Last Updated: December 2, 2021
Published: April 28, 2021
Help Us to Help You
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many RRHA families have not consistently paid their rent. RRHA provides housing to nearly 4,000 public housing families. Of those, more than 1,000 households were behind on rent in 2021.
If you are behind on your rent, you’re not alone. RRHA can help you get back on track. Call or visit your management office today.
Why It’s Crucial to Catch up on Your Rent
Paying rent means staying housed, establishing a good rental history and credit score, and creating a secure future for you and your family.
Lease enforcement begins again in January 2022.
We understand that the pandemic has had a debilitating impact on many in our communities. RRHA has not performed any lease enforcement for nonpayment since November 2019.
Looking ahead, our goal is to ensure that our families are in the best possible position when the lease enforcement freeze on unpaid rent ends on December 31, 2021. It’s up to you to use this time so that you are not subject to lease enforcement action and, most importantly, can stay housed.
We want to avoid taking any legal action. However, for RRHA to continue to provide safe and decent housing for our families, we must have the funds to do so. Paying your rent is a responsibility and obligation that makes our partnership work.
“This is serious…Don’t think that because the eviction moratorium has been extended that it will be extended again…”
KISS FM’s Miss Community Clovia
Nonpayment can disqualify you from a Section 8 voucher.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program allows low-income families to live in specific properties or privately-owned homes with subsidized rent.
To qualify for a voucher, federal HUD regulations require you to be current on your rent. If you are selected off an HCVP waitlist but owe rent, you will not be able to claim the voucher.
We want to make sure that as many of our families as possible are eligible for this high-demand program.
Being behind on rent can negatively impact your rental history.
If you move and have not paid all the rent that you owe, you will not be eligible for public housing in another jurisdiction. All public housing authorities must enforce this federal regulation and deny any applicant who owes rent to another housing authority.
Nonpayment can also impact your ability to rent outside of public housing. If a potential landlord calls, RRHA can’t give a positive reference for a former tenant who owes money.
Nonpayment can lower your credit score.
If nonpayment results in legal action (“unlawful detainer”), a judgment against you will appear on credit reports.
A low credit score can hurt your chances of being able to rent property in the future or increase the amount of rent you are charged. Long-term, coming current on your rent may improve your credit score and, ultimately, save you money.
Learn more about why credit scores are important to your financial health from the Federal Trade Commission.
Paying your rent sets the right example.
Your family looks to you to do the right thing. Honoring your rental agreement sets the right example for them. We know you can catch up and are here to help you do it.
How to Get Back on Track
If you are behind on your rent, we can help you take steps to bring your balance current.
Schedule a financial counseling meeting with your management office.
RRHA public housing families who are behind in their rent are encouraged to reach out to their management office to schedule a meeting to assess their account and put a plan in place to come current.
Find your property management contact:
| Location | Manager Name | Desk # | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creighton Court | Barbara Tisdale | 804-780-3404 | Barbara.Tisdale@rrha.com |
| Fairfield Court | Christine Segers | 804-780-3410 | Christine.Segers@rrha.com |
| Gilpin Court | Nichole Adams | 804-780-3425 | Nichole.Adams@rrha.com |
| Hillside Court | Joy Robinson, Interim Manager (thru 1/13) | 804-780-3430 | Joy.Robinson@rrha.com |
| Mosby Court | Barbara Campbell | 804-780-3444 | Barbara.Campbell@rrha.com |
| Whitcomb Court | Pamela Kearney | 804-782-3484 | Pamela.Kearney@rrha.com |
| Fay Towers | Kathy White | 804-780-4791 | Kathy.White@rrha.com |
| Stonewall | Rita Small | 804-780-8810 | Rita.Small@rrha.com |
Take advantage of free resources.
At the meeting, property managers will offer resources that range from financial assistance options, budgeting, employment assistance, and free or nearly-free childcare. These resources include:
- Financial assistance from the Virginia Rent Relief Program (RRP) | Check your eligibility at dmz1.dhcd.virginia.gov/RMRPEligibility
- Budgeting assistance from City of Richmond Financial Navigator Program, Humankind Richmond, United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, and Southside Community Development Center Financial Opportunity Center
- Employment assistance from Office of Community Wealth Building, Caliper Staffing, Humankind Richmond, and Virginia Career Works
- Childcare resources from Peter Paul Development Center and YMCA of Greater Richmond
Property Managers may offer other solutions specific to your situation. Schedule your financial counseling meeting as soon as possible to get back on track!