How can we help?
Homelessness
HUD supports many organizations that provide housing assistance and/or supportive services to people. HUD is not a direct service provider. For direct assistance, please dial 2-1-1 and contact a homeless service provider in your area.
- Dial 2-1-1 Press 9
- Contact a homeless service provider
- Search justshelter.org to find community organizations working to preserve affordable housing, prevent eviction and reduce family homelessness
- Veterans:
Contact the VA medical center near you and mention your interest in Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) or find instructions for contacting the National Homeless Veteran Call Center here. You may also call the Veterans Affairs Emergency Housing Hotline for assistance at (877) 424-3838 - Persons Experiencing Violence:
Virginia Injury and Violence Prevention
The National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233
Affordable Places to Live
HUD supports many organizations that provide housing assistance and/or supportive services to people. HUD is not a direct service provider. For direct assistance, please refer to the following resources:
- Speak to a HUD Approved Housing Counselor for advice on your specific housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287.
- Contact your Local Public Housing Authority in Virginia to inquire about information about public housing programs (Housing Choice Vouchers HUD Facts, Public Housing). Call (804) 822- 4994 for help to find your local Public Housing Authority.
- Use the HUD Resource Locator to find affordable housing opportunities near you.
**Please note, the HUD Resource Locator does not show property vacancy. Please call the management company to inquire about vacancies, wait lists or the application process.- HUD does not have applications for these properties.
- HUD does not have information about the vacancies in these properties.
- HUD does not maintain waiting lists.
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties
A tax credit property is owned by a developer or landlord who participates in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program run by Virginia Housing. These owners can claim tax credits for renting some or all units to low- or moderate- income tenants at restricted rent. LIHTC rents are not based on tenant’s income but instead set by the use restriction tied to the unit. Note: LIHTC owners accept Section 8 voucher tenants.
To be eligible for an affordable unit in a LIHTC property, you must make no more than the income limit for that unit. LIHTC rents are not based on your income, but instead is set by the use restrictions tied to the unit.
To get further information on LIHTC properties, contact Virginia Housing for more information, dial (877) 843-2123. - USDA Rural Development Multifamily Housing
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Multifamily Housing programs helps property owners through loans and grants to rehabilitate properties for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals and families as well as domestic farm laborers. USDA RD Multifamily Rental Assistance Program provides payments to owners of USDA-financed projects on behalf of low-income tenants unable to pay their full rent.
To search for RD Multifamily Housing rentals in Eastern Virginia, visit: Rural Development Multi-Family Housing Rentals
To search for RD Multifamily Housing rentals in Western Virginia, visit: Rural Development Multi-Family Housing Rentals
To search for RD Multifamily Housing rentals in Northern Virginia, visit: Rural Development Multi-Family Housing Rentals - Affordable Housing by Virginia Housing Search
- Local Listings
You are also advised to check your local city and/or county’s website for additional affordable housing opportunities. - Resource Article for Virginia Tenant Toolkit
HUD has rental assistance and housing resources through the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs.
- Public Housing provides decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities. HUD provides federal aid to local Public Housing Authorities (PHA) that manage public housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford.
- Eligibility: Public Housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. A Public Housing Authority determines eligibility based on 1) annual gross income, 2) whether you qualify as elderly, a person with disabilities or as a family, and 3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.
- To apply, contact your local Public Housing Authority.
Housing Choice Voucher (commonly known as Section 8)
- The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program assists low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Housing assistance is provided through HUD on behalf of the family or individual, so participants can find their own housing. You can use an HCV to pay for all or part of the rent.
- Eligibility: A Public Housing Authority will determine eligibility for the housing choice voucher program based on the total annual gross income and family size, U.S. citizenship and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status.
- To apply, contact your local Public Housing Authority. During the application process, a Public Housing Authority will collect information on family income, assets and family composition. The Public Housing Authority will use this information to determine program eligibility and the amount of the housing assistance payment.
Homeownership
- Learn more about homebuying from HUD's website or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor about becoming a homeowner. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer advice customized to your housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287.
- Virginia Housing Homebuyer Education
- DHCD Homebuyer Resources
- Find the answer online
- Email us
- Call toll-free (800) CALL-FHA (800-225-5342)
TTY: Dial 7-1-1 (Not available in all areas)
- Use the HUD Home Store to find HUD homes for sale
- Find Information on my FHA loan
- Use the SMART Integrated Portal to make a request and begin the subordination process (see SMART FAQs & Resources)
- Contact a Secretary-Held Mortgage Servicing Contractor
- There are various federal loan programs and community-based programs to help with home repairs and improvements. Learn more about HUD’s Home Improvements programs.
