RICHMOND, Va. -- As Virginia begins the process of reopening the state following weeks of COVID-19 shutdown, some people may lose their homes.
Courts have begun to reopen and some eviction proceedings that halted during the lockdown may now move forward.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced Monday some steps that were being taken to protect those in danger of losing their home.
“We've worked with Virginia Housing, the State Housing Finance Agency, to provide a three-month mortgage deferral for those experiencing economic hardship. If you are a landlord, who has had your Virginia Housing backed mortgage deferred, you must pass this deferral on to your tenants,” Governor Northam said. “Virginia Housing has committed $12 million in funding to support more than 200 nonprofit housing organizations across all regions of the Commonwealth so they can continue to deliver housing support services to Virginians.”
Other protections include:
- Tenants receiving a 60-day deferral on an eviction proceeding if they can show that they lost wages due to COVID-19.
- New legislation that caps late fees at 10%. n the periodic rent or 10% of the remaining balance due, whichever is less.
“This will prevent unfair late fees and cascading late fees due to missed payments,” the governor said.
For more information on protecting your home, click here.
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