Churches That Help with Rent in Richmond, VA

Several churches and interfaith ministries in Richmond, Virginia, offer emergency rent assistance to help residents avoid eviction and maintain housing stability.

To ensure you receive help as soon as possible, it is recommended that you start by contacting Area Congregations Together in Service (ACTS) or Commonwealth Catholic Charities, as these organizations manage pooled rent assistance funds from dozens of congregations in the Richmond area.

Collective Interfaith Alliances that Help With Rent

ACTS (Area Congregations Together in Service)

Area Congregations Together in Service (ACTS) is a key non-profit organization dedicated to preventing homelessness in the Richmond metropolitan area, supported by over 60 partner churches across various denominations.

How to obtain financial assistance

Closed referral system: You cannot apply directly to ACTS for rent or utility assistance. You must be referred by an active local partner organization.

No walk-ins: Staff only see visitors by appointment. Do not go to the Willow Lawn office without a scheduled meeting.

Where to get a referral for ACTS

To start an application file for ACTS funds, you must first contact regional intake centers:

Housing Resource Line: Call 804-422-5061 or complete an online application via the Partnership for Housing Affordability portal.

2-1-1 Virginia Helpline: Dial 2-1-1 from any phone to request a resource referral from local social services.

Local Department of Social Services: Contact the assigned caseworker in your city or county.

Homeless Connection Line: If you are within 3 days of completely losing your housing, call 804-972-0813 immediately.

Expenses covered by ACTS

Past-due rent: Direct payments to landlords to halt imminent legal eviction proceedings.

Mortgage balances: Structural support for primary homeowners facing a severe financial emergency.

Utility bills: Emergency funds to cover shortfalls and prevent electricity, heating, or gas shut-offs.

MetroCare water assistance: A special water bill assistance program specifically for City of Richmond residents with income at or below 225% of the federal poverty threshold. Call 804-644-2401 and follow the voice prompts to record a message.

Mechanicsville Churches Emergency Functions (MCEF)

Mechanicsville Churches Emergency Functions (MCEF) provides emergency financial assistance for rent and utility payments to local residents facing immediate housing crises.

To request financial assistance, you must submit a formal request via email to Treasurer@4MCEF.com. MCEF processes financial requests digitally; please note that paper applications or unscheduled in-person visits to the distribution center cannot be used to process financial cases.

Eligibility Requirements

Location: You must reside in Mechanicsville (ZIP codes 23111 or 23116) or Studley (ZIP code 23162).

Housing Situation: You must have an official eviction order, a current 5-day “pay-or-quit” notice, or a pending utility disconnection notice.

Restrictions: MCEF does not fund security deposits, future rent, mortgage payments, or private rental agreements made directly with a homeowner for a single room or shared housing.

Frequency Limit: Emergency funding is limited to once every 24 months per household. All approved payments are sent directly to the creditor or landlord, never to the applicant.

How to Submit Your Request

To apply, copy the list below, complete it in full, and email it to Treasurer@4MCEF.com, including your full name in the subject line:

Full Name(s) on Lease/Account:
Physical Address (Mechanicsville, VA):
Zip Code:
Phone Number:
Landlord or Creditor Name:
Eviction or Disconnection Date:
Total Amount Due:

Important safety tip: Do not attach photographs or copies of your lease agreement or legal documents to the initial email. The organization’s email server automatically flags messages with large attachments as spam, which will prevent your request from being received. MCEF will contact your landlord or creditor directly to verify debt details once they receive your form.

MCEF volunteers generally respond to email requests within one business day. Please check your account’s spam folder before submitting a duplicate request. For general inquiries about the organization’s operations or non-financial resources—such as the food pantry or clothing closet at their physical location—you may leave a voicemail on the MCEF hotline at 804-357-4093.

Major Social Services from Faith-based Organizations

Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC)

Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC) operates a dedicated homelessness prevention program that provides emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities to families in the greater Richmond area.

How to apply for rental assistance

Call the initial assessment line: To request emergency funds to prevent eviction, call the central assessment line at 804-648-4177.

