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Save the date: Arlington Housing Grants Program waitlist opens Oct. 5

By Arlington County Department of Human Services
Image from Save the date: Arlington Housing Grants Program waitlist opens Oct. 5

Households interested in housing assistance may have an opportunity to join the Housing Grants Program waitlist when registration opens this October.

The Housing Grants Program helps eligible households maintain housing stability through rental assistance in Arlington County’s housing market. Earlier this year, Arlington County announced changes designed to support the long-term sustainability of the program, including the transition to a waitlist process for new admissions.

The Waitlist Opens Soon
Beginning Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, at 8 a.m. ET, eligible households can pre-apply for Arlington County’s Housing Grants Program waitlist. The registration period will remain open until Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. During that time, all completed applications will have an equal opportunity to be selected for the final waitlist.

Apply Online
Interested households can submit their application online through the Housing Grants application portal. There is no fee to apply. Arlington County will never charge applicants to submit an application or improve chance of selection.

Interested households are encouraged to visit the County’s Housing Grants Waitlist webpage for step-by-step instructions, eligibility information, frequently asked questions and additional application resources.

One of the most important things applicants should know is that the process is not first-come, first-served. Whether a household applies on the first day of registration or the last, every completed application submitted during the registration period will have the same chance of selection.

After the registration period closes on Oct. 19, Arlington County will use a randomized lottery process to select 500 households for placement on the Housing Grants Program waitlist. Lottery results and notifications to applying households are expected no later than Dec. 30, 2026.

Help Is Available
Arlington County is committed to ensuring all eligible households have an opportunity to participate in the pre-application process.

Language assistance, disability accommodations, and other accessibility supports are available. Individuals who need accommodations or assistance applying should contact the Housing Grants Program as early as possible at [email protected] or 703-228-1350, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Throughout the registration period, interested households can access technical assistance and application support at the locations below. Our technical assistance sessions offer one-on-one support to help with the pre-application process. Technical assistance sessions are free and open to all. No appointments required. Visit any of our locations during our hours of operation to get help. Information about technical assistance locations, schedules and available services is available on the Housing Grants Waitlist webpage.

Technical Assistance Sites and Hours:

Department of Human Services Resource Center (Sequoia Plaza 1, 2100 Washington Blvd.)

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Sunday: Closed

Central Library (1015 North Quincy St.)

  • Monday through Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Friday through Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shirlington Library (4200 Campbell Ave.)

  • Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Tuesday: Noon to 8 p.m.

  • Friday through Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Courthouse Library (2100 Clarendon Blvd.)

  • Monday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Tuesday: Noon to 8 p.m.

  • Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Sunday: Closed

For households interested in housing assistance: mark your calendars, gather your information and pre-apply between Oct. 5 and Oct. 19. Arlington County’s Housing Grants Program waitlist is designed to provide a fair, transparent and equitable process for connecting eligible individuals with housing support when resources become available.

Learn More
Additional information about the Housing Grants Program is available via:

  • Phone: 703-228-1350 (available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Apply Online

About the Author

  • Arlington County Department of Human Services - Author Avatar

    The Arlington County Department of Human Services provides support for every stage of life. Serving more than 58,000 residents annually through more than 140 programs, DHS helps individuals, families and communities thrive through services that support health, housing stability, food security, financial well-being and self-sufficiency. The Department works in partnership with community organizations, including the Arlington Food Security Coalition, to help ensure all Arlington residents have access to the resources they need to succeed. To learn more about Human Services, please visit https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/DHS.