Emergency Housing Assistance Now Available In Prince William

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — The Prince William County Government will help pay the mortgages of some residents who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Housing Assistance Program will provide residents impacted by the pandemic with up to six months of mortgage assistance, according to a news release.

The program intends to help residents "prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus," the news release said. The program is available to those who lost income due to the pandemic.

"The County’s Emergency Housing Assistance Program has assisted to date 345 households with emergency housing assistance totaling over $3.5 million," said Joan Duckett, Assistant Director of Housing and Community Development. "The program has provided mortgage, rent, and utility assistance for families that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19."

Eligibility for the program is determined by a household's size and total income, compared to the area's median income established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 2020, the median income for the area was $126,000. The full criteria are available on the Office of Housing and Community Development's website.

The program will provide as many as six mortgage payments for qualified residents. Residents are not eligible for the program if they have already received mortgage assistance from a state, local, or federal agency.

The application for the Emergency Housing Assistance program can be submitted on the county's website. Residents can also download the application in Spanish or in English and email it to EHAProgram@pwcgov.org.

Any housing assistance will be paid directly to the mortgage company, according to a news release from the county. A paper application for the program is also available by calling the Office of Housing and Community Development at 703-792-7538.

Virginia offers a state-wide rent relief program for those who do not own their homes. The full eligibility requirements for the rent relief program are available on the Department of Housing and Community Development's website.

Tenants can receive assistance for up to 15 months of rent. Virginia residents can find out more about the program online or by dialing 2-1-1.