Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney urged Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday to develop a relief plan for renters and homeowners struggling to make payments during the pandemic.
In a letter, Stoney suggested Northam create a statewide mortgage relief program, and to partner with banks to make it happen.
He highlighted other states’ efforts, like California and New Jersey’s 90-day grace periods for mortgage payments. Stoney also called on the governor to work with landlords on ways to offer the same assistance for renters, including a moratorium on late fees and evictions.
Northam said statewide efforts are in the works to support low-income households. In a Q&A this afternoon, the governor announced that the commonwealth is working alongside the Virginia Housing Development Authority on a mortgage deferment program for low-income homeowners.
Currently, the Virginia Supreme Court has implemented a judicial emergency, suspending evictions for renters, among other proceedings, until the end of April. Northam said there’s also a 60 day eviction freeze for housing choice voucher-holders.