Rent Assistance and Eviction Prevention Programs Launch May 15

Loudoun County residents who are struggling to pay their rent or facing eviction may be eligible for assistance through two new programs launching May 15, 2024. The programs are funded by the Loudoun County government and administered by the nonprofit Loudoun Cares in association with Northern Virginia Family Service, Crossroads Jobs, and Legal Services of Northern Virginia.

Who is Eligible to Apply for Assistance?

Individuals and families must meet specific criteria to be considered eligible for the two programs. All applicants must:

• Live in Loudoun County;
• Have a current lease for which rent is more than 30% of household income;
• Have a total household income of no greater than 80% of the Area Median Income; and
• Be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. (This includes historically marginalized populations, adults who have complex needs, households who have lost wages during the pandemic, or those who have experienced challenges in accessing services.)

In addition, the applicant's landlord must agree to participate in the program and provide documentation, including a current ledger, signed lease and an IRS W-9 form. Individuals seeking eviction prevention assistance must have an eviction summons for unlawful detainer.

While homeowners are not eligible for financial assistance with mortgage payments, they may be eligible for other programs offered by Loudoun Cares. Individuals who are delinquent on paying their mortgages may seek assistance from housing counselors that are approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). More information is posted on the HUD website here.

How to Apply for Assistance

All applicants will be required to submit a short, online pre-screening form to Loudoun Cares to determine eligibility for the programs. The online form will be available at loudouncares.org/help, beginning May 15 at 12:00 p.m. Any applicant who does not have access to the internet may call Loudoun Cares at 703-669-4636 for assistance in submitting an application.

Approved applicants may be required to work with staff at either Crossroads Jobs or Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) to determine the household's ability to afford future rent payments without financial assistance. If the household is not able to do so, Crossroads Jobs and NVFS will assist families with job readiness to improve employment opportunities or assist families with finding and relocating to a more affordable home.

Program Funding

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved limited funding for the temporary rent assistance and eviction prevention programs as part of the county's efforts to distribute available funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to address lingering economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of households that will receive rent assistance will vary based on several factors. Loudoun Cares will sign up and recommend financial assistance for as many households as possible. Loudoun Cares will make rent payments directly to landlords on behalf of approved applicants. The program will end by December 31, 2026, or sooner if funds are exhausted.

More Information

For more information about other rent assistance programs offered by Loudoun County, visit loudoun.gov/rentassistance. For information about all Loudoun County housing programs and services, visit loudoun.gov/housing.

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