What the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority does

The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) is the public housing agency for Norfolk, Virginia. It owns and manages public housing units, administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), and runs other affordable housing programs in the city. NRHA is a separate government entity from the City of Norfolk, though it receives public funding and operates under federal housing law.

NRHA serves as the landlord for public housing residents and as the voucher administrator for people who rent from private landlords using Section 8 vouchers. The agency also manages waiting lists, conducts inspections, sets rent amounts based on income, and handles lease enforcement for the properties it owns.

If you live in public housing in Norfolk or hold a Section 8 voucher issued by NRHA, your lease and rent rules come from NRHA policy, not from a private landlord's terms. This means your rights and responsibilities are defined by federal public housing law and NRHA's local policies, which differ from standard Virginia tenant law in important ways.

Key Takeaways

  • NRHA manages public housing units and Section 8 vouchers in Norfolk; it is the landlord for public housing and the voucher administrator for Section 8 tenants.
  • Rent in NRHA public housing is set as a percentage of your household income, not by market rate, and typically ranges from 25 to 40 percent of gross income.
  • Public housing leases include house rules and maintenance standards that differ from private rental agreements, and NRHA can terminate a lease for lease violations or criminal activity.
  • Section 8 voucher holders must find a private landlord willing to accept the voucher, and NRHA must inspect the unit and approve the lease before rent payments begin.
  • You can contact NRHA directly to ask about waiting lists, report maintenance issues, request a lease review, or dispute a rent calculation or lease violation notice.

Public housing rent and income limits

In NRHA public housing, your rent is calculated as a percentage of your household's gross monthly income. The percentage is set by federal law and NRHA policy; it is not negotiated. Most public housing agencies charge between 25 and 40 percent of gross income, though the exact amount depends on your household composition and NRHA's current rent policy.

To determine your rent, NRHA will ask for proof of income from all household members — pay stubs, tax returns, Social Security statements, unemployment benefits, child support, or other income sources. If your income changes, you must report it to NRHA, and your rent will be recalculated. If you do not report income changes, NRHA may discover them during a recertification and charge you back rent.

NRHA also sets income limits for initial admission to public housing. These limits vary by household size and change each year based on the area median income. You can contact NRHA to ask what the current income limit is for your household size, or you can check the NRHA website or call their main office.

Section 8 voucher program and how it works

The Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly called Section 8, allows you to rent from a private landlord and pay a portion of the rent while NRHA pays the rest directly to the landlord. The amount you pay is still based on your income (typically 25 to 40 percent of gross income), and NRHA pays the difference up to a maximum amount called the payment standard.

To use a Section 8 voucher in Norfolk, you must find a private landlord who is willing to accept the voucher. Not all landlords participate; some refuse vouchers or have restrictions on where vouchers can be used. Once you find a unit, NRHA must inspect it to may support it meets housing quality standards. The inspection covers things like working plumbing, heat, electrical systems, and structural safety. If the unit fails, the landlord must make repairs before NRHA will approve the lease.

After inspection and approval, NRHA signs a contract with the landlord and begins paying the landlord's portion of the rent. You pay your share directly to the landlord each month. If you stop paying your share or violate the lease, the landlord can evict you, and NRHA may terminate your voucher.

How to contact NRHA and what services they provide

NRHA's main office is located in Norfolk and handles applications, rent questions, maintenance requests, lease disputes, and voucher administration. You can reach NRHA by phone, mail, or in person. The agency's website lists office hours, phone numbers, and the address.

Common reasons to contact NRHA include reporting a maintenance problem in your unit, requesting a rent recalculation if your income has changed, asking about the waiting list for public housing or vouchers, disputing a lease violation notice, or asking questions about your lease terms. NRHA staff can explain your rights and responsibilities under your lease and tell you what steps to take if you have a disagreement with the agency.

If you are on the waiting list for public housing or a voucher, NRHA can tell you your position on the list and whether your process is still active. Waiting lists can be very long in Norfolk, and some lists are closed periodically when they reach a certain size.

