Acting fast matters, because Virginia's eviction timeline moves quickly after filing.

How does RRHA calculate my rent share as a voucher holder?

Your share is 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Adjusted income deducts certain allowances (childcare, medical expenses over 3% of gross income for elderly or disabled households, disability allowances) from your gross annual income, then divides by 12. If you choose a unit with rent above RRHA's Payment Standard, you also pay the full difference between the actual rent and the Payment Standard on top of your income-based share.

Sources

1. Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA), Housing Choice Voucher Program: RRHA administers approximately 4,000 Housing Choice Vouchers in the Richmond area and its waitlist status
2. Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Rent Relief Programs: Virginia DHCD administers RENT and HOME-ARP rental assistance targeting households at or below 80% AMI, with recent rounds focused on 30% AMI
3. HUD, FY2024 Income Limits Documentation System, Richmond-Petersburg VA HUD Metro FMR Area: 2024 income limits for the Richmond metro: 30% AMI for a family of four is $31,600; 50% AMI is $52,650; 80% AMI is $84,150
4. Code of Federal Regulations, 24 CFR Part 982, Section 8 Tenant-Based Assistance: 24 CFR § 982.201 requires 75% of new vouchers go to extremely low-income households; § 982.353 governs portability after 12-month initial lease; § 982.401 sets Housing Quality Standards; § 5.516 governs mixed-status family prorations
5. HUD, FY2025 Fair Market Rents, Richmond-Petersburg VA HUD Metro FMR Area: FY2025 FMRs for Richmond metro range from $1,198 (efficiency) to $2,507 (4-bedroom); Richmond metro is designated as a Small Area FMR area
6. Legal Aid Justice Center, Housing Justice Program: LAJC provides free legal representation to low-income tenants in Richmond eviction proceedings
7. Virginia Code § 36-96.3, Virginia Fair Housing Law, Source of Income Protections: Effective January 1, 2021, Virginia landlords with four or more units may not refuse to rent to a person based on their source of income, including housing vouchers
8. HUD, Picture of Subsidized Households 2021: National data shows median Housing Choice Voucher wait time of approximately 26 months across all PHAs, with large urban PHAs typically running longer
9. HUD, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), Filing a Complaint: Tenants can file a fair housing complaint with HUD FHEO within 180 days of a discriminatory act by a landlord
10. Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Fair Housing Office: Virginia Fair Housing Office at DPOR accepts complaints about source-of-income discrimination within one year of the discriminatory act
11. Virginia Housing, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program: Virginia Housing administers the LIHTC program; Richmond has numerous LIHTC properties with rents capped at 30% of 50% or 60% AMI