RVA Stay

RVA Stay is a comprehensive approach of the City of Richmond to provide housing relief and assistance to help manage the increase in housing costs.

News & Announcements

• Mayor Stoney Announces “RVA Stay” Tax Relief Program and Four-Cent Tax Rebate for Richmond Residents

 

Learn more about Richmond's comprehensive housing relief programs

• Older Adults/Disabled Program (OAPD)
  • Richmond Freeze Program (New in 2025)
  • Exemption
• Gap Grant Pilot Program (New in 2025)
• Eviction Diversion
• Family Crisis Fund
• Energy Assistance Programs (Heating, Cooling, Crisis Assistance)
• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Home Repairs

 

FAQs

How do you apply for relief (for either program)?

There will be an application package for both programs. Development of needed materials is still in progress.

Gap Grant program applicants will apply for relief through the City of Richmond’s Department of Finance with final approval responsibility of the Director of Social Services (in the capacity as the local board of social services per state code).

Freeze program applicants will apply following the same process as applications for the city’s real estate tax exemption program for OAPD.

When do the new relief programs “go live”?

The programs are expected to go live in January 2025. “Go live” means that the city will begin receiving applications.

How is the city paying for the new programs?

In FY 2025 the city will use the revenue from the anticipated revenue from the assessment increase to support the new programs.

How much will the income-based tax relief program cost?

This is a pilot program. Approximately $3.9 million is being set aside for the first year. Grants will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted.

How much will the Freeze Program cost?

The Freeze program is estimated to cost no more than $100,000 in the first year.

Will Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority (RRHA) residents be eligible for relief?

RRHA residents are not eligible for the Gap Grant or Freeze programs.

How are these programs better than a flat real estate rate cut?

These programs target the city’s vulnerable populations to ensure relief goes to those who are in need. A real estate tax rate cut will not target neediest populations because it is proportionate to the tax levy. This means a tax rate reduction provides higher amounts of relief to higher valued parcels. We want to get relief to those who need it most.

What is the average assessment value in the city and what does a one-cent reduction mean?

Impact of 1-Cent Relief at Lowest, Average, and Highest 2024 Land Book Values

Property Type	% of Taxable Parcels	Low		Average		High
		Assessed Value	$0.01 Relief	Assessed Value	$0.01 Relief	Assessed Value	$0.01 Relief
Residential	84.1%	$1,000	$0.10	$366,163	$36.62	$6,906,200	$691
Condo	5.7%	$8,800	$0.88	$260,766	$26.08	$1,822,000	$182
Multi-Fam	1.9%	$2,000	$0.20	$5,125,092	$512.51	$81,665,200	$8,167
Commercial	6.1%	$1,000	$0.10	$1,352,202	$135.22	$175,101,200	$17,510
Industrial	2.1%	$1,400	$0.14	$1,695,584	$169.56	$155,922,800	$15,592
Overall	100%	$1,000	$0.10	$539,934	$53.99	$230,590,400	$23,059

 

What is the impact of a one-cent real estate tax reduction vs. the Gap Grant Program?

For a 2024 assessment of $366,163 a four-cent tax reduction would mean the homeowner would get back $146.48 for the year. If that same homeowner qualified for the Gap Grant Program, they could get up to $1,200 over six months (up to $200/month).

Are these one-time programs, or programs residents can rely on in the future?

The Gap Grant Program is a pilot being implemented for the first time in 2025. Our goal is to continue the program in subsequent years.

 

Pilot Gap Grant Program

How can the city legally implement an income-based tax relief program without the Commonwealth of Virginia’s approval?

Under the Code of Virginia, Social Services title (§63.2-314), the city’s Director of Social Services in her capacity as the local board of social services has the authority to disburse grants for the purpose of aiding needy persons. It is under this authority that the city may administer the new Gap Grant Program to aid low-income residents.

Why didn’t you propose the Gap Grant Program option sooner?

As a Dillon Rule state, the city’s charter needs to be amended by the Virginia General Assembly for us to provide an income-based tax relief program like we do with the other tax relief programs currently. The city proposed the legislation change in 2023 but ultimately, the General Assembly did not approve it.

Since then, the city team identified an interim solution to administer the program through the Code of Virginia Social Services title. We will continue to work with the General Assembly to get the necessary approval so we can provide this program through the Department of Finance, like we do with the other tax relief programs.

How much can I get from this program?

You can get a maximum of $1,200 over six months (up to $200/month) if you qualify for the Gap Grant Program.

Does the relief check come to me, the mortgage company, or the landlord?

A two-party check will be issued to the applicant/owner and mortgage company (for homeowners) and to the applicant/renter and the landlord (for renters). If the grant amount exceeds the monthly rent, the city will work with the applicant to ensure the mortgage company or landlord apply the remainder of the grant toward a future payment.

How was the relief amount decided?

The grant amount is based on the 1-cent tax rate reduction equivalent of $3.9 million with an estimated participation rate applied based on American Community Survey income, household, and demographic population data and considers median gross rent (around $1,500) and median housing costs for homeowners including mortgage (around $2,000).

Who is eligible for relief under the income-based assistance program?

• Must be a resident of the City of Richmond, Virginia. You must provide proof of your residency in the application process.
• Meet the definition of low-income for the Richmond, Virginia, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for FY 2024 based on household size. Income limits will be updated to match any newly-published HUD Section 8 income limits for the Richmond, VA, MSA. Currently, the maximum allowable (combined) household income may not exceed the following income limits:
  

  Persons in Household
  	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
  Low (80%) Income1	$61,800	$70,600	$79,450	$88,250	$95,350	$102,400	$109,450	$116,500

  Note: Limits published by U.S. HUD on an MSA basis, not a city/county level.