Lease violations and termination in public housing

NRHA can terminate your public housing lease if you violate the terms of your lease or engage in criminal activity. Common lease violations include non-payment of rent, unauthorized occupants, damage to the unit beyond normal wear, or violation of house rules such as noise or pet restrictions. Criminal activity includes drug-related offenses, violent crimes, or other felonies, whether or not you are convicted.

If NRHA believes you have violated your lease, it must give you written notice. The notice will state the violation, the date it occurred, and the date by which you must cure (fix) the violation if it is curable. Non-payment of rent is usually curable if you pay what you owe within a set time frame. Other violations, such as criminal activity or repeated lease violations, may not be curable, and NRHA can move directly to eviction.

You have the right to a hearing before NRHA terminates your lease for most violations. The hearing is conducted by an impartial hearing officer, and you can present evidence and witnesses. If you lose the hearing, NRHA will file for eviction in Norfolk District Court. You can then defend the eviction case in court, though the court will generally defer to NRHA's lease termination decision if the hearing was conducted fairly.

Maintenance and repairs in NRHA housing

NRHA is responsible for maintaining the structure, systems, and common areas of public housing units. This includes the roof, walls, plumbing, electrical systems, heating, and appliances that came with the unit. You are responsible for keeping the unit clean and reporting problems promptly.

To request a repair, contact NRHA's maintenance department by phone or in person. Describe the problem and provide your unit number and address. NRHA will schedule a time to inspect and repair the problem. Emergency repairs, such as no heat in winter or a burst pipe, should be reported when ready and may be handled the same day or within 24 hours.

If NRHA does not make a repair within a reasonable time, you can file a complaint with NRHA management or contact a legal aid organization in Norfolk. You cannot withhold rent or make repairs yourself and deduct the cost from rent in public housing, as you might in a private rental. Public housing law does not allow rent withholding as a remedy.

Recertification and income reporting

NRHA requires all public housing and Section 8 residents to recertify their income and household composition once per year. During recertification, you must provide updated proof of income for all household members, report any changes in household size, and confirm that all occupants are still living in the unit.

Recertification is used to update your rent calculation. If your income has increased, your rent will go up. If your income has decreased, your rent will go down. If you do not complete recertification on time, NRHA may terminate your lease or voucher. You will receive a notice telling you when to recertify and what documents to bring.

If your income or household changes between recertifications, you should report the change to NRHA as soon as possible. Failing to report changes can result in you owing back rent or NRHA discovering the change during the next recertification and charging you retroactively.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for public housing or Section 8 in Norfolk?

Waiting lists in Norfolk are typically several years long, though the exact length changes based on how many units become available and how many people are on the list. NRHA can tell you your position when you call or visit. Some waiting lists are closed periodically when they become too large.

Can NRHA evict me without a hearing?

NRHA must provide a hearing before terminating your lease for most violations. The only exception is if you engage in criminal activity that poses an when ready threat to safety; in that case, NRHA can terminate when ready, but you still have the right to a hearing afterward. After lease termination, NRHA files for eviction in court, and you can defend the case there.

What happens if I cannot pay my rent in NRHA housing?

Contact NRHA when ready and explain your situation. NRHA may allow you to pay in installments or defer payment temporarily, though this depends on NRHA policy and your circumstances. If you do not pay or reach an agreement, NRHA can file for eviction. Some emergency rental information programs in Norfolk may help with back rent; contact 211 or your local community action agency to ask.

Can I have someone else live in my unit without telling NRHA?

No. Your lease specifies who is authorized to live in the unit, and unauthorized occupants are a lease violation. If NRHA discovers unauthorized occupants, it can issue a notice to cure or terminate your lease. You must report any permanent household changes to NRHA during recertification or when the change occurs.

What if I disagree with my rent calculation?

Contact NRHA and ask for a review of your rent. Bring documentation of your income and household composition. If you still disagree after NRHA's review, you can request a hearing. The hearing officer will review NRHA's calculation and determine whether it is correct based on your actual income and household size.