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PAYMENT STANDARDS 2024 UPDATED - Click here for more information

2024 HCV Payment Standards

What's New: HCV program has been awarded 15 Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV)

To: HCV waiting list applicants:

HCV program has been awarded 15 Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV)

What are EHV?

To assist individuals and families who are currently experiencing homelessness; including unaccompanied youth 18-24; fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking.

Am I eligible for EHV?

To be eligible for an EHV, an individual or family must meet one of following eligibility categories:

  • Homeless according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development definition of Homelessness (see definition below)
  • Homeless Unaccompanied youth 18-24 according to the Department of Education Definition of Homelessness (see definition below)
  • Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking

How can I get an EHV?

A referral must be made to PRHA from Crater Area Coalition on Homelessness

How can I get a referral?

If you believe you are eligible for an EHV please visit the website below and complete a EHV inquiry form:

https://cachcoc.org/ehv-faq/

You MUST the following definition to be eligible for the EHV voucher.

Definitions:

*(1) Individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning:

  • Has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant for human habitation;
  • Is living in a publicly or privately-operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state and local government programs); or
  • Is exiting an institution where (s)he has resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution

** Unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age, or families with children and youth, who do not otherwise qualify as homeless under this definition, but who:

  • Are defined as homeless under the other listed federal statutes;
  • Have not had a lease, ownership interest, or occupancy agreement in permanent housing during the 60 days prior to the homeless assistance application
  • Have experienced persistent instability as measured by two moves or more during the preceding 60 days:
  • Can be expected to continue in such status for an extended period of time due to special needs or barriers

PRHA HUD Waiver - Click here for more information

The purpose of the statutory and regulatory waivers is for HUD to assist PHAs and Tribal housing providers in continuing to operate and provide critical housing services to their local communities. PRHA has elected to utilize waivers and alternative requirements to expand housing assistance opportunities, including to families on waiting lists; providing affordable, safe housing during this time assists in addressing issues like homelessness and overcrowding that contribute to risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Click here to view or download – PRHA HUD WAIVER Document

Special Board of Commissioner's Meeting

The Board of Commissioner’s will meet Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 6:00 PM for a Special Board Meeting.  The meeting will be held at the Sycamore Towers Board Room.

WELCOME

Welcome – and thank you for visiting the website of the Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority (PRHA). We hope that you will find this website informative and exciting as we share important news, information and insight into the various programs and services which we provide within the City of Petersburg and surrounding areas.

The entire PRHA organization – our Board of Commissioners, staff, residents, and partners – strives to meet the needs of our community and to improve the quality of life for our residents.  This website provides some insight into who we are as an organization which centers around our mission to serve the citizens of Petersburg by providing affordable rental housing and assisting with home ownership opportunities to households in partnership with the City of Petersburg.

Founded in 1968, the Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority (PRHA) is the primary provider of affordable housing opportunities for lower and moderate income families in the City of Petersburg. The PRHA is the redevelopment arm for the City of Petersburg and has the power to acquire property for redevelopment, undertake property rehabilitation and collaborate with other partners to bring revitalization to the City of Petersburg.

Additionally, PRHA administers 837 Housing Choice Vouchers ( formerly Section 8) and owns and/or manages 548 affordable rental housing units across the City.

Mission

The mission of the Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority is to serve the citizens of Petersburg by providing safe and sanitary affordable housing and assisting with home ownership opportunities for households in partnership with the City of Petersburg. The Authority has established strong partnerships with public and private organizations to provide an array of services to PRHA clients and the community.

Seven Commissioners serve as the governing body of PRHA and are the foundation for the Authority’s actions and accomplishments. Each Commissioner must reside in Petersburg and is appointed by the Petersburg City Council.

The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the Board, and through the work of 27 dedicated, hard working employees in three departments, Development; Finance; and Housing, meets the mission and goals of the organization.

Connecting Families with the Community

837
Housing Choice Vouchers
548
Managed Affordable Rental Housing Units
310
Public Housing Units
38
Managed Rental Units

Key Information

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE HA?

An HA is responsible for the management and operation of its local public housing program. They may also operate other types of housing programs.

(1) On-going functions: (a) Assure compliance with leases. The lease must be signed by both parties; (b) Set other charges (e.g., security deposit, excess utility consumption, and damages to unit); (c) Perform periodic reexaminations of the family’s income at least once every 12 months; (d) Transfer families from one unit to another, in order to correct over/under crowding, repair or renovate a dwelling, or because of a resident’s request to be transferred; (e) Terminate leases when necessary; and (f) maintain the development in a decent, safe, and sanitary condition.

(2) Sometimes HAs provide other services, that might include such things as: homeownership opportunities for qualified families; employment training opportunities, and other special training and employment programs for residents; and support programs for the elderly.

HOW IS RENT DETERMINED?

Your rent, which is referred to as the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) in this program, would be based on your family’s anticipated gross annual income less deductions, if any. HUD regulations allow HAs to exclude from annual income the following allowances: $480 for each dependent; $400 for any elderly family, or a person with a disability; and some medical deductions for families headed by an elderly person or a person with disabilities. Based on your application, the HA representative will determine if any of the allowable deductions should be subtracted from your annual income. Annual income is the anticipated total income from all sources received from the family head and spouse, and each additional member of the family 18 years of age or older.

The formula used in determining the TTP is the highest of the following, rounded to the nearest dollar:

(1) 30 percent of the monthly adjusted income. (Monthly Adjusted Income is annual income less deductions allowed by the regulations);

(2) 10 percent of monthly income;

(3) welfare rent, if applicable; or

(4) a $25 minimum rent or higher amount (up to $50) set by an HA.

HOW LONG CAN I STAY IN PUBLIC HOUSING?

In general, you may stay in public housing as long as you comply with the lease.

If, at reexamination your family’s income is sufficient to obtain housing on the private market, the HA may determine whether your family should stay in public housing.

ARE THERE ANY SELECTION PREFERENCES?

Sometimes there are. Giving preference to specific groups of families enables an HA to direct their limited housing resources to the families with the greatest housing needs. Since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited resources available to HUD and the local HAs, long waiting periods are common. In fact, an HA may close its waiting list when there are more families on the list than can be assisted in the near future.

Each HA has the discretion to establish preferences to reflect needs in its own community. These preferences will be included in the HAs written policy manual. You should ask what preferences they honor so you will know whether you qualify for a preference.

Doing Business with PRHA

Providing rental housing and building economic homeownership opportunities for our residents means opportunities for area contractors and suppliers. Typical purchases include building construction, repair services, building maintenance materials, office supplies, equipment and administrative services.

PRHA’s central office is located at 128A South Sycamore Street, Petersburg, VA (behind Sycamore Towers).

Business hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, except holidays.

The main fax number is (804) 733-2229.

Learn more
Who Is Elgible?

Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. PRHA determines eligibility based on: 1) annual gross income; 2) whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family; and 3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. If you are eligible, the PRHA will check your references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants. PRHA will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the community’s environment

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Section 3

Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968:

Section 3 promotes local economic development, neighborhood economic development, and individual self-sufficiency. It requires that recipients of certain US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financial assistance, to the greatest extent possible, provide job training, employment, and contract opportunities for low or very low-income residents in connection with projects and activities in their neighborhoods.

Contractors, residents, and citizens are encouraged to visit the website of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to learn more about Section 3 at

Learn more

What our clients say

This Program save my life-
I love the community I live in-
The process was effortless- Strucks