Best Housing & Financial in Virginia — 14 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.

Housing & Financial in Virginia

Virginia has Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts handling custody, visitation, and child support (for unmarried parents and modifications), plus Circuit Courts handling divorce. The Division of Child Support Enforcement operates under DSS. Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Richmond, Arlington, and Alexandria are the largest cities. Central Virginia Legal Aid and the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance serve women.

14 Resources

1. Virginia Housing — Free

Virginia Housing (formerly VHDA) at 601 S Belvidere St in Richmond originates first-time-homebuyer mortgages, down payment assistance, and administers the Housing Choice Voucher program across most of the state. Free homebuyer education classes online. (804) 782-1986 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(804) 782-1986 · 601 S Belvidere St, Richmond, VA 23220 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Fairfax County Housing Authority — Free

FCRHA at 3700 Pender Dr Suite 300 in Fairfax owns 18 affordable rental properties and administers Housing Choice Vouchers, the Bridging Affordability program, and an FSS economic mobility track. Survivors of DV qualify for priority placement. (703) 246-5100 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

(703) 246-5100 · 3700 Pender Dr Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22030 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority — Free

RRHA at 901 Chamberlayne Pkwy in Richmond owns Gilpin, Whitcomb, Fairfield, Mosby, Hillside, and Creighton Courts plus administers the city's Housing Choice Vouchers. Waitlists open periodically. (804) 780-4200 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(804) 780-4200 · 901 Chamberlayne Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23220 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Salvation Army Virginia — Emergency Aid — Free

The Salvation Army operates 30+ Virginia corps offering one-time emergency rent and utility help, food pantries, and Christmas assistance. Call 1-800-725-2769 Mon-Fri 9am-4pm to find your nearest corps and current funding availability.

(800) 725-2769 · Multiple locations statewide · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

5. Habitat for Humanity — Northern Virginia — Free

Habitat NOVA at 5641 Columbia Pike Suite 100 in Falls Church builds and rehabilitates affordable homes in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties — sold to qualifying families at zero-interest with sweat-equity hours. (703) 521-9890 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

(703) 521-9890 · 5641 Columbia Pike Suite 100, Falls Church, VA 22041 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. United Way of Greater Richmond — Financial Stability — Free

United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg funds the Financial Stability initiative — VITA tax preparation, financial coaching, and SingleStop benefits screening. Dial 211 to find the nearest partner offering free financial coaching.

211 · Richmond, VA · 24/7 via 211 · Visit Website

7. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

HUD.gov locates Virginia's HUD field office in Richmond and lists every Section 8 administrator, Continuum-of-Care lead, and PHA in the state. Useful when filing a fair-housing complaint.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

HUD's Continuum of Care page lists Virginia's 18 CoCs and the lead agencies coordinating shelter placement in each region — Richmond, Hampton Roads, NoVA, Roanoke, and rural Virginia.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

LIHEAP funds Virginia's Energy Assistance Program administered by DSS — heating help November-March, cooling help June-August, and crisis assistance year-round. Apply at any local DSS office.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

Salvation Army Virginia's locator helps women find food pantries, emergency rent help, utility assistance, and the Angel Tree program in their city. Service availability varies by corps.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Richmond and Diocese of Arlington provide rental assistance, refugee services, and counseling — Virginia women of any religion qualify based on need.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. United Way Worldwide — Free

Local United Ways across Virginia — Greater Richmond, Hampton Roads, NoVA, Roanoke Valley — fund 211, family-supports grants, and basic-needs programs targeted at single mothers.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Habitat.org locates Virginia's affiliates — Habitat NOVA, Richmond Metro Habitat, Habitat Peninsula, and 20+ others — covering every region of the state.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Family Promise — Free

Family Promise affiliates across Virginia (Greater Richmond, Hampton Roads, Loudoun, Prince William, Greater Charlottesville) shelter homeless families with children through host congregations — keeps women with kids together.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in Virginia?
Women's Corner tracks 14 housing & financial resources for women in Virginia.
Are housing & financial resources in Virginia free?
14 of the 14 listed housing & financial resources in Virginia are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Virginia have housing & financial resources?
Listings span cities including Richmond, Fairfax, Falls Church.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Virginia?
Featured entries include Virginia Housing, Fairfax County Housing Authority, Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority, Salvation Army Virginia — Emergency Aid, Habitat for Humanity — Northern Virginia.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
6 of 14 Virginia housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?
It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?
211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?
Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?
Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.