What the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Does

The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) is the public housing agency for Richmond, Virginia. It owns and manages public housing units, administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, and runs several other information programs for low-income residents. RRHA is a separate government body from the City of Richmond, though it receives some city funding and operates under state and federal rules.

If you live in Richmond and need affordable housing or rental information, RRHA is usually the first place to contact. The agency does not set its own income limits or benefit amounts — those come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). But RRHA decides who gets on waiting lists, processes applications, and manages the money once you are approved.

RRHA operates from a central office and manages properties across Richmond. The agency also partners with community organizations to help residents understand their options and complete paperwork.

Key Takeaways

  • RRHA runs public housing units and Section 8 vouchers, which are two separate programs with different waiting lists and may be able to access rules.
  • Most RRHA programs require you to have a household income below 50 to 80 percent of the area median income, depending on the program.
  • Waiting lists for both public housing and Section 8 vouchers are typically closed, but you can call RRHA to find out when they reopen.
  • You must provide proof of income, residency, and citizenship or legal immigration status to be considered for any RRHA program.
  • RRHA also manages emergency rental information and other temporary aid programs, which have different rules and may be open when the main waiting lists are not.

Public Housing vs. Section 8 Vouchers: The Two Main Programs

RRHA manages two distinct housing programs, and it is important to understand the difference because they have separate waiting lists and different rules. Public housing means RRHA owns the building and you pay rent directly to the authority. Section 8 vouchers mean you find your own apartment in the private market, and the voucher pays a portion of the rent to your landlord.

Public housing units are scattered across Richmond — some are single-family homes, some are apartment complexes. Rent in public housing is set at 30 percent of your household income, so it changes if your income changes. Section 8 vouchers let you choose where to live, as long as the landlord accepts the voucher and the rent is not above the program's payment standard for that area.

Both programs have income limits. For public housing, your household income must typically be at or below 50 percent of the area median income when you move in. For Section 8, the limit is usually 50 percent of area median income as well, though some vouchers go to households up to 80 percent. The area median income for Richmond changes each year, so call RRHA to confirm the current dollar amount.

Waiting lists for both programs are usually closed. RRHA opens them periodically — sometimes for a few weeks, sometimes for a few months — then closes them again. There is no way to know when the next opening will be, so contact RRHA directly or check their website regularly if you want to get on the list.

What Documents You Need to Provide

RRHA requires the same core documents for both public housing and Section 8 applications. You will need to prove your income, your identity, where you live, and your immigration status. Having these documents ready before you explore speeds up the process.

Income verification is the most important part. Bring recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the past two years, and a letter from your employer stating your job title and pay rate. If you receive benefits — unemployment, Social Security, TANF, SNAP — bring the award letter or most recent statement. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns and a profit-and-loss statement. If you have no income, bring a statement explaining that.

Identity and residency require a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and proof that you live in Richmond. A utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency with your current address works. Immigration status requires a birth certificate or passport if you are a U.S. citizen, or a green card, work permit, or other immigration document if you are not. RRHA cannot help undocumented immigrants, but it can help people with certain visa statuses — ask when you call.

You will also need to list all household members, their dates of birth, and their relationship to you. If anyone in your household receives Social Security or disability benefits, bring those award letters.

How Long the Process Takes and What Happens Next

Once you submit your process, RRHA reviews it for completeness and accuracy. If something is missing, they will contact you and ask for it. This first review usually takes two to four weeks.

If your process is complete and you meet the income and citizenship requirements, RRHA will schedule you for an in-person interview. At the interview, a staff member will go through your process with you, ask questions about your household, and verify the information you provided. Bring all your original documents to the interview — copies are not enough.

After the interview, RRHA conducts a background check. They look at your criminal history, your rental history (whether you paid rent on time and took care of the unit), and whether you owe money to RRHA or another housing authority. This check takes two to four weeks. If you have a criminal conviction or an eviction, you may still be approved, but RRHA will consider the details — how long ago it was, what it was for, and whether you have shown change since then.

