County to Accept Applications for Housing Assistance Payments

The Prince William County Office of Housing and Community Development, or OHCD, will be accepting applications for the Emergency Housing Assistance Program II, also known as Subsistence Payments, beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16, running through 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. 

The Emergency Housing Assistance Program II, or EHAP II, provides one-time or short-term financial assistance for up to six consecutive payments. Any arrearage payments must be paid first and count as one of the six payments.  

“The reopening of EHAP II offers limited financial assistance to eligible households impacted by COVID,” said OHCD Director Joan Duckett. “This support can help prevent eviction, foreclosure and utility loss, and help prevent homelessness.” 

Arrearage payments owed prior to March 1, 2020, are not eligible. 

The Emergency Housing Assistance Program II, or EHAP II, is funding from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Funds, or CDBG-CV, and comes through the CARES Act, which is offered to eligible households experiencing COVID related financial housing hardships.   

Funding for the program is limited, and OHCD can assist approximately 20 new applicants. However, applying does not guarantee assistance.  

Approved assistance payments will be paid directly to the mortgage company, service provider landlord, owner, homeowner association agency and applicable utility providers. 

EHAP II eligibility is determined by the following: 

• Households must currently have arrearages in mortgage, rent, HOA and/or utility payments. A household is considered individuals related by blood, marriage, adoption, or unrelated residing in the same housing unit. 

• The household’s income, assets and circumstances for all individuals, persons, or families currently residing together must meet all program requirements. 

• The household (including all household members) cannot have received any housing or utility assistance from any other source. 

• All persons, including minors, currently residing together and other people anticipated to occupy the housing unit for the EHAP II must be listed on the application. 

• Applicants must provide a declaration statement that current housing arrearages are due to COVID.  

• Gross household income may not exceed 80 percent of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Median Family Income, adjusted for family size. As of April 1, 2024, the Median Family Income for the Washington Metropolitan Area is $154,700. 

Interested applicants can submit their application online at https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/PRINCEWILLIAMCOUNTYVA/Participant. 

For those unable to apply electronically or who prefer a paper application, call 703-792-7538 or email [email protected] with your contact information to receive an application by mail.