Rental Assistance Programs

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The federally funded Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program helps low-income families, older adults and persons with disabilities rent decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. To learn more about the HCV program, please visit our program webpages.

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Energy Assistance Programs

Albemarle County operates a federally mandated Energy Assistance Program with heating and cooling components for all residents with economic need.

During the summer, the Cooling Assistance Program provides for the purchase of window air conditioners and fans, or for repair of cooling equipment and/or payment for electricity for households containing a vulnerable individual who is aged, disabled, or under age six.

The Fuel Assistance Program helps with home heating fuel and related charges. Benefits are determined and authorization for deliveries or services are sent to vendors in December.

The Crisis Assistance Program is intended to meet a household’s emergency heating needs. This assistance offers heating equipment repair or purchase and/or a one-time only heat security deposit. Purchase of home heating fuel or payment of heat utility bills is available beginning January 1^st of each year.

For more information about these programs and program eligibility, or to apply for assistance, please visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website.

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Rental Counseling Services

Piedmont Housing Alliance
Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA) can help with issues that come up when renting such as, your credit score, finding affordable rental homes, and making rental payments on time. PHA’s Housing Counselors can coach you in building the skills that make it easier to have a positive relationship with your landlord and provide you with the knowledge you need to be a responsible and informed renter. For more information, please contact PHA at 434-817-2436 or housingcounseling@piedmonthousing.org.

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Affordable Rental Properties

Affordable Rental Housing Properties

A variety of affordable rental housing properties are located in Albemarle County and the surrounding area. Apartment units in the properties are available to income eligible renters. Please contact the properties directly for more information.

• Affordable Apartment Communities

Developer Provided Affordable Rental Units
From time to time, private housing developers provide affordable rental units in new developments. To qualify to rent one of these units, a household must have an annual income no greater than 60% of area median income (AMI) or 80% AMI adjusted for household size depending on the unit. See the table below for current income limits. Affordable units for rent will be listed here when available.

No developer provided affordable rental units are available at this time.

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2024 Household Income Limits (effective 4/15/2024)

60% AMI Income Limits

Number of people in household	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Income limit	$52,164	$59,616	$67,068	$74,520	$80,482	$86,443	$92,405	$98,366

 

80% AMI Income Limits

Number of people in household	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Income limit	$69,552	$78,448	$89,424	$99,360	$107,309	$115,258	$123,206	$131,155

Real Property Tax Relief

Tax Relief for Elderly and/or Disabled Residents
Albemarle County provides a tax relief program for qualified residents who are age 65 or older and/or permanently and totally disabled. For information on this program, visit the Real Estate Tax Relief section of our website, or contact the Real Estate Office at (434) 296-5852.

• Apply on-line

Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption
Veterans with a 100% total and permanent service-connected disability may be eligible for a tax exemption on their primary residence, including up to 10 acres of land. For qualification requirements or additional information, please contact the County Assessor’s Office at (434) 296-5856.

• Download the Application

Surviving spouses of members of armed forces who were either killed in action or killed in the line of duty may also be eligible for real property tax exemptions. More information about these programs can be found on the Real Estate Office website, or by calling the Real Estate Office on (434) 296-5856. Links to copies of the program applications are provided below.

• Application for Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Members of Armed Forces Killed in Action
• Application for Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Members of Armed Forces Kill in the Line of Duty

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Home Repair & Energy Efficiency Programs

Albemarle Home Improvement Program (AHIP) provides emergency repairs, home rehabs and energy-efficiency upgrades to families in Albemarle County. Services include small to large home repairs, emergency home repairs such as repairs to leaking roofs or furnaces, installation of wheelchair ramps, and insulating homes. To learn more about AHIP’s programming, or to see if you qualify for services, visit AHIP’s website.

Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) provides a variety of energy efficiency related services for Albemarle County residents including home energy assessments, weatherization services, and educational programming. More information about LEAP’s services and education events can be found on their website.

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Energy Assistance Programs

Albemarle County operates a federally mandated Energy Assistance Program with heating and cooling components for all residents with economic need.

During the summer, the Cooling Assistance Program provides for the purchase of window air conditioners and fans, or for repair of cooling equipment and/or payment for electricity for households containing a vulnerable individual who is aged, disabled, or under age six.

The Fuel Assistance Program helps with home heating fuel and related charges. Benefits are determined and authorization for deliveries or services are sent to vendors in December.

The Crisis Assistance Program is intended to meet a household’s emergency heating needs. This assistance offers heating equipment repair or purchase and/or a one-time only heat security deposit. Purchase of home heating fuel or payment of heat utility bills is available beginning January 1st of each year.

For more information about these programs and program eligibility, or to apply for assistance, please visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website.

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Home Accessibility Modifications

Virginia Housing Accessibility Modification Grants
Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA) serves as an agent on behalf of Virginia Housing to implement the Rental Unit Accessibility Modification (RUAM), and Granting Freedom grant programs:

1. Owner Occupied Modification is a grant program for income qualified homeowners that can be used to install ramps, grab bars and other modifications to make your home easier to navigate..
2. Granting Freedom is a grant program for accessible home modifications for disabled veterans and service members who sustained a line of duty injury resulting in a service-connected disability. 

To learn more about these programs, download a copy of the Virginia Housing Accessibility Grant Program Handbook. For assistance with completing and submitting the required application please contact PHA for more information.