The cost of housing has increased in many areas of Virginia, and many families are struggling to maintain stable housing. Virginia offers a comprehensive network of housing and homelessness support resources, including emergency shelters, rental assistance, eviction prevention programs, and statewide hotlines such as 2-1-1 Virginia. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) coordinates crisis response systems, while local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) offer vouchers and affordable housing options.
Housing and Homelessness Programs in Virginia
Virginia Homeless Solutions Program (VHSP)
One of the most important programs is the Virginia Homeless Solutions Program (VHSP).
This program provides funding to local governments and nonprofit organizations that assist people experiencing homelessness. VHSP funds can be used for several critical interventions:
- Rapid Rehousing: Quickly moving near-homeless households into permanent housing.
- Targeted Prevention: Assisting those at imminent risk of homelessness (within 14 days) who have incomes below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
- Emergency Shelter Operations: Supporting the day-to-day operation of homeless shelters.
- Street Outreach: Engaging individuals living in uninhabitable conditions.
- System Support: Includes the costs of the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS), coordinated intake systems, and Co-op planning.
The program focuses on reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness and helping those who are homeless return quickly to stable housing.
Local organizations that receive VHSP funding typically provide direct assistance to residents. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofit organizations, and public housing authorities that are active members of a local Continuum of Care (CdC).
Eligibility: Services are accessed through a local Coordinated Access system. Households must undergo an assessment to determine their level of need and the appropriate intervention. Programs must utilize low-barrier standards, meaning they should prioritize housing without prerequisites such as sobriety or a minimum income.
Virginia Housing Trust Fund – Homeless Reduction Grant
The Virginia Housing Trust Fund – Homelessness Reduction Grant (HTF-HRG) is a competitive grant program administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that allocates up to 20% of the total Virginia Housing Trust Fund to reduce homelessness. Eligible project types in 2026 include:
- Rapid Rehousing: Financial assistance and services to help near-homeless families move quickly into permanent housing.
- Permanent Supported Housing (PSH): Funding for rental assistance and stabilization services for chronically homeless individuals.
- Innovation Project for Disadvantaged Populations: Flexible funding for research and development of pilot solutions for disadvantaged groups, such as older adults or unaccompanied youth.
Local governments, non-profit organizations, public housing authorities, and regional organizations that provide housing assistance.
Requirement: Applicants must be actively involved in their local Continuity of Care (CoC) or State Local Planning Group (LPG).
Timeline: Applications for the 2026 HTF-HRG cycle were submitted through the Centralized Application and Management System (CAMS), with some local deadlines in late 2025.
Selection criteria: Projects are scored based on need, approach, local coordination, and capacity; a minimum score of 60 is required to be considered for funding.
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) is a federal program that also supports homeless services in Virginia. Administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), it focuses on the rapid stabilization of those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. For the 2025-2026 program year, Virginia anticipates receiving approximately $3 million in federal ESG funding. ESG funding is limited to five specific programs:
- Street Assistance: Essential services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Emergency Shelter: Operations, essential services, and minor renovations.
- Homelessness Prevention: Assistance for individuals at imminent risk of homelessness (income must be below 30% of the area median income).
- Rapid Rehousing: Rapid relocation of homeless households to permanent housing through rental assistance and stabilization services.
- HMIS (Data Collection): Costs associated with using the Homelessness Management Information System.
Individuals should contact their local Coordinated Entry or Central Admissions system.
Norfolk: Southeast Virginia Coalition for the Homeless. Henrico/Richmond: Homeless Connection Line (804-972-0813).
Roanoke: Blue Ridge Continuum Care (540-853-1163).
PATH Homelessness Assistance Program
The Projects for Transition Assistance (PATH) program is a federal-state collaboration in Virginia that provides social services and support to adults with severe mental illness (SMI) who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. PATH teams prioritize outreach to connect individuals with services, including:
Street Outreach: Engaging with individuals in locations such as shelters and encampments.
Case Management: Assisting with housing searches, mental health treatment, and access to benefits. Support: Some providers may offer limited, one-time financial assistance for housing costs.
In some cases, PATH can help pay a month’s rent, a security deposit, or other housing expenses to help someone secure housing.
Eligibility: Adults (18 years and older) with a diagnosed serious mental illness (including co-occurring disorders) who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. Services are provided through local Community Service Boards (CSBs) in 14 communities across Virginia.
Subsidized Housing
Subsidized housing in Virginia is primarily managed through local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and private landlords who accept federal vouchers. Programs are generally restricted to low-income families, seniors (age 62 and older), and people with disabilities. Eligibility is generally income-based (typically 80% or less of the area median income). Use VirginiaNavigator for more information.
Organizations such as SupportWorks Housing develop and manage supported housing communities throughout Virginia. These programs combine affordable housing with services such as health support, counseling, and job assistance.
Eligibility: Most programs require household income to be at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), although some allow up to 80%. Local housing grants are available for seniors (65 and older), working families with children under 18, and people with disabilities. The income threshold for a family of four in 2026 is $69,658.
How to find available units: Use Virginia Housing Search, a free, real-time tool to find apartments that fit specific budgets and needs.
Housing Crisis Hotlines and Coordinated Entry Systems
Virginia uses a coordinated entry system to connect people experiencing homelessness with available services.
Call 211 to find local housing assistance programs and shelters. Crisis hotlines and local housing resource centers can assess your situation and connect you with services.
The Richmond-area Homelessness Connection Line helps people experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of losing their homes.
Housing Resource Centers in cities like Virginia Beach offer assessments and referrals to housing programs.
Tips for Getting Help Faster
If you need housing assistance in Virginia, these steps may be helpful:
- Call 211 Virginia for local referrals. Contact your local Continuity of Care agency.
- Apply to multiple programs simultaneously.
- Work with a case manager if one is available.
- Have important documents ready (ID, proof of income, eviction notice).
Housing programs often have waiting lists, so contacting multiple resources can increase your chances of getting help.
Summary
Virginia residents facing housing insecurity should contact 211 Virginia for immediate help, use DHCD crisis resources to find local contacts, and apply for long-term housing support through Public Housing Authorities (PHAs).
