Rent relief for both Charlottesville and Albemarle County is now available through one hotline

Charlottesville and Albemarle County want you to call their joint hotline if you are having trouble paying your rent, mortgage or utility bills.

City and county residents who are eligible can get up to $1,000 in a month, or $3,000 total in a year. But they have to call the Community Resource Hotline number at 833-524-2904, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Misty Graves, director of Charlottesville’s Department of Human Services, says those who are hearing impaired can use video services such as the free public service Virginia Relay, or another service such as Sorenson Relay or Purple, to make the call.

You might be eligible for assistance if you have low income, a loss of income, or if you get food assistance (SNAP) or supplemental security income (SSI). You may need to provide pay stubs, bank statements, or enrollment letters for any federal assistance you receive. You will also be asked for landlord ledgers and utility bills for the amounts you owe. The money is paid directly to lenders, landlords or utility companies.

There is no deadline to apply, but the funding is limited so it’s first-come-first-serve. Graves said that as of Nov. 22, the combined remaining funds for the city and county totals more than $450,000.00. Federal funding related to the COVID-19 pandemic increased the amount of money available for the program, which has distributed almost $1 million since July of this year. 

“​​As a City, we are currently strategizing on how to sustain the fund into our fiscal year [FY 24] and it is part of the conversation during this budget process,” Graves told Charlottesville Tomorrow by email. But, she said, the rent relief is meant to help in the short term. For more resources and longer term help, she encourages residents to read through the “Street Sheet.”

Si necesitas ayuda con tu renta o hipoteca, llama al condado de Albemarle y la ciudad de Charlottesville a la línea de Recursos de Comunidad al 833-524-2904 de 9 a.m a 5 p.m. De lunes a viernes. 

Los residentes que son elegibles pueden recibir hasta $1,000 en un mes, o $3,000 por todo el año, pero primero, necesitas llamarnos para empezar el proceso. Hay Ayuda disponible en español.

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