FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2021
The City received 1,203 applications from tenants and 236 from landlords on behalf of existing tenants. A total of 353 households received funding, with an average assistance amount of $3,701.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - From July 2020 to January 2021, the City’s Office of Economic Development, Downtown Job Center, and Home to Hope, disbursed more than $1,000,000 in rental assistance through the City of Charlottesville Housing RELIEF Fund (HRF). Funding was provided by the Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund (CAHF) and was intended to assist tenants and landlords who were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Charlottesville Housing RELIEF Fund began accepting applications on July 13, 2020, with three categories of funding recipients prioritized: homeless, reentry, and landlord. Initially, a total of $792,000 was allocated evenly among these categories, with an additional $264,000 redistributed based on overall community need for additional rental assistance. At its conclusion in January 2021, the HRF program had disbursed a total of $1,056,000 to those in danger of displacement or homelessness.
All told, the City received 1,203 applications from tenants and 236 from landlords on behalf of existing tenants. A total of 353 households received funding, with an average assistance amount of $3,701. Once assessed and enrolled, those approved were eligible to receive up to six months of rental assistance, including security deposit and first month’s rent as required by most landlords in the area. While applicants had to demonstrate ties to the City, enrollees could pursue housing options in Charlottesville or Albemarle County.
Those enrolled in the homeless and reentry programs were also provided additional services designed to address long-term stability and self-sufficiency. These included engaging with the Downtown Job Center for job search and/or job placement assistance, participating in financial literacy classes, and enrolling in the Home to Hope peer recovery support program. As part of the HRF, seven financial literacy trainings, twelve job clubs, and fifty-six peer support groups were held, with a total attendance of 1,095.
Now that funds have been expended, staff continues to work in concert with alternative outlets for assistance, such as the Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP) administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and The Haven’s Rapid Rehousing Program. For more information about various rent relief programs and services offered by the Office of Economic Development, Downtown Job Center, or Home to Hope, please contact the City’s Downtown Job Center at jobcenter@charlottesville.gov or call 434-970-3933.
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Media Contact
Hollie Lee
Chief of Workforce Development Strategies
City of Charlottesville, Office of Economic Development
434-970-3117
leeh@charlottesville.gov