More and more Charlottesville and Albemarle residents are facing difficulties as the cost of housing continues to rise. Maybe you need help paying your rent or your property taxes. Or you’ve received an eviction notice and need free legal advice. Or you have a leaky roof you can’t afford to repair.
Local organizations have programs that try to help you with these issues and more. But we know that finding the right one for your needs and finances, and then understanding how to apply, isn’t always easy.
That’s why we created the Housing Resources Guide, which compiles dozens of housing-related resources for Charlottesville and Albemarle County residents. It’s specifically for low- and middle-income households, and includes information for renters, homeowners and aspiring homeowners.
We hope that organizing these programs for you into a searchable “one-stop-shop” will save you valuable time and effort.
For people without a place to live, we’ve included programs that can help you find shelter or housing. We also recommend that you look at the Street Sheet for a list of resources that address more of the issues that unhoused people and families face.
One important note as you use this guide: For all of the programs included in this guide, eligibility does not guarantee access because demand often exceeds available funds and capacity. This means that you might apply for a resource, but find that they do not have the ability to help you right now. But we want to give more people a way to try.
Neighborhoods reporter Erin O’Hare led the project, with research and writing from community member and Charlottesville Housing Advisory Committee member Mike Parisi. The Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors Foundation, led by founding executive director Dave Norris, helped give Mike resources to work on the project through its fellowship program. The guide was produced in line with Charlottesville Tomorrow’s editorial independence policy. Ashley Harper created and designed the online tool and print brochure.
Now you can print the Charlottesville Albemarle Housing Resources Guide — in four languages
Here’s how you can print your own or request that we deliver them to you.
There are some 100 programs to help people with their housing in Charlottesville and Albemarle County — so we made a guide
It’s our way of answering a simple question: “Where can I get help?”
You can filter the resources based on what you need
Organization: Piedmont Community Land Trust (PCLT)
The Piedmont Community Land Trust (PCLT) creates permanently affordable homeownership opportunities by purchasing the land a home sits on and selling the home itself to low-income households. Removing the cost of the land for homeowners can reduce their monthly payments significantly and ensures the homes don’t have huge spikes in prices in the future. PCLT […]
Organization: Community Housing Partners (CHP)
Community Housing Partners manages two affordable housing communities in Charlottesville, the Greenstone on 5th Apartments at 746 Prospect Avenue, and Ephphatha Village Apartments at 1014 Ridge Street (for seniors and people with disabilities).
Organization: Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA)
Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA) owns and manages several affordable multifamily, senior, and accessible communities in the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and Nelson County. Waiting lists are maintained for all properties.
Organization: Community Services Housing (CSH)
Community Services Housing (CSH) is a Charlottesville-based nonprofit providing affordable supportive housing. CSH owns and operates 125 rental units across the city for residents who are living with disabling conditions and face multiple barriers to typical independent living. Rapid Rehousing funds, Permanent Supportive Housing vouchers, Housing Choice Vouchers, HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers, and […]
Organization: Albemarle County Department of Social Services
Albemarle County’s Emergency Relief Program, or ACERP, provides financial help to Albemarle residents in crisis. One-time assistance may be available for rent and/or utility bills if you meet one of the eligibility requirements below.
Organization: Charlottesville Department of Utilities
This City of Charlottesville program offers a rebate of up to $500 if you have a licensed contractor add insulation with an R-value of R-38 or more to your home’s attic.
Organization: Virginia Housing
If you are a Virginia Housing customer and think you may have a serious problem paying your mortgage because of a financial emergency, applying to the Borrower’s Assistance Program is the first step to see if you qualify for Virginia Housing’s Home Retention or Loss Mitigation options. You may be able to get your loan […]
Organization: Blue Ridge Apartment Council (BRAC)
BRAC.com (short for Blue Ridge Apartment Council) is a free property listing service where Charlottesville-area residents can search for rental homes and apartment units, including specifically for affordable housing. The site is maintained by the Virginia Apartment Management Association.
Organization: Charlottesville Department of Utilities
This City of Charlottesville program may provide financial assistance to pay gas bills for low-income residents who, although in financial need, do not qualify for State Fuel Assistance or whose State Fuel Assistance amount has been exhausted.
Organization: Charlottesville Department of Utilities
This program, a partnership between the City of Charlottesville and the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), provides no-cost home energy efficiency upgrades for homeowners and renters. Improvements may include air sealing, attic insulation, hot water pipe insulation, programmable thermostats, and water-saving upgrades.
Organization: Charlottesville Commissioner of Revenue
This City of Charlottesville program may provide real estate tax relief to qualified low-income homeowners in order to preserve homeownership. Grants of $1,000, $1,500, $2,000, or $2500 are available, depending on income.
Organization: Charlottesville Office of Human Rights
Located on the Downtown Mall, the City of Charlottesville Office of Human Rights receives complaints of discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodation, credit, and private education. The Office provides alternative dispute resolution and investigation services for complaints of unlawful discrimination that occur within the city.
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