Eviction Prevention Guidance for Renters
Office of Community Services Rental Assistance Program
The Office of Community Services (OCS) provides rental assistance to eligible, low-income persons facing a housing crisis. The goal is to help stabilize the household to prevent evictions and homelessness. To be screened for OCS services, please contact the Department of Community and Human Services Customer Call Center by either calling 703.746.5700, texting 703.346.5599, or coming in-person at 4850 Mark Center Dr.
Legal Resources for Renters
To learn about the eviction process in Virginia, please visit the Virginia Poverty Law Center’s Eviction Frequently Asked Questions and Process Handout, or consider contacting one of the following agencies:
If you are experiencing other landlord-tenant issues, please call the Office of Housing at 703.746.4990.
The Alexandria Community Resources Card offers information on additional services available to support individuals experiencing a housing crisis.
Eviction Prevention Task Force
The Eviction Prevention Task Force is a multi-agency partnership composed of representatives from the Department of Community and Human Services, Office of Housing, Sheriff’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Christ Church, and Emergency Financial Providers. The group is collecting and sharing data and working to understand the local eviction landscape, identifying and resolving gaps in eviction prevention services, and engaging stakeholders to address the crisis. The goals of the Task Force include reducing the number of evictions in Alexandria, diminishing the impact of eviction on residents and developing and implementing a long-term eviction prevention strategy that addresses the needs of residents and property owners.
The Task Force welcomes input and participation from the community, property owners, and landlords in ongoing projects and initiatives, including outreach to at-risk households and identifying renters in need of assistance. For more information or to get involved, email evictionprevention@alexandriava.gov.
Eviction Diversion Program
A New Resource to Help Tenants and Landlords Resolve Eviction Cases
The City of Alexandria is pleased to announce that the Alexandria General District Court has adopted an Eviction Diversion Program, effective July 1, 2026, pursuant to Virginia Code § 55.1-1262 as amended by the 2026 Virginia General Assembly. Alexandria is joining a small but growing number of localities implementing the program.
The Eviction Diversion Program gives tenants who are facing eviction for nonpayment of rent an opportunity to pay past-due amounts on a structured, court-ordered payment plan while remaining in their homes. If the tenant successfully completes the plan, the eviction case is dismissed.
Key Features of the Program
- Tenants who appear at their initial court date and meet eligibility requirements may request referral to the Program.
- An initial payment of at least 10% of the total amount owed is required at the first court hearing.
- The remaining balance is paid in three equal installments of 30% over the following three months.
- Tenants must also continue to pay their regular monthly rent throughout the plan.
- Cases are dismissed upon successful completion of the payment plan.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, tenants must:
- Appear in court at the first court hearing and ask the Judge to be referred to the Eviction Diversion Program at your hearing;
- Pay at least 10% of the total amount due to your landlord at the hearing;
- Have income or funds sufficient to complete the payment plan;
- Not owe outstanding rent under a payment plan from the last 12 months;
- Not have defaulted on a rent payment plan in the last 12 months; and
- Not have participated in an eviction diversion program in the last 12 months.
Resources
The Alexandria General District Court's informational sheet on the Program is available here. Required court forms are available at the Virginia Courts website. The full text of Virginia Code § 55.1-1262 as amended is available here.
For information on emergency rental assistance and other resources, Alexandria residents may contact the Department of Community and Human Services by coming in person at 4850 Mark Center Drive, or call 703.746.5700.
Contact
For questions about the Program's court procedures, contact the Alexandria General District Court Clerk's Office.
Address: 520 King St #201, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703.746.4030
Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Website: alexandriava.gov/ClerkofCourt
Eviction Data
The Office of Performance Analytics tracks eviction trends in the City of Alexandria. Data is updated weekly.