Tenant Based Voucher holders live in privately owned homes of their choice with subsidized rent.
This program gives low-income families the flexibility to select and rent decent and affordable homes in the private market. TBV holders are responsible for finding an landlord that accepts housing choice vouchers.
Applying for a voucher
Residents who have been in the PBV program for at least one year in good standing may be eligible for a TBV voucher—which broadens their housing options.
No applicant is entitled to be on a waiting list or in a specific position on a waiting list.
Moving with your voucher
To move within the Richmond metropolitan area, participants must first:
- Have lived in their current unit for at least a year and be eligible to move under their current lease agreement
- Have a current and completed annual recertification
- Meet Family Obligations
Step 1 – Participant obtains landlord approval to move
The landlord must complete the Landlord Certification to Move form.
Once completed, this form must be submitted to the Assisted Housing Specialist (view employee directory).
Step 2 – RRHA issues voucher
The participant must review the HCV briefing video. At the conclusion of the presentation, the family must sign the Acknowledgement Letter and email it to HCVPleasing@rrha.com.
RRHA will mail the Leasing (RFTA) Packet to the family’s last known address, which includes:
- Contract Document Checklist
- Requirements for Participating HCV Landlords
- Request for Tenancy Approval
- Disclosure of Information on Lead-based Paint and/or Lead-based Paint Hazards
- Disclosure of Information on Interior Air Quality and Mold
- Smoke Detector Requirements
- Relative Rule Form
- Landlord/Owner Tax Information
- W-9
- Mandatory Authorization of ACH/Direct Deposit Terms and Conditions
- Mandatory Authorization of ACH/Direct Deposit
- Side Payments
- Tenancy Addendum
- Map Of Jurisdiction
- Rent Affordability Calculation
- Payment Standards
- Utility Allowance Sheets for each dwelling type
The family has 120 days from the voucher issuance date located on the voucher to search for and secure a unit.
Step 3 – Participant locates housing on the private market
The family can utilize the paperwork within the RFTA and under the leasing department to select a unit that meets all requirements.
Additional Resources:
- For help locating an apartment, visit gosection8.com and virginiahousingsearch.com.
- For information about finding the right apartment for you, read A Good Place to Live.
- For additional services to expand your housing opportunities, visit H.O.M.E (Housing Opportunities Made Equal).
Step 4 – Participant selects a unit
Once you select a unit, the RFTA and all applicable documents must be completed by the landlord, and submitted to HCVP in one of the following methods:
- Email – HCVPleasing@rrha.com
- Mail – 918 Chamberlayne Parkway Richmond, VA 23220
- Drop-box at the administrative offices located at 918 Chamberlayne Parkway Richmond, VA 23220
Upon receipt of the RFTA, staff will complete an ownership verification and send an email confirmation once the RFTA has been received.
Step 5 – RRHA assesses affordability
RRHA will assess your selected unit to determine its affordability
The Rent Reasonableness Analysis ensures that the rent to the owner is reasonable in the current market, based on rents for like unassisted units in the immediate vicinity.
The analysis is based on nine (9) HUD factors which include the location, utilities, quality, size, unit type, age, amenities, housing services, and maintenance.
If the requested rent is not affordable, and owner is not willing to decrease to an affordable rent amount, participant will require a new RFTA to search for another unit.
Step 6 – RRHA inspects unit
If the rent amount is affordable, the unit will be scheduled for an inspection per HUD’s Uniform Physical Condition Standards – Voucher (UPCS-V).
An RRHA Inspector will contact the property owner to inspect the proposed unit to ensure the unit is safe, decent, and sanitary.
If the unit fails the initial inspection, the Inspector will schedule a re-inspection of the unit.
Step 7 – Participant leases unit
If the unit passes inspection, the participant will reach out to the landlord to execute a lease and establish a move-in date.
The family and/or landlord must forward a copy of the executed lease to hcvpleasing@rrha.com to generate a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract.
Step 8 – RRHA executes HAP contract
RRHA will enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract with the owner who leased the unit to the family.
RRHA will email the HAP Contract to the owner for signature.
Once the signed HAP contract has been received HCVP will execute and attach a signed copy to the Landlord Portal.
Step 9 – RRHA makes payments & participant pays rent
Thereafter, RRHA will begin making agreed-upon payments directly to the property owner on behalf of the family. The Housing Assistance Payments are released at the beginning of the following month.
The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
It is illegal for a landlord to ask the participant for “side payments”.
Moving outside of RRHA’s jurisdiction? Learn about portability
Contact
Phone: 804-780-4200 RRHA Call Center
Email: hcvp@rrha.com
HCV Office:
600 E Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219
Hours of Operation
Monday–Thursday: 8:30 am–5 pm
Friday: 8:30 am–12:30 pm