Am I eligible for these programs?
Anyone can apply! To be eligible for assistance, you must meet the following criteria:
Be under the very-low income limit, which is 50% of the area median income
Be a citizen or have eligible immigrant status
Meet our screening standards – Call 540-946-9230 for more information about our background checks
Address any prior debts to any subsidized housing program
How do I apply?
Come to our office on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday (9am to 11am or 1pm to 3pm)
Bring photo identification (driver’s license, ID card, etc), social security card, and birth certificate for all adults that will be in the household, and social security card and birth certificate for any children.
Meet with a Housing Technician, who will get answers to all pertinent questions and collect all applicable information. Provide all verifications within a timely manner.
Please feel free to download our Instructions for Applicants document linked below to use as a convenient checklist for your visit.
How long will it take?
Be patient! Nothing in housing (subsidized or unsubsidized) happens quickly!
Once you’re on the waiting list, your application will be sorted by preference points and date and time of application.
Preference points are awarded for the following categories:
Residency: Current residents of the City of Waynesboro, or those who work in the City of Waynesboro
Working Family: Families whose head of household, co-head, or spouse is employed or is receiving payments from the Social Security Administration due to an inability to work
Graduate of or Participant in a Job Training Program
Veterans: Families whose head of household, co-head, or spouse served in the active military, naval, or air service and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
Substandard Housing: Families living in substandard conditions or homeless
Involuntarily Displaced: Families who are having to move due to no fault of their own, like natural disasters, domestic violence, or choices by the housing owner.
Rent Burden: Families paying more than 50% of gross monthly income toward rent
Lead Based Paint Poisoning Preference: Families with a member undergoing treatment for lead-based paint poisoning.
Due to this prioritization, every time someone new applies for the waiting list, there is a possibility that the entire waiting list will change. Therefore, we cannot tell you where you are on the waiting list or give you anything more than an estimate on how long it will take for you to be admitted to one of our housing programs.
During the time you are on the waiting list, it is your responsibility to report any changes in your initial situation and circumstances. All changes must be reported within 10 days of the change and verified accordingly. All applications will be updated by a Housing Technician every 90 days.
If we cannot contact you using the contact information you have provided, your application will be placed in an inactive status.
When your name comes to the top of the list, you will be notified by the Manager of the program for which you have applied. If we are unable to contact you using the contact information you have provided, your application will be placed in an inactive status and we will proceed to the next name on the list.
What if I need help now?
The WRHA does not have emergency housing or assistance available. In order to access services such as these, please call the Valley Housing Crisis Hotline at 540-213-7347 or complete their online intake form.
Other Local Waynesboro Resources:
New Directions Center - provides support and advocacy to those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry (WARM) - provides a cold weather shelter and transitional housing to prevent homelessness.
The Valley Mission - provides a safe place to shelter in an emergency situation.
