Landlord Group Encourages Tenants To Seek Rental Assistance

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — An association representing landlords and property managers across Northern Virginia is advocating for tenants to seek rental assistance if they're facing financial hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Our members are very concerned about tenants and their ability to pay rent, more of a humane perspective, than 'We need rent in our pockets,'" said Patrick Algyer, executive director of the Northern Virginia Apartment Association (NVAA).

While Algyer acknowledged that the members who make up NVAA were facing expenses of their own, such as property taxes, utilities, and their own mortgages, they recognized many tenants are facing substantial hardships due to the pandemic.

In addition, the federal eviction moratorium that was put in place as part of the CARES Act is due to expire on Saturday, and the $600 unemployment benefit also sunsets on July 31.

"We just wanted to make sure that we did everything in our power to get out the message to all of the tenants in the area, what options are available to them if they're struggling to pay rent," he said. "We have a lot of undocumented workers that are renting, and I know that they're very fearful about being deported or just could be ashamed to come forward and ask for help, whether they're undocumented or not."

On Monday, Algyer wrote an open letter to NVAA tenants, offering them some advice on what they should do if they find they can't pay their rent.

"Talk to your landlord," he said, in the letter. "Be honest and forthright with your current financial situation and provide documentation such as proof of unemployment benefits and/or a letter from your employer. Many landlords are working with tenants, providing payment plans or may have options to move you to a more cost-effective unit, depending on availability."

Algyer also suggested they visit the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program website to see if they are eligible for financial assistance. If they are eligible, DHCD may be able to provide up to one month of current rent and three months of past due rent.

Every jurisdiction in Northern Virginia has passed its own individual housing assistance programs, which they've funded by themselves or through CARES Act funding. These include:

• Arlington County
• Alexandria City
• Fairfax County
• Loudoun County
• Prince William

In addition, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development has access to $50 million to help people right now and has already released $10 million of that, according to Algyer.

"We've been really advocating as much as we possibly can for as much rent assistance to the tenants as possible, because we know that for anybody, regardless, once you get a few thousand dollars behind it's nearly impossible to recover," Algyer said. "We're really focused on helping our tenants and making sure that they're successful and continuing to have a place to live."