Phone assessment process: A representative will conduct an initial eligibility assessment over the phone. Due to high call volume, you may need to leave a detailed voicemail with your contact information.

No walk-in service for financial aid: The CCC Housing Resource Center, located on Oliver Hill Way, does not issue cash, checks, or immediate rental vouchers to walk-ins. All requests for funds must be initiated through the phone assessment process.

Requirements and eligibility criteria

To qualify for emergency rental assistance, applicants generally must meet the following criteria:

At-risk situation: You must provide evidence that you would face immediate homelessness without these funds (for example, an ongoing eviction lawsuit or a 5-day “pay or quit” notice).

Geographic boundaries: Funds are reserved for low-income households residing in the Greater Richmond metropolitan area.

Case management commitment: Recipients must agree to participate in short-term financial counseling to help stabilize their future housing budget.

The Salvation Army of Central Virginia

The Salvation Army of Central Virginia offers short-term emergency financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utility payments to prevent evictions in the Richmond region.

How to apply for rent or mortgage assistance

Monday calling hours: To begin an assessment, you must call the Social Services line at 804-225-7470 on a Monday morning, exactly at 8:30 a.m. Intake staff will conduct a brief telephone assessment to verify if standard program criteria are met.

Online application option: You can also start a digital application by clicking the “Get Help” button on The Salvation Army Central Virginia Assistance Center portal.

By appointment only: Eligible families are assigned a date to visit the downtown family services office. Walk-ins cannot receive rental funds on-site.

Strict eligibility guidelines

Past-due balance requirement: Your rent balance must be at least one full month overdue before the charity can release funds.

Eviction requirement: You must present a formal 5-day “Pay-or-Quit” notice, a court summons for eviction, or a formal foreclosure notice from the lender.

Restriction on additional charges: The Salvation Army covers only the base rent amount. Any associated late fees, legal fees, or court costs must be paid by the tenant out-of-pocket before the final payment check is sent to the landlord.

Excluded expenses: The agency does not fund apartment security deposits, initial moving costs, or emergency hotel accommodation expenses.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul (St. Michael Parish Chapter)

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (St. Michael Parish Chapter) provides direct emergency assistance to individuals and families facing severe financial hardship in the Richmond metropolitan area.

How to request financial assistance

Call the assistance lines: To request emergency financial aid or food bank support, call the dedicated SVdP assistance line at 804-997-4489 or contact the parish assistance line at 804-527-1037 (ext. 131).

Leave a detailed message: Volunteers check the assistance line regularly. You must leave a clear voicemail detailing your current city and zip code, your specific emergency (e.g., eviction, utility shut-off), and a reliable phone number for a return call.

No cash handled on-site: The parish office on Springfield Road does not keep cash on hand or issue immediate emergency checks to walk-in visitors.

Individual Local Church Ministries

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

Offers one-time financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, and fuel costs, in addition to operating a local food bank.

How to apply: Requests must be submitted digitally using the online form available on the Our Lady of Lourdes assistance webpage. The response time is up to 5 business days.

Church Hill Christian Wellness Center

A Baptist church-affiliated community center providing temporary financial crisis assistance and wellness support. Center address: 2011 Fairmount Avenue, Richmond, VA 23223

How to apply: Assistance is strictly limited to residents living within the 23223 zip code. Call 804-329-1701 to inquire about verification requirements.

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

The St. Elizabeth Social Ministry (SECC) meets weekly to review requests for emergency financial assistance from neighborhood families struggling to pay for rent, food, or utilities.

How to request assistance: Applications are reviewed every Wednesday between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. You may send inquiries via email to socialmin@stelizcc.org.

Essential steps before contacting the churches

Gather documentation: Have a copy of your current lease agreement, a photo ID, and proof of household income ready.

Obtain a written notice: Most religious institutions require an official “pay or quit” notice (with a 5-day deadline) or an eviction notice issued by your landlord before emergency funds can be released.

Call 2-1-1: If local church funds are temporarily exhausted, call 2-1-1 from any phone to reach the Virginia 211 helpline and inquire about alternative public rental assistance programs.