Emergency Rent Assistance Program Launched In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The City of Alexandria has opened its emergency rent assistance program to applicants with financial hardships related to the coronavirus crisis.

The COVID-19 Emergency Rent Relief Assistance Program provides $600 per month for up to three months. The funds would be provided directly to property owners on behalf of the eligible renters.

Eligible renters live in the City of Alexandria, prove loss of income related to COVID-19, be current on rent as of March 31 and meet monthly income requirements based on household size.

Income requirements are broken into two tiers. The city will give priority to applicants with tier one monthly income, and applications will also be accepted for applicants with tier two income.

For example, the tier one income limits are $2,117 for a one-person household, $2,847 for a two-person household and $4,187 for a four-person household. The tier two limits are $4,410 for a one-person household, $5,040 for a two-person household and $6,300 for a four-person household. Amounts reflect income before taxes.

Renters are generally not eligible if they have a tenant-based voucher, live in project-based voucher communities, live in public housing, or receive other government-based rental assistance such as the city's Community Development Block Grant Rent Relief Program.

The program is available through federal CARES Act funding allocated to the City of Alexandria. The first round of applications are accepted through May 29. Applications received after May 29 will be reviewed on a rolling basis depending on availability of funding.

Residents can apply through Alexandria's 311 system.