What the Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority does

The Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA) is the public housing agency for the city of Chesapeake, Virginia. It owns and manages public housing units, administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, and runs other affordable housing programs within city limits. CRHA is a separate legal entity from the city government, though it operates under state law and federal housing regulations.

If you live in Chesapeake and are looking for affordable rental housing, or if you already rent from CRHA, you will deal with this agency directly — not with the city, not with a state office, and not with a federal department. CRHA sets its own rent policies within federal limits, maintains the properties it owns, and determines who can move into public housing based on income and other factors.

Key Takeaways

  • CRHA manages public housing units and Section 8 vouchers for Chesapeake residents, and you contact CRHA directly — not the city or state — for housing questions.
  • Public housing rent is based on your income and household size, not on market rates, and typically ranges from 25 to 40 percent of your gross monthly income.
  • Section 8 vouchers let you rent from a private landlord instead of living in CRHA property, but the landlord must pass inspection and accept the voucher program.
  • CRHA maintains waiting lists for both public housing and Section 8 vouchers, and the time to reach the top varies depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available.
  • You can contact CRHA by phone, mail, or in person at their main office to ask about current openings, waiting list status, or maintenance issues.

Public housing units and how rent works

CRHA owns and operates public housing apartments and townhouses throughout Chesapeake. These are not subsidized private rentals — CRHA owns the buildings and employs the maintenance staff. If you live in CRHA public housing, your lease is with CRHA, and your rent is calculated based on your household income and size, not on what the unit could rent for on the open market.

Rent in public housing is typically set at 30 percent of your adjusted gross monthly income, though CRHA may set it lower or offer a minimum rent if your income is very low. This means your rent payment changes if your income changes — you report income changes to CRHA, and they recalculate your rent. You pay CRHA directly, usually by check or automatic payment, and CRHA uses that money to maintain the buildings and pay staff.

Public housing units are inspected regularly by CRHA staff and must meet housing quality standards. If something breaks — a pipe, a window, a stove — you report it to CRHA maintenance, and they are required to fix it. You do not hire your own contractor or deduct repairs from rent.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

CRHA also administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. A voucher is a subsidy that lets you rent from a private landlord — not from CRHA — and CRHA pays part of your rent directly to the landlord. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent, usually 25 to 40 percent of your income.

To use a Section 8 voucher, you must find a landlord willing to accept the program. Not all landlords do — some refuse because of paperwork, inspection requirements, or other reasons. Once you find a willing landlord, CRHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards. If it passes, CRHA signs a contract with the landlord, and you sign a lease. CRHA then pays the landlord their share of the rent each month.

If you move to a different unit or a different city, you can request a voucher transfer, though CRHA must approve the new address and the new landlord must pass inspection. If you lose your job or your income drops, you report it to CRHA and your rent portion is recalculated — you do not lose the voucher because your circumstances changed.

Waiting lists and how long they take

CRHA maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and for Section 8 vouchers. Both lists are typically long — the time from process to move-in can range from several months to several years, depending on how many people are on the list and how many units or vouchers become available. CRHA does not publish exact wait times because they change as people move, leave the program, or are removed from the list.

You can ask CRHA directly about your position on the waiting list and what to expect. Some people are prioritized — for example, people experiencing homelessness or people with disabilities may move up the list faster. CRHA can tell you whether you may have access to for priority and what that means for your timeline.

While you are on the waiting list, you can be contacted for an interview where CRHA verifies your income, household composition, and other information. You must respond to interview notices — if you miss an interview without a good reason, CRHA may remove you from the list. Once you reach the top of the list and a unit or voucher is available, CRHA will contact you with details about the property or the voucher amount.

Income limits and who can move in

CRHA has income limits for public housing and Section 8 vouchers. These limits are set by the federal government and vary by household size. A household of one person has a lower limit than a household of four. If your income is above the limit, you cannot move into public housing or receive a new voucher, though you may be able to stay if you were already in the program when your income rose.

CRHA also screens for other factors — criminal history, eviction history, and whether you owe money to a previous landlord or to CRHA itself. A criminal conviction or an eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but CRHA considers the nature and timing of the offense or eviction. You can ask CRHA what their specific screening policy is and whether your history will affect your chances.

You must provide documents to prove your income, identity, and household composition — typically a lease, pay stubs, tax returns, birth certificates, and Social Security cards. CRHA will tell you exactly what documents to bring to your interview.

Maintenance, repairs, and lease violations

If you live in CRHA public housing and something needs repair, you contact CRHA maintenance directly. You can usually call a maintenance line or submit a work order online or in person. CRHA is required to make repairs within a certain timeframe — emergency repairs like no heat or no water must be addressed quickly, while non-emergency repairs may take longer. If CRHA does not make repairs in a reasonable time, you have the right to file a complaint with CRHA management or with the city.

If you damage the unit beyond normal wear and tear, CRHA can charge you for repairs when you move out. Normal wear and tear — scuffed walls, worn carpet, minor marks — is CRHA's responsibility. Holes in walls, broken fixtures you caused, or damage from neglect is yours.

If you violate your lease — by not paying rent, causing a disturbance, or breaking house rules — CRHA can start eviction proceedings. CRHA must give you notice and a chance to respond before filing in court. If you are evicted from CRHA housing, you lose your lease and may be removed from the waiting list for future housing.

How to contact CRHA and what to bring

The Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority has a main office in Chesapeake where you can visit in person, call, or mail documents. You can reach them by phone to ask about waiting list status, current openings, or to report a maintenance issue. If you are explore for public housing or a Section 8 voucher, CRHA will tell you what documents to bring and when to come in for an interview.

Bring a photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs or tax returns), proof of household composition (birth certificates or Social Security cards), and any documents related to your housing history. If you are currently homeless or living in a shelter, bring whatever identification you have — CRHA can work with incomplete documentation in some cases.

If you have questions about rent calculations, lease terms, or your rights as a CRHA resident, you can also contact a local legal aid organization or tenant rights group in Chesapeake — they can explain your options and help you understand CRHA's policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I make too much money for public housing?

CRHA has income limits that change each year based on federal guidelines. The limit depends on your household size — a single person has a lower limit than a family of four. Contact CRHA directly with your household size and approximate income, and they can tell you whether you fall within the limit. If you are over the limit, you may still be able to use a Section 8 voucher in some cases.

What happens to my Section 8 voucher if I move out of Chesapeake?

You can request a voucher transfer to another city, but CRHA must approve the move and the new housing authority must have vouchers available. The process takes time and requires the new landlord to pass inspection. If you move without requesting a transfer, you lose the voucher. Contact CRHA before you move to ask about transferring your voucher.

Can I be evicted from public housing if I lose my job?

No. Losing your job does not violate your lease. Your rent will be recalculated based on your new income, which may be lower or zero if you have no income. You must report the job loss to CRHA so they can update your file. You can only be evicted if you fail to pay rent, cause a disturbance, or break other lease terms.

How long does it take to get approved for a Section 8 voucher?

The time depends on how many people are ahead of you on the waiting list and how many vouchers become available. It can range from several months to several years. CRHA can tell you your approximate position on the list, but they cannot may provide a specific date. Once you reach the top and a voucher is available, the approval process itself usually takes a few weeks.

What if my landlord refuses to make repairs in my Section 8 apartment?

Contact CRHA and report the repair issue. CRHA can contact the landlord on your behalf and may withhold payment if the unit does not meet housing quality standards. You can also contact a local tenant rights organization or legal aid for help. Do not withhold rent yourself — that can lead to eviction even in Section 8 housing.