RRHA suspends tenant-based housing vouchers due to federal funding cuts

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Residents across the Central Virginia region are continuing to see the impacts of federal funding cuts, which are keeping low-income families in public housing longer than planned. 

On Tuesday, May 20, the Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority (RRHA) announced the suspension of new tenant-based vouchers from the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, which was formerly known as Section 8.

The voucher gives RRHA residents the flexibility to leave public housing and rent an affordable home of their choice. RRHA said a lack of federal funding for rental assistance programs resulted in the sudden suspension.

As a result, nearly 400 residents selected to receive their vouchers will be placed on a waitlist, which is already considered jam-packed. Currently, there are 4,042 families on RRHA’s HCV waitlist.

In a press release, the housing authority emphasized that residents on the waitlist will not lose their spot. RRHA plans to continue selecting residents from the waitlist once more funding is available.

There are currently 283 residents who have active voucher and are in the process of searching for a home. RRHA said they'll have 120 days from the date their voucher was issued to select a home. 

As RRHA adjusts its waitlist, residents are encouraged to ask questions about their status through the RRHA Information Center at 804-780-4200.