Virginia Beach will suspend pre-applications at noon Tuesday for a program created to prevent evictions for low- and moderate-income renters experiencing financial hardship because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Plans for the program were unveiled last week after the Virginia Beach City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to appropriate $2 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27.
The city said Monday in a news release it was suspending pre-applications because of the “large volume” it had already received for the program.
The eviction prevention program, which provides one-time, short-term rental assistance, is available to those living in Virginia Beach with incomes of up to 80% of median income, which is approximately $46,200 for a single household and $66,000 for a family of four. Priority will be given to those who earn 0 to 50% of the area median income.
Applicants must be unable to pay rent because of the effects of COVID-19, which may include a job loss or reduction of hours. The program does not include mortgage assistance.
Caseworkers are reviewing all pre-applications that are received by noon Tuesday and will contact applicants by phone for additional screening. The city said it will announce on its website if it is able to reopen the pre-applications.
Details about a program to provide mortgage assistance to prevent foreclosures are expected in June, according to Andy Friedman, director of the city’s Housing and Neighborhood Preservation Department.
The city said last week it will also use $606,131 of the $2 million from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for hotel sheltering options, homeless prevention and rapid re-housing in Virginia Beach starting in May. And $282,244 will provide shelter in a hotel, short-term rental assistance or eviction prevention for low-income individuals who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
Staff writer Alissa Skelton contributed to this report.
Jessica Nolte, 757-247-4513, jnolte@dailypress.com
