City of Alexandria Launches 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, or by visiting this website.

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