“Compassion Action” Lease Enforcement Initiative
LAST CHANCE Repayment Agreements
Sign up between Monday, July 1, 2024 and Saturday, August 31, 2024
After this period, RRHA will no longer offer this type of repayment agreement and will move forward with lease enforcement for any unpaid charges. Keep reading for more information.
Income-based Repayment Agreements
Creighton | Fairfield | Gilpin | Hillside | Mosby | 4th Avenue | Decatur | Fox Manor | Lombardy | Old Brook Circle | Stonewall Place
RRHA is offering a “last chance” repayment agreement for public housing residents with an outstanding balance of $51 or more to RRHA and/or are in default of previous repayment agreements that they signed up for.
All RRHA families behind on rent may sign a repayment agreement for every kind of tenant debt, including rent, utilities, late penalties, or other miscellaneous charges. A repayment agreement can give you a sustainable way to pay off your balance—while you stay in your home.
RRHA will never take a resident to court for debts that are addressed by a repayment agreement in good standing.
Make an appointment with your management office as soon as possible!
You will not be seen without an appointment and a photo I.D.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
8:30 AM–5 PM
Saturday July 20, August 3, and August 31
9 AM–12 PM
LAST CHANCE! Offer ends August 31, 2024
DOWN PAYMENT
$10–100
RENT
Up to 30% of income
REPAYMENT AMOUNT
Up to 10% of income
What is the RRHA’s Last Chance Repayment Agreement?
RRHA is offering a “last chance” repayment agreement for any RRHA residents who has an outstanding balance of $51 or more, to RRHA and/or are in default of previous repayment agreements that they signed up for.
Public housing communities: Creighton | Fairfield | Gilpin | Hillside | Mosby | 4th Avenue | Decatur | Fox Manor | Lombardy | Old Brook Circle | Stonewall Place
How does an RRHA resident sign up for the Last Chance Repayment Agreement?
You must schedule an appointment by contacting the management office in your community during business hours:
Weekdays: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 AM–5 PM
Saturdays: July 20, August 3, and August 31 from 9 AM–12 PM
What are the terms/requirements for the Last Chance Repayment Agreement?
- Sign up between July 1 – August 31, 2024
- Down payment required of between $10 – $100
- Make an appointment with management office
- Bring current and valid photo identification to your appointment
Starting September 1, 2024, RRHA will NO LONGER offer this type of repayment agreement.
What is the down payment amount based on?
Down payment based on ten percent (10%) of leaseholder’s adjusted monthly income and will be no less than $10 and no more than $100. The repayment amount must be paid IN ADDITION to your monthly rent amount.
When does the Last Chance Repayment Agreement go into effect?
Leaseholders who sign up for a last chance repayment agreement will begin payments of rent, other charges, PLUS repayment agreement amount on Oct. 1, 2024.
Do I still have to pay my rent until my new repayment amount goes into effect?
YES
After signing up for the Last Chance Repayment Agreement, do I wait until Oct. 1 to pay my rent?
NO. Rent and other charges continue to be due by the 8th of each month. Your rental charges will continue to accrue.
What happens if I do not sign up for this Last Chance Repayment Agreement?
If you owe RRHA back rent or other charges and/or have defaulted on a prior repayment agreement and choose NOT to sign up for a last chance repayment agreement, RRHA will move forward with lease enforcement for all unpaid balances.
What if a leaseholder misses a rental payment and/or Last Chance Repayment amount after signing up?
After missing two consecutive payments, RRHA will move forward with lease enforcement for unpaid charges. In addition, according to the lease, if a leaseholder is late four (4) times or misses four (4) rent payments or repayment agreement amounts within a year, RRHA will move forward with lease enforcement for unpaid charges.
If I am already in a repayment agreement and am making consistent payments, do I need to sign up for this Last Chance Repayment Agreement?
Those currently under a previous repayment agreement have the option to sign up for this last chance repayment agreement if your current monthly repayment agreement amount exceeds $200.
How can I lower my repayment agreement amount?
Other than signing up for this Last Chance Repayment Agreement which ends August 31, 2024, the only way you can lower your monthly repayment agreement amount is by showing credible proof of income loss.
RRHA can only successfully fulfill our mission of transforming the lives of families and communities by providing safe, decent, and sanitary housing. Housing is made affordable because it is based on the income of the lessee. When residents fail in their responsibility to fulfill their lease agreement, RRHA must take action. Regulators at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) require RRHA to enforce the lease agreement due to non-payment.