If you are approved, you go on the waiting list. For public housing, you wait until a unit becomes available in a building that matches your family size. For Section 8, you wait until funding is available to issue a new voucher. Wait times vary widely — some people wait months, others wait years. RRHA will contact you when it is your turn.

Income Limits and Rent Calculations

RRHA uses area median income (AMI) to set income limits. AMI is the middle income for a family of four in the Richmond area. Each year HUD publishes new AMI figures, and RRHA uses those to set limits for the coming year.

For public housing, your household income must be at or below 50 percent of AMI when you move in. Once you are living in public housing, your income can go above that limit and you can stay — RRHA will not evict you because you earned more money. But your rent will increase if your income increases, because rent is always 30 percent of your income.

For Section 8 vouchers, the income limit is also typically 50 percent of AMI, though some vouchers are reserved for households up to 80 percent of AMI. Unlike public housing, if your income rises above the limit after you receive a voucher, you may lose the voucher when it comes time to renew — RRHA will not renew it for a household over the income limit. Ask about this rule when you explore.

In public housing, rent is always 30 percent of your gross household income. If your income is $1,000 per month, your rent is $300. If your income rises to $1,500, your rent rises to $450. RRHA recalculates rent once a year, usually in the spring, based on your income from the past 12 months.

Other Programs RRHA Administers

Beyond public housing and Section 8 vouchers, RRHA manages several smaller programs that may be open when the main waiting lists are closed. Emergency rental information helps people who are behind on rent or facing eviction. This program is usually funded by the city or state and runs for a set period — often one or two years — then ends. When it is open, it moves faster than public housing or Section 8.

RRHA also administers project-based vouchers, which are Section 8 vouchers tied to specific buildings rather than portable to any apartment. These vouchers sometimes have shorter waiting lists than regular Section 8. Ask RRHA whether project-based vouchers are open in your area.

Some RRHA properties participate in mixed-income programs, where public housing units are mixed with market-rate units in the same building. These programs sometimes have different rules or shorter waiting lists. Call RRHA to ask which properties have mixed-income units and whether they are accepting applications.

How to Contact RRHA and Get More Information

RRHA's main office is located in Richmond. You can call their main line to ask about waiting list status, process requirements, or which programs are currently open. The phone number and office hours are on RRHA's website.

You can also visit the office in person to pick up an process or ask questions. Bring your documents with you if you want to explore the same day. Some RRHA partner organizations in the community also help residents fill out applications and understand the process — ask RRHA for a list of partners near you.

RRHA's website has information about current programs, waiting list status, and links to process forms. If the waiting list is closed, the website will say so. Check back periodically if you want to know when it reopens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on the waiting list for both public housing and Section 8 at the same time?

Yes. The two programs have separate waiting lists, and you can be on both. If you are approved for one program before the other, you can accept it and stay on the other waiting list, or you can turn it down and wait for the program you prefer. Tell RRHA which you would rather have if you are approved for both.

What happens if I have an eviction on my record?

RRHA will consider it, but it does not automatically disqualify you. They look at how long ago it was, why it happened, and whether you have paid rent on time since then. If the eviction was recent and you still owe money, approval is less likely. If it was years ago and you have a clean rental record since, you have a better chance.

Do I have to live in Richmond to get RRHA housing?

You must live in Richmond or have a job in Richmond to be considered. RRHA prioritizes people who already live in the city. If you live outside Richmond but work there, bring a letter from your employer and proof of employment.

What if my income is above the limit but I still need help?

RRHA programs are only for households below the income limit. If your income is too high, you may be able to find affordable housing through private landlords, nonprofits that work with moderate-income households, or state programs that serve people above the federal income limit. Call 211 for referrals to other resources in Richmond.

How often does RRHA open the waiting list?

There is no set schedule. RRHA opens the waiting list when they have capacity to process new applications, which depends on staffing and funding. It might be open for a few weeks, then closed for months or years. Call RRHA or check their website regularly if you want to know the current status.