Housing Information for Tenants & Landlords

This page is for informational purposes and is not legal advice. If you need legal advice, please see below for resources and contact information.

Eviction Crisis

Evictions were an issue before the pandemic but like with many other issues, the housing crisis has been exacerbated by the pandemic and we are really at a crucial point. Housing security is part of financial security for a family, physical safety and health, mental health, and so much more. It is important that tenants and landlords have information to help prevent evictions.

Legislative Action: Housing is Top Priority for Me

Some of my colleagues and I have prioritized rent and mortgage relief in the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act funding but that funding is only as helpful to the extent that people know it exists. There was about $655.3 Million available for rent relief but a lot of that money has been given out for those in Virginia impacted by COVID. Landlords and tenants can both apply. It would be a travesty for evictions to happen while that money is available only because people did not know about it being there. So we have to help get the word out!

The General Assembly met for Special Session and we passed our Budget bill addressing the federal relief funding. Governor Northam signed it on August 10, 2021. Read more here.

Some of the 2020-2021 new laws Del. Price sponsored or co-sponsored helped prevent or post-pone evictions:

60-day delay of eviction for most tenants & 30-day delay of foreclosure for homeowners (expired)
14 days pay or quit period (increased from 5 days), payment plans for tenants (expired)
Right of redemption cap lifted for most tenants (did not expire)
Tougher penalties for illegal evictions (did not expire)

These protections were allowed to expire and the majority party in the House voted down bills to extend the provisions. It's important that you know your rights before going to court. Get more information from the Virginia Poverty Law Center (www.vplc.org) and Legal Aid (www.laseva.org)!

In 2022, I sponsored three housing bills:

HB 802: Give localities more power to crack down on slumlords
HB 803: Making 14 day pay or quit period permanent
HB 804: Landlords must disclose more information on their websites about application process

These bills sought to help tenants have affordable, safe, and fair housing and prevent evictions. They did not become law because the majority party in the House voted them down or the Governor vetoed the bill. Here's more on the Governor's veto of House Bill 802:

In the Case of an Eviction

If you are facing an eviction, it is important that you act now.

Call 1-833-NO-EVICT or 1-866-LEGL-AID

You can also visit housing.vplc.org for more information.

Mortgage Relief is Still Available

The 2021 budget included $258 million for Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) to be used for assistance with mortgage payments, homeowner’s insurance, utility payments, and other specified purposes. The federal government has approved Virginia's program - sign up here to receive updates on how to apply! https://www.virginiamortgagerelief.com/

Effective March 17, 2022, the maximum amount of assistance to eligible Virginia homeowners is $40,000 with no cap on the number of months past due. Homeowners experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19 after January 21, 2020, with a delinquency amount of $40,000 or less may now be eligible for assistance. Applicants who were previously deemed ineligible due to the original program cap policy should contact a program representative at 833-OUR-VMRP (833-687-8677), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to begin the appeal process.

Utility Relief

Department of social services crisis assistance: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/ has all the options including COVID-19 related utility assistance, and heating and cooling season assistance, up to $300.
Call the VPLC utility helpline: 804-313-9363

For More Information

Stay Home Virginia - https://www.stayhomevirginia.com/

Virginia Poverty Law Center - https://housing.vplc.org/

Peninsula Housing Crisis Hotline - 757-587-4202

Del. Price's Office Email - DelMPrice@house.virginia.gov

Del. Price's Office Phone (call or text) - 757-266-5935

Watch for More Info

On May 2, 2022, Del. Price spoke with Christie Marra and Laura Dobbs of Virginia Poverty Law Center to present important information for tenants and landlords at a rent relief updates. Watch here: