How many people live in subsidized housing in Richmond city, VA?
Data updated August 21, 2024
About 18,400 people in 2023, or about 2.1 people per unit. Subsidized housing options vary by location, ranging from high-rise or garden-style apartments to single-family dwellings, duplexes, and more. On average, 2023 residents have lived in their units for eight years and one month.
In 2023
18.4K
people lived in subsidized housing in Richmond city, VA
In 2023
8%
of the Richmond city, VA population lived in subsidized housing
Federally subsidized rental housing began with 1937’s US Housing Act, which created the United States Housing Authority and provided financial assistance to state and local governments for housing low-income people. Since then, the government has provided housing assistance to low-income renters through programs overseen by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
In Richmond city, 8.0% of people live in subsidized housing versus the Virginia average of 2.3%.
Share of population living in subsidized housing in 2023, by county
People who live in subsidized housing share one thing: incomes low enough to qualify for housing assistance. In Richmond city, VA, HUD classified 97% of households in subsidized housing as very low income and 85% as extremely low income. The average household in subsidized housing earns $14,549 in annual income. Across all subsidized housing, 76% of households earn less than $20,000.
36% of households with subsidies earned $10K–$15K in annual income.
Richmond city, VA, 2023
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Renters in subsidized housing in Richmond city, VA, earn income from different sources. Welfare is the main income source for 2% of households. According to HUD and the Census Bureau, “welfare” includes the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, general assistance, or emergency assistance payments. Another 26% of households earn the majority of their income through wages, salaries, and business income. Finally, for 68% of households living in subsidized housing, the majority of income comes from other sources, a broad category that includes Social Security payments; insurance benefits; pensions; interest or dividends; and payments in lieu of salary like worker’s compensation, severance, unemployment, or disability. The remaining 4% is unaccounted for in the data.
Welfare assistance programs were the primary source of income for 2% of households in subsidized housing.
Richmond city, VA, 2023
Households living in subsidized housing contribute to their rent. In 2023, households living in subsidized housing in Richmond city, VA paid average monthly rent of $345, which translates to an average of $4,140 per year, or 28.46% of the average household’s annual income. HUD contributed $871 per household per month, on average.
Keep exploring
- How does the government support people with Section 8 housing? - The Department of Housing and Urban Development offers two rental assistance programs for low-income Americans under Section 8 housing — Project-Based Rental Assistance and Housing Choice Vouchers.
- What does living at the poverty line look like? - Inflation affects families at different income levels unevenly as the poorest Americans pay a larger share of their incomes on food and housing.
- How did the COVID-19 pandemic change America, according to new Census data? - The percentage of people working from home tripled between 2019 and 2021, while housing got more expensive relative to income.
- How many vacant homes are there in the US? - Over 15 million American homes — approximately 10% of the country’s housing inventory — were vacant in 2024.
Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