• If you are a renter, you must have a current lease in your name to qualify.
• If you are a homeowner, you must currently be the primary owner and occupant of the dwelling to qualify.
• You must demonstrate that your annual housing costs comprise more than 30.0 percent of the annual maximum allowable household income to qualify. For homeowners, housing costs include mortgage (principal and interest on the home loan), homeowner’s insurance, and homeowner association/assessment fees (if applicable). For renters, housing costs include rent and tenant renter’s insurance.
• You are not eligible for assistance if you are receiving other housing assistance, such as if you are a public housing resident in the City of Richmond, your household receives a housing choice voucher, you receive Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities tax relief, or you participate in the Eviction Diversion program.
• The income of the applicant and the income of cohabiting household members will be considered toward the qualifying maximum allowable household income.

What other qualifications must I meet to receive the monthly grant?

You must enroll in workforce development and financial planning sessions.

Are delinquent taxpayers eligible?

Delinquent taxpayers, once enrolled in the program, must become current on real estate (if applicable) and/or personal property taxes.

Are students eligible?

Students are not excluded from the program. However, lease, income, and housing cost criteria must still be met and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis dependent on circumstances.

Can I qualify if I receive state or federal housing assistance?

Qualification is dependent on meeting the lease, income, and housing cost criteria. State, federal, and other city housing assistance will be reviewed and taken into consideration during the application process.

I am an OAPD participant, can I also get the Gap Grant relief?

No, if you are getting relief through the OAPD Exemption or Freeze programs you will not be eligible for the Gap Grant Program.

What if I do not qualify for the Gap Grant program, what other programs are available?

1. Eviction Diversion Program, Administered by Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation (SCDHC)
2. If a person is participating in any program that has a cap on the amount an individual pays toward housing expenses. The caps are usually at 30% or less. Examples of these programs are the Rapid Rehousing and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA).
3. Housing choice vouchers (HCV)
4. Public Housing Development residency through the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA), typically for those who pay no more than 30.0 of their income in rent.

Are business owners eligible for the Gap Grant program relief?

No, the Gap Grant program is for residential homeowners and renters.

When does the Gap Grant pilot program start and end?

The pilot program year will run January 1 through December 31, 2025.

How soon will hear back if I got the grant?

The city will contact you within a week of receiving your complete application.

 

Richmond Freeze Program

What is the Richmond Freeze Program?

The Freeze Program provides real estate tax relief to qualifying participants. This program freezes the real estate tax you must pay each year. The amount you will pay will be the same as the year prior to when you apply and are accepted into the program.

Who is eligible for the freeze program?

• You must be at least 65 years of age OR 100 percent permanently and totally disabled as of December 31 of the previous year.
• You must occupy as the sole dwelling the residence in question.
• You must hold title to the residence.
• Your household may not have a combined total gross income exceeding $125,000, including Social Security for the previous year. Total gross income means income subject to tax under federal income tax laws, regulations, rules, or policies prior to any adjustments, deductions, or exemptions.
• The income of owner’s relatives living in the dwelling must be included in the total income, excluding the first $10,000 of each relative’s earnings. If a nurse/family member is assisting you, then their income is not included in the total taxable income (does not include income of bona fide caregivers).
• Financial worth of the owner, spouse, and co-owner may not exceed $750,000 as of December 31. The dwelling and up to one acre of land on which the dwelling is located is excluded from the financial worth. Items included in financial worth are vehicles, checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, stocks and bonds, life insurance policies with a cash value, among others.
• If you are forced to leave your home and receive treatment in an assisted living facility, hospice care, extended hospital stays, or nursing home, relief will continue if your residence is not sold or rented to anyone.

How do I apply for the program?

Follows the same application cycle as the OAPD tax exemption.

When is the application due?

Filing deadline is December 31, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to apply by September 30, 2025.

If I apply and qualify in early 2025, when will I see the freeze applied to my real estate tax?

If you apply and qualify in early 2025, you will receive a refund from your 2025 first half real estate tax bill for the increase and relief will be applied to your second half 2025 real estate and all subsequent real estate tax bills so long as subsequent recertifications/applications are maintained.

Is the value of my home included in the net worth calculation?

The dwelling and up to one acre of land on which the dwelling is located is excluded from the financial worth. Items included in financial worth are vehicles, checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, stocks and bonds, life insurance policies with a cash value, among others.

What is the difference between the OADP exemption program and the new Freeze program?

As a homeowner can only qualify for one or the other. Below are the requirements for the two programs:

Older Adults/Disabled Program (OAPD)
	Exemption	Richmond Freeze - NEW
Household Income3 Max	$70,000	$125,000
Net Worth Max	$450,000	$750,000
Tax Relief Provided	Based on household income: $0-$30,000: 100% $30,001-$40,000: 75% $40,001-$50,000: 50% $50,001-$70,000: 25%	100% on any future tax increases from the time of acceptance
Max Relief Limit	N/A	N/A
Application Cycle	Application effective for three years; recertification for years 2-3	Application effective for three years; recertification for years 2-3
Participation Eligibility	Unique – OAPD or Tax Freeze, but not both (same limits)	Unique – OAPD or Tax Freeze, but not both (same limits)
Participation	2,330	0
Cost to city	$5.75 million	$200,000 (2025 Estimate only)