The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an extension for its eviction moratorium through October 3, 2021. The extension is more limited in that it applies to localities with “high” or “substantial” levels of transmission of COVID-19. Given the new requirements, this moratorium is in effect in Fairfax County. According to CDC’s COVID Data Tracker, as of August 9, 2021, Fairfax County is indicated to have a “substantial” transmission level designation.
This order DOES NOT remove a renter’s responsibility pertaining to unpaid rent. If you currently have unpaid rent balances, those balances are still owed. When the moratorium expires, landlords may move to collect on rent balances, assess late fees, and pursue eviction proceedings if balances remain unpaid.
Help Is Available!
The extension of the eviction moratorium provides additional time for renters unable to pay rent to obtain assistance. There are avenues available to help residents pay their rent if they have experienced a loss of income, illness, or other burden that prevented the payment of rent during the pandemic.
Emergency Rental Assistance
Fairfax County is administering relief for renters experiencing a negative financial impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic through the NEW Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance (ERA) program. Through this program you can apply to receive funds to pay delinquent rent or utility payments back to March 13, 2020, and up to three months of future payments to maintain housing stability.
Accessing Emergency Rental Assistance
All residents experiencing financial hardship should call Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. CSP specialists provide assistance in multiple languages and can help link residents to basic needs assistance including housing payments (rent, mortgage, fees, security deposits) and utilities including electric, gas and water. Landlords can also apply on behalf of their tenants through the Landlord Portal.
Eligibility Criteria for Emergency Rental Assistance
If you have experienced a financial hardship either directly or directly due to COVID-19, including but not limited to the following:
- Being laid off.
- Place of employment has closed.
- Reduction in hours of work.
- Loss of spousal/child support.
- Inability to find work due to COVID-19.
- Having to stay home with children due to distance learning/closure of day care or school.
- Increase in expenses due to COVID-19, such as childcare, medical bills, etc.
- Unwilling or unable to participate in previous employment due to the workplace’s high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Should you have any questions regarding your rights and responsibilities under the federal eviction moratorium or other landlord-tenant laws, we encourage you to reach out to Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV). LSNV is located at 10700 Page Avenue, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030. Their telephone number is (703)778-6800. Their website address is: www.lsnv.org. You may also contact your local legal aid program at (866) 534-5234 or www.valegalaid.org/find-legal-help.