We strive to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to our Agency by working with those who are willing and able to fulfill their obligations.
Our Resident Service Coordinators and Property Managers work closely with residents to connect them with community resources to get them on a sustainable path to self-sufficiency. We want every resident to feel pride in doing their part to build a secure and well-maintained community with accessible resident services.
Over $3 million in rent is owed
~60% of households are behind on payments
As of April 2024
Rent Payments
Paying rent on time keeps a household in “good standing”. This is important for:
- Avoiding eviction from public housing
- Qualifying for a housing choice voucher
- Qualifying for the RRHA homeownership program
- Maintaining a positive credit score and rental history
Rent Responsibility
All RRHA public housing families have signed a Dwelling Lease stating:
- Rent payments are due on or before the 1st of each month.
- Any payment received after 5 PM on the 8th will be considered late. If the 8th falls on a weekend or holiday, then payment received after 5 PM on the next business day will be considered late.
- On the 9th of the month, if payment is not received, a five-dollar late fee will be assessed, and a notice of late rent and/or lease termination will be mailed.
Eviction Prevention Program
RRHA staff works diligently to minimize the number of lease enforcement actions by reaching out to residents who are behind in their rent through, e.g., email, text messages, letters, and even door-knocking. In these cases, we offer repayment agreements, services, and resources to help bring the resident’s account current and ensure they stay housed.
You may be eligible for rent relief to help pay some or all of your balance.
For more information about available rental assistance funds:
- Visit https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues and click on “Find rental assistance in your area”.
- Call 2-1-1 for assistance and additional information about rental assistance funds
- Contact your property management office to request the required documentation you may need to apply for the local rent relief
- Contact RRHA’s Call Center at 804-780-4200 for assistance
Lease Enforcement Process
RRHA is federally mandated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to collect rent. If lease enforcement becomes necessary, the appropriate steps will be initiated.
- Late Rent Notice – RRHA will issue a 30-day lease termination notice to households that owe $50 or more or have defaulted on a repayment agreement. You have the right to examine RRHA documents directly relevant to this termination and to reply as you may wish to this termination notice.
- Summons for Unlawful Detainer – After 30 days, if the account has not been brought into good standing, RRHA issues an Unlawful Detainer. An Unlawful Detainer is a civil lawsuit filed against a tenant for violating the terms of a lease agreement that provides legal notice for the tenant to appear in court.
- Attending Court – Both parties will attend court after the unlawful detainer is filed against the tenant. The court date depends on the court’s schedule and availability, but it is generally 21 days after the Unlawful Detainer is issued.
- Court Judgement of Possession – If the resident appears in court, RRHA will most likely schedule possession 10 days after the court date. Possession entitles RRHA to recover possession of the housing unit from the household residents. The exact timeline for possession depends on the court’s schedule and any further requests from either party, RRHA or the unit’s residents.
- Notice to Vacate – The Sheriff will come to the household and serve the notice to vacate. After being served, the unit’s residents have a set number of days to remove their personal belongings and leave the property.
The leaseholder can pay the amount owed at any point during steps 1-4, and lease enforcement action will cease.
Full payment of all amounts you owe RRHA will cause the eviction to be canceled unless the court judgment included lease violations other than nonpayment of rent. Full payment includes:
- all rent as contracted for in your lease that you owe as of the day you make a payment
- any damages
- money judgment
- award of attorney fees
- court costs made at least 48 hours before the scheduled eviction
Any partial payment of rent made before or after a judgment of possession is ordered will not prevent RRHA from taking legal action to recover possession of your unit. If you make a partial payment after your lease terminates, then RRHA will accept that payment with reservation of rights pursuant to Section 55.1-1250 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. Accepting any partial payment of rent, damages, and other fees, or any future payments of rent does not waive RRHA’s right to take legal action against you for nonpayment.
Resident Rights and Protections
It’s very important to know that all residents have protections under the lease agreement.
If a resident feels that an RRHA action—or failure to act—has adversely affected their rights, duties, welfare, or status, the resident can initiate the Tenant Grievance Procedure.
The Tenant Grievance Procedure can apply to any dispute, including rent disputes, or those involving any of the lease’s rules or regulations. You have the right to request a grievance hearing within 10 business days of a lease enforcement notice.
A packet about the procedure is available at any property management office.