Eviction Diversion and Homeless Services

Eviction Prevention Assistance:

*Governor Northam has signed the Budget Bill (HB 7001) which restores, clarifies, and strengthens the state eviction protections in effect from January through June 2021. It will remain in effect through June 30, 2022. Review the details on pages 16-17 of the linked PDF. 

Click here to review the Tenant Rights to Avoid Eviction One Pager- as of 8/10/21. This document sets forth the new Virginia eviction protections, the Virginia Rent Relief Program, and the latest CDC eviction protections.

City of Richmond Eviction Diversion Program (EDP)

Richmond’s Eviction Diversion Program is now administered and run by Southside Community Development & Housing Corp., which assists Richmond residents to achieve housing stability and prevent unnecessary evictions by providing financial assistance to pay past due rent to their landlord. This program is only available to residents who rent in the City of Richmond, and landlords who own rental properties in the City of Richmond. This program requires the landlord’s participation. The Eviction Diversion Program is a resource that provides help to bring a tenant’s outstanding rent to a zero balance within three months or less.

To see if you're eligible and apply for the program please click the link below.

www.scdhc.com/eviction-diversion-program

Homeless Services:

The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care is the Richmond region’s broad group of stakeholders and service providers whose mission is to end homelessness. Homeless service organizations that provide emergency shelter programs, rapid re-housing services, permanent supportive housing services, pandemic response programs, and services for individuals who are currently homeless/houseless or for individuals facing a housing crisis operate within the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care’s network. The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care covers the City of Richmond, Henrico County, Chesterfield County, Hanover, the City of Ashland, Powhatan County, Goochland County, New Kent County, and Charles City.

How to Access Homeless Services Through the Coordinated Entry System

If you are facing a housing crisis, and need to access the homeless services provided by the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care partners, you must be referred through the Coordinated Entry System, which is operated through the following access points:

Homeless Crisis Line (HCL)

The Homeless Crisis Line, which is administered and operated by the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care, facilitates access to resources and shelter alternatives for those who are three days or less away from losing their housing. The service is also available to those already experiencing homelessness. The Homeless Crisis Line operates through the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC), and is available to call Monday through Friday from 8:00AM – 6:00PM. https://www.connectva.org/groups/homeward/

If you are facing an eviction and need access to resources, please call the Homeless Crisis Line at (804) 972-0813.

Domestic Violence Crisis Lines (804) 612-6126 – this phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This line is for any person or family looking for help with a domestic violence situation in their household.

Shelter Providers in the Greater Richmond Region:

The City Of Richmond IS NO LONGER SPONSORING A COLD WEATHER OVERFLOW SHELTER.

In order to access emergency shelter support and services, you must be referred to a shelter through either the Homeless Crisis Line (804-972-0813), the Domestic Violence Crisis Line (804-612-6126), or through a referral from a Coordinated Outreach team member. Referrals are given out based on bed availability and length of time on the waitlist. If you need assistance through emergency shelters in the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care’s network, do not go directly to the shelters expecting to be assisted. You must receive a referral through the Coordinated Entry

The following organizations provide emergency shelter services in the Richmond region:

• CARITAS (Men & Women Shelters)
• Daily Planet Health Service (Shelter for individuals seeking medical or mental health services)
• Hanover Safe Place (Domestic Violence Shelter)
• HomeAgain (Men, women, and family shelters)
• Housing Families First (Family Shelter)
• Goochland Cares
• Liberation Veterans Services (Veteran’s Shelter)
• Safe Harbor (Domestic Violence Shelter)
• Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (Short-Term Transitional Units)
• Salvation Army (Men & Family Shelter)
• YWCA (Domestic Shelter)
• Greater Richmond Continuum of Care Non-Congregate Hotel Program (Pandemic Response Program)

Coordinated Street Outreach

Coordinated Street Outreach services are provided for individuals and families who are living in places not meant for human habitation. Outreach workers build trust and work with the homeless individuals to provide them case management, connections to mainstream services, and connections to homeless services in the Richmond region. The City of Richmond Department of Social Services, Daily Planet Health Services, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, and St. Joseph’s Villa all have coordinated outreach teams that provide this essential service, and connections to other homeless services, to the greater Richmond Region. The Coordinated Street Outreach team assists individuals gain referrals for services like emergency shelter assistance.