- Community contacts - find out if your community offers home repair assistance
- Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development - home improvement and energy conservation loans, call (804) 371-7000
- Virginia Housing - Virginia Housing Accessibility Grants
- Find your local Better Business Bureau - check out Virginia contractors before starting home repairs
- USDA Rural Development local office - housing repair and rehabilitation loans, call (804) 287-1600
- If you have more questions, contact the FHA Resource Center
Email: answers@hud.gov
Call: (800) 225-5342
- Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor about becoming a homeowner. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer advice customized to your housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287.
- Explore Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)
- Contact a Local Legal Assistance Organization
Report Housing Discrimination
* The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, or disability.
- Please visit the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Page
- File a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) Office:
- Online
- Call: (800) 347-3739
Rent Relief & Eviction Resources
HUD supports many organizations that provide housing assistance and/or supportive services to people.
HUD is not a direct service provider. For direct assistance, please refer to the following resources:
- Seek Legal Assistance or Find Commonly Asked Questions on Eviction in Virginia
- Review HUD's Step-by-Step guide for people at risk of eviction
- Preventing Eviction in Virginia
- Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor about becoming a homeowner. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer advice customized to your housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you
- Get Help Paying Rent and Bills
- Rent Relief Resources
- Contact your local government office, find your local Community Service Providers in your area.
- Contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or call (804) 726-73862 or email Denise.t.surber@dss.virginia.gov
- Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development - weatherization assistance program, email WAP@dhcd.virginia.gov
Speak to a Housing Counselor
- Becoming a homeowner
- Foreclosure assistance
- Reverse mortgages
- Home improvements/repairs to my home
- Renting
- Homeless Services
Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer advice customized to your housing needs.
- Search online for a HUD Approved housing counselor near you or call (800) 569-4287, or try the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Tool
Housing Quality & Improved Living Conditions
- Resident Information
- REAC Real Estate Assessment Center
- There are various federal loan programs and community-based programs to help with home repairs and improvements. Learn more about HUD’s Home Improvements programs
- USDA Rural Development local office - or call (804) 287-1600 - housing repair and rehabilitation loans
- If you have more questions, contact the FHA Resource Center
- Email: answers@hud.gov
- Call: (800) 225-5342
Disaster Resources
- Immediately after a disaster, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and other government agencies offer initial assistance. HUD then provides additional support for ongoing recovery through programs and partnerships.
- Register with FEMA online at: www.disasterassistance.gov
- Register through FEMA's disaster app on your smartphone. If you haven’t downloaded the app yet, you can go to www.fema.gov/mobile-app
- Call (800) 621-3362. Phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are on duty.
- Reach out to your local Red Cross
- HUD Disaster Resources
- HUD Disaster Line: Call 1-800-304-9320 or email recovery@hud.gov
- Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor. A HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency can offer advice customized to your housing needs. Search online for a HUD Approved Housing Counselor near you by entering your zip code or call (800) 569-4287.
My Local Office Information
For assistance at all times, we encourage you to utilize the self-help resources above.
If you are unable to have your questions answered from the resources above, please click on the Need More Help button below to contact your local office for further assistance.
Richmond Field Office
400 N 8th Street, Suite 300
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (800) 842-2610
TTY: (800) 877-8339
Fax: (202) 485-9187
Carrie S Schmidt, Field Office Director
Jurisdiction: State of Virginia (except as noted under Washington, DC)
District of Columbia Field Office
820 First Street, NE, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20002-4205
Phone: (202) 275-9200
TTY: (202) 275-6388
Fax: (804) 822-4984
Lisa Johnson, Field Office Director
Jurisdiction: Washington D.C.; Montgomery County, MD; Prince George's County, MD; Arlington County, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Loudoun County, VA; Prince William County, VA; Independent Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park
⚠ In Distress? Reach Out for Help Now
At HUD, we know housing challenges often come with other struggles. You’re not alone. These resources can help with safe housing, emergencies, or connecting with someone who will listen.
If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. If you are feeling overwhelmed, facing mental health struggles, or emotional distress, free support is available any time:
- Call: 988
- Text: 988
- Chat: 988lifeline.org
Trained counselors are here to listen and help, 24/7.
Support for Domestic Violence Survivors. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential help is available 24/7:
- Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Text: "Start" to 88788
- Visit: The National Domestic Violence Hotline
Mental Health & Substance Use Support. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline offers free and confidential support for mental health, drug or alcohol use, and recovery:
- Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- TTY: 1-800-487-4889
- Text: Your ZIP code to 435748
- Visit: SAMHSA's National Helpline
Rental, Homelessness, and Eviction Help. Need help with housing challenges, like eviction, renting, foreclosure, or credit issues?
- Find a Housing Counselor: HUD's Housing Counseling Resources
- Call: 800-569-4287 (or 202-708-1455 for TTY) for multilingual assistance or disaster relief assistance.
- Visit: www.findhelp.org