Seniors: Free Money!

If you are a senior age 62 or older, we have a $100 gift card incentive to thank you for fighting the spread of COVID-19 and to offer financial relief. Applications will be accepted May 8, 2023 – May 22, 2023.

How do I qualify?

  • Must be age 62 or older (born on or before May 22, 1961)
  • Must be a City of Portsmouth resident.
  • Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (No Boosters Needed)

How do I Apply?

  • Complete an application and return it to the City of Portsmouth for approval.
  • Applications will be located at the following:

Social Services,
1701 High St, Portsmouth, VA 23704

Portsmouth Senior Station
3500 Clifford St, Portsmouth, VA 23707

Portsmouth City Hall
801 Crawford St, Portsmouth, VA 23704

City of Portsmouth website: www.portsmouthva.gov/seniorgiftcard 

Any City of Portsmouth Library – The Library Staff will assist as follows:

Print a hard copy of the form:  https://www.portsmouthva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14067/senior-application

Where do I return my application?

Social Services Drop Box at 1701 High Street

Portsmouth City Hall at 801 Crawford Street – 6th Floor – City Manager’s Office

Any City of Portsmouth Library

Apply directly online at www.portsmouthva.gov/seniorgiftcard

Postal mail: 

Attention: City Manager’s Office ARPA $100 Gift Card
P O Box 820
Portsmouth VA 23705

How do I get my gift card?

Once approved, the City Manager’s office will contact you with the time and convenient location for pickup.

Seniors must provide proof of Portsmouth residency, a copy of their vaccine card, and a copy of their state-issued identification card or driver’s license.

Each Qualified Senior will receive a $100 gift card.  Fees may apply.

For additional Information, please contact Stacy Porter at:  Stacy.porter@portsmouthva.gov

Click the following link for a message about this program from Interim City Manager Mimi Terry:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxRDVTbaXhE

Thanks.

Bernadette L. Hogge
City Ombudsman
City of Portsmouth
801 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA  23704

(757) 393-5143 Ext. 4129
hoggeb@portsmouthva.gov

Virginia Mortgage Relief Program

Virginia Mortgage Relief Program Hosts Application Assistance Outreach Event

Program Staff Onsite in Portsmouth, VA

The Virginia Mortgage Relief Program, or VMRP, was established through the 2021 American Rescue Plan to address mortgage and other qualified home ownership-related delinquencies to avoid default, foreclosure, or displacement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

VMRP will be in Portsmouth, see details below:

Location:
Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority
3116 South Street
Portsmouth, VA 23707

Date:            Thursday, October 27, 2022

Time:            12 – 5 p.m.

During the event, case management and outreach staff from the Virginia Mortgage Relief Program will be on-site to help homeowners, who need assistance with mortgage and other housing-related costs due to the pandemic, learn more about the program and complete their applications.

If you have a constituent who would like application assistance, please ask them to schedule an appointment to meet with a case manager at this event by contacting the VMRP Call Center at 833-687-8677, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Walk-ins for application support at the outreach event will be accepted as availability permits. Note: Applicants with a completed application on file with the VMRP do not need to attend.

Those interested in applying for program assistance at the event can view a list of required documents and program eligibility requirements can be found, HERE

Program Background

VMRP provides assistance of up to $40,000 for qualified homeowners as long as funding is available.

For qualified homeowners, the VMRP offers financial assistance for:

  • Delinquent mortgage payments, mortgage reinstatement or other housing payments related to a period of forbearance, delinquency, or default;
  • Delinquent homeowner’s flood and mortgage insurance;
  • Delinquent homeowner’s association (HOA) fees or liens and other fees and charges; and/or
  • Delinquent property taxes.

This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number HAF-0003 awarded to the Commonwealth of Virginia by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Constitution Water and Sewer Rehab Newsletter

The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Utilities will soon begin replacement of the existing water and sanitary sewer mains along a portion of Constitution Avenue from approximately North Street to Ann Street.  In general, this work will be confined to excavation of the roadway for installation of the pipes, manholes, and various connections.  Upon completion of the utility work, this portion of Constitution Avenue will be repaved.

The project was awarded to Gaston Brothers with an anticipated mobilization at the beginning of May.  The total construction time for this project is two months.  Unfortunately, construction of this magnitude can be disruptive.  However, the City and Gaston Brothers will work very hard to minimize disruptions.  Construction activity will be limited to Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.  However, there will be a maximum of three scheduled water service interruptions as the contractor replaces the water lines.  This work will occur between the hours of midnight and 6 am and you will be notified in advance.

Click the link below to see the attached PDF for information on entrance and exit plans for Shea Terrace traffic.

YARD SALE – May 3rd

Shea Terrace Annual Neighborhood Yard Sale


Just in time for spring cleaning, the Shea Terrace Annual Community Yard Sale will be held Saturday May 3rd from 9AM to 1PM.  Participating homes are requested to donate $5.00 to the civic league to off set the cost of advertising in the Virginian Pilot.  In return, paid participants will have their homes placed on a map that will be handed out at the Constitution Ave. entrance. This will direct traffic your way.

Payment must be made by 5PM May 1st to be placed on the map. This will give us time to create the map with the participating homes on it and get several hundred duplicated.  We have handed out over 200 in the past.

We are also seeking volunteers to hand out maps for a period of one to four hours between 9AM and 1PM.  To arrange for yard sale participant map placement payment, schedule volunteer map hand out time, or answer yard sale questions please call:

Nancy Lamartin at 393-2293 or Pat Pfeiffer at 478-7165.  Please leave a message if we are not in.