Rental Relief for the Elderly and Disabled

Our office accepts applications on March 2, 2026, through May 1, 2026.

Qualifications:

• Applicant or spouse must be 65 years of age or older, or permanently and totally disabled (subject to verification) as of December 31, 2025.
• Applicant paid rents for his/her dwelling within the City of Charlottesville during 2025.
• Dwelling for which the rental relief grant is sought was occupied as of December 31, 2025, as the sole dwelling place of the applicant. 
• Gross combined income in 2025 from all sources for the applicant, applicants’ spouse, and any relatives in such dwelling shall not exceed $65,000. 
• First $7,500 of income classified as permanent disability compensation for the applicant and applicant’s spouse, if disabled, shall be excluded from the gross income. 
• First $8,500 of income of each relative other than the spouse of such applicant who is living in such dwelling shall be excluded from the gross income. 
• Net combined financial worth of the applicant and applicant’s spouse as of December 31, 2025, cannot exceed $125,000. Net combined financial worth shall include all assets, including equitable interests.
• Amount of the grant, not to exceed $2,000, shall be twenty-five percent (0.25) of the amount determined by subtracting twenty-four percent (0.24) of gross combined income from the lesser of:
  • The actual amount of rent paid; or
  • Fifteen thousand six hundred dollars ($15,600).
• If the applicant was a resident of the city for less than the full grant year, the actual rent paid or maximum rent allowable shall be prorated for the period of actual residency.

Required Documentation:

To support your application, you must attach documentation for the applicant, applicant’s spouse. and relatives. 

• Valid identification (Photo ID),
• Proof of rents paid through December 31, 2025. Documents must include original receipts, or rental statement(s) from landlord that indicates rents paid BY APPLICANT, statement must include Landlord name, address, and phone.
• For proof of disability, if disabled and first-time applicant, must provide one of the following documents:
  • The Social Security Administration Award Letter that shows the date of disability, or from Social Security, Railroad Retirement, Veterans Administration, 
  • A letter from two licensed physicians in Virginia that certifies the disability and date of disability as defined in Section 30-96.
• Income documentation for applicant, applicant’s spouse, any relatives residing in the home for Tax Year 2025 including:

Options to apply:

• To apply in-person, visit our office at 605 E Main Street Room A-130. Walk-in Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
• To apply by U.S. Mail or email: 
  1. Download fillable PDF application.
  2. Complete and print the form,
  3. Sign it in front of a notary,
  4. Submit your application form along with any required documentation indicated above.
     • Mail to:

       Commissioner of the Revenue
       PO Box 2964
       Charlottesville, VA 22902.

     • Or go to Secure Document Submission Form charlottesville.gov/CorSecureUpload 
       • Follow instructions 
       • Choose Rental Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Program under Purpose of Upload
       • Upload your documentation and submit.

If you have questions, contact us by email at taxrelief@charlottesville.gov or call (434) 970-3160.

For More Information:

Refer to Section 25-56 et. seq. of the Charlottesville City Code.