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Norfolk Eviction Prevention Center
The Department of Neighborhood Services is leading the city’s efforts to prevent evictions. The Eviction Prevention Center provides financial assistance and other resources to eligible Norfolk renters who are facing evictions due to unforeseen hardships. This is not a long-term rental assistance program and assistance is only available once within a 12-month period.
Please continue to check for updates for future openings of the financial assistance portal.
Current Program Requirements:
- Must live in a rental property located in Norfolk, Virginia.
- Past due rental balance must be a minimum of $100.00 and cannot exceed $6,000.00.
- Landlord must be willing to participate in the program.
- Have not received assistance from the Norfolk Eviction Prevention Center within the last twelve months. The twelve-month period begins at the time payment is made to the landlord, not from the date you requested assistance. For example, if a request for assistance was made in August 2025 and payment is made to the landlord in September 2025, you will not be eligible for assistance again until September 2026.
- Gross household income does not exceed 80% of the area median income. This means your household income cannot be more than the amount reported on the HUD income limits for the program year. Click here to see current income requirements
- Must meet minimum risk factors.
- Emergency financial assistance is not available from the Norfolk Eviction Prevention Center.
We strongly recommend that you:
- Keep in mind that a request is not a guarantee that you will receive financial assistance, and you should continue to seek other resources.
- Communicate with your landlord and/or leasing agent on a regular basis.
- Make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
- Ask questions and seek information about the eviction process in Virginia.
- If you have been issued an unlawful detainer, it is important that you go to court.
We understand requests for assistance are time-sensitive, especially when eviction is imminent. We will do our very best to respond to all emails as quickly as possible from tenants at risk of imminent eviction. At the latest, staff from the Eviction Prevention Program will respond within two business days (excluding weekends and holidays) depending on volume of calls and emails.
Landlords or Leasing Agents who initially agree to participate in the program, can still proceed with termination of your lease and/or rental agreement in accordance with Virginia’s landlord and tenant statutes based on other lease violations. Therefore, you must comply with all terms of your lease during the process.
- How long do I have before my landlord can evict me?
- What are my rights as a renter?
- What should I do if my landlord tries to illegally lock me out of my rental?
- Can I negotiate with my landlord to avoid eviction and catch up on the past-due rent?
- Do I need to show up for my court date?
- I need help, but don’t know where to go. Where do I start?
- What bills should I pay if I can’t afford all my expenses?
- What additional resources are available?
Additional Resources
Virginia Legal Aid Guides
For tenants facing eviction in Virginia, this guide contains useful information on the eviction process and other housing legal problems.
Housing Crisis Hotline
If you are experiencing a housing crisis and in need of shelter, case management and related services call 757-587-4202.
Contact the Virginia Department of Social Services for food assistance help.
Dominion Virginia Energy
Short and Long-Term payment arrangements are available. The website also has information on energy assistance programs.
Virginia Natural Gas
See the website, for information on energy programs, payment arrangements and resources.
Hampton Roads Sanitation District
No current direct relief programs, contact to address arrears.
Virginia Energy Assistance Program
This program offers assistance to low-income households with crisis, fuel, cooling and weatherization assistance.
Salvation Army H2O Water Assistance
If you have a personal or family crisis that affects your ability to pay your public utilities, you may be eligible to get assistance with your HRSD/HRUBS.
Norfolk Works Job Resource Center
Assistance is available for professional résumé writing, job leads for local employers, online application assistance, career assessments and career exploration, searches for jobs and training, access to job banks and other listings of available jobs, connections to workforce partners, events, and employment opportunities.
The Hampton Roads Workforce Development Council
HRWDC provides strategic workforce development solutions designed to assist businesses in accessing qualified workers and job seekers in search of suitable job openings and training opportunities to bolster their earning potential.
Virginia Department of Social Services
Job opportunities can be found here.
Bank On Hampton Roads
A partnership of participating banks, credit unions and community organizations across Hampton Roads designed to help you take control of your finances. Bank On offers free financial literacy courses and matched savings program.
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia- Norfolk Office
If you are eligible, Legal Aid may be able to assist in civil legal matters such as landlord/tenant and public benefits. For information call (757) 827-5078 or visit.
Norfolk Law Library
Norfolk Law Library, a public law library and non-profit foundation, serves the legal research needs of the general public, lawyers, and the courts.
CommonHelp
A partnership with the Virginia Department of Social Services which provides assistance programs, including food stamps, TANF, childcare services and more.
2-1-1 Virginia
A statewide resource that provides information on assistance programs, foodbanks, shelters rent and utility assistance, work initiatives and physical and mental health resources. Call 2-1-1 from any phone or text CONNECT to 247211.
Resources757
A directory of resources information on a wide variety of resources available in the Hampton Roads area. This is a regional resource page so be sure to check if the resource you find serves Norfolk residents., and the courts.