FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Patricia Borns
(340) 227-4975
pborns@vihousing.org

V.I. Housing Authority helps residents who are behind on their rent
avoid eviction
VIHA’s Helping Hands program extends eviction moratorium to August 31st 
for Virgin Islands public housing residents
 
As July 24th approaches – the last day of a national moratorium on evictions -- the Virgin Islands
Housing Authority is encouraging its residents to enter into a repayment plan if they are behind
on their rent, and is giving them an additional month to do so.
 
The moratorium has been extended to August 31st for public housing residents, VIHA officials
said.
 
“Over half of our residents are working people who may have lost income or jobs because of
COVID-19, and therefore fell behind,” VIHA Executive Director Robert Graham explained. “We
will help them stay in good standing if they’re willing to work with us.”
 
In March, Congress imposed a 120-day moratorium on evictions under the CARES Act to keep
renters and mortgage holders afloat as unemployment rates soared. But while meant to offer
relief, the legislation did not intend that rents or mortgages would be forgiven. At some point –
July 24th for many – rents and mortgages must be paid.
 
Anticipating this moment, VIHA has been urging residents to declare any reductions in their
income and discuss repayment agreements for rents owed, according to Jimmy Farmer, the
Director of Asset Management.
 
“Although the national eviction moratorium is expiring soon, the impact of the pandemic on
Virgin Islands residents is not,” Farmer said. “We are asking those who are behind to come to
us and enter into a favorable repayment agreement: to repay a small amount each month in
addition to their monthly rent until they have caught up.”
 
With over $859,000 accumulated in outstanding rent, Farmer launched a campaign called
Helping Hands to make repayments easier with smaller monthly installments, longer repayment
periods as needed, and adjustments in cases where VIHA should have made timely repairs but
did not.
 
A non-working sink, shower or toilet, for example, has a monetary value that VIHA applies as a
percentage deduction to the rent based on its repair valuation guide. Missing or broken
windows, doors or stairs are other examples of deductions that can be made if the damage is
not repaired.
 
“Families have an understandable concern about repairs not done timely, and we want to do
our part,” Farmer said.
 
Over 156 people have signed or are in the process of signing repayment agreements. Another
350 residents need to also, he said.
 
A repayment agreement is a written, signed contract spelling out the amount of rent you owe,
how much you will pay each month, and for how long. VIHA residents will remain in good
standing as long as they make an agreement and stick to it, Farmer said.
 
In some cases the pandemic has driven people into public housing who are not on the lease as
family members give shelter to struggling relatives or friends, he noted. The Helping Hands
program will offer an olive branch to them as well.  
 
“We want to keep families together. Come in and talk to us. We have options to help you make
it right,” he said.
 
Around the country, 19 to 23 million Americans who live in renter households could be evicted
by September 30th due to unpaid rent, according to an Aspen Institute report. Some states have
responded with extended moratoriums to avoid a housing crisis.
 
VIHA decided on the August 31st extension because its residents are some of the hardest hit by
the economic gut punch of COVID-19.
 
Whether you are in public or private housing, the CARES Act requires that even when its
moratorium ends, an eviction notice must give you at least 30 days to vacate the property.  
 
If you do receive an eviction notice and feel you are being wrongfully served, VIHA offers a
grievance process for public housing residents. A legal aid agency like Legal Services of the
Virgin Islands may also be able to help. 
 
For more information about VIHA’s rent repayment program, Helping Hands, call (340) 777-
VIHA (8442) on St. Thomas or (340) 778-VIHA (8442) on St. Croix. Legal Services of the Virgin
Islands may be reached at their COVID hotlines at (340) 718-2626 or (340) 774-6720.