Housing Operations and Program Support (HOPS) Grant Program

Grant Program Overview

The Housing Operations and Program Support (HOPS) Grant Program is a critical component of the City of Charlottesville's Affordable Housing strategy. The program focuses on supporting the operational needs of nonprofit organizations that provide essential housing-related services. HOPS funding aims to ensure housing stability and to prevent homelessness by assisting organizations that serve vulnerable populations, including low-income residents, individuals at risk of eviction, and those experiencing homelessness. Unlike the Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund (CAHF), which targets development and preservation, HOPS focuses on service-oriented programs such as rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and eviction prevention

Who Can Apply for this City Funded and Administered Grant?

We welcome applications from eligible organizations, including nonprofits, for-profit developers, and public housing agencies. Programs aligning with the Continuum of Care (CoC) strategies, such as those aimed at preventing homelessness, eviction prevention, housing stabilization, and rapid rehousing, are strongly encouraged to apply. To be considered, applicants must have a substantial presence in Charlottesville, adhere to affordability criteria and city boundaries, and commit to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in their initiatives.

• Operational Requirements: Organizations must have been operational for at least two years as of July 1, 2024.
• Geographic Requirements: Programs must serve populations within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Charlottesville.
• Income Threshold: Applicants must engage in activities that support households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or less.
• State Compliance: Must be registered with the State Corporation Commission and the Virginia Department of Agriculture, Division of Consumer Affairs, Charitable Solicitation Section.
• Regulatory Compliance: Applicants must not be in violation of any federal, state, or local regulations.

Grant Program Goals

The primary goals of the HOPS Grant are to:

• Enhance Housing Stability: Provide financial support to housing-related services such as homelessness prevention, tenant assistance, and eviction prevention to stabilize housing for low- and moderate-income households in Charlottesville.
• Support Vulnerable Populations: Target critical services to underserved and vulnerable groups, including those at risk of homelessness and populations earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), aligning with the City’s strategic housing goals.
• Promote Continuum of Care (CoC) Alignment: Prioritize programs that are consistent with CoC strategies to prevent and reduce homelessness through supportive services like rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and outreach programs.
• Strengthen Program Capacity and Operations: Enable service providers and housing operators to improve their capacity to deliver essential services by supporting operational and programmatic costs related to housing services.

Charlottesville Policy and Plan Alignment

The CAHF is closely aligned with several key City policies and strategic plans, including:

• Charlottesville’s Affordable Housing Plan: The CAHF plays a crucial role in achieving the goals set forth in the City’s Affordable Housing Plan, which aims to increase the availability of subsidized housing and enhance housing mobility for all residents.
• Comprehensive Plan: By supporting housing initiatives that contribute to long-term affordability, the CAHF helps the City meet its broader land use and development goals as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan.
• 2023 Strategic Framework: The City’s Strategic Framework has replaced the former Strategic Plan details previously included in the prior program packet before FY2023-2024, and identifies key strategic outcome areas (SOA), and HOPS applications must align with these specific strategic areas. Access the Strategic Framework HERE  as Several SOAs directly apply: 

1. Housing: Increasing access to affordable, high-quality housing. 
2. Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Promoting fair, equality, and equity in housing access, whether in rental or ownership, particularly for underserved communities.
3. Climate Action: Community sustainability and resilience, e.g., supporting sustainable housing initiatives and long-term community resilience, access Climate Action Plan HERE.  
4. Public Health and Safety: Enhancing public health and safety through stable, affordable, and equality housing development and preservation initiatives, and housing equity and anti-displacement strategies.

• Consolidated Plan and the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER): The Consolidated Plan is the City’s application to HUD for federal programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME). These programs provide resources for affordable housing and community development. Access the Consolidated Plan HERE .

Funding Focus and Target Charlottesville Target's Public Grant Funds Based on AMI (Area Median Income)

The CAHF prioritizes projects that serve the most vulnerable populations, with funds distributed based on the following income tiers:

• 50% of funding allocated to households earning up to 30% of AMI.
• 30% of funding directed to households earning up to 60% of AMI.
• 20% of funding reserved for households earning up to 80% of AMI.

These funding allocations ensure that public resources are directed where they are most needed, in alignment with the City’s commitment to affordability and long-term housing solutions. 

Contact Information

If you need further assistance, please contact the Housing Division at (434) 970-3618 or via email at metzlerm@charlottesville.gov.