Cal. Civ. Code § 55.1-1260
Establishment of Eviction Diversion Program; purpose; goals.
Operative Text
A. There is hereby established the Eviction Diversion Program (the Program). The Program may be implemented by any general district court of the Commonwealth. The purpose of the Program shall be to reduce the number of evictions of low-income persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no eviction diversion court or program shall be established except in conformance with this section. B. The goals of the Program shall include (i) reducing the number of evictions of low-income persons from their residential dwelling units for the failure to pay small amounts of money under the rental agreement, in particular when such persons have experienced an event that adversely affected financial circumstances such as the loss of employment or a medical crisis in their immediate family; (ii) reducing displacement of families from their homes and the resulting adverse consequences to children who are no longer able to remain in the same public school after eviction; (iii) encouraging understanding of eviction-related processes and facilitating the landlord's and tenant's entering into a reasonable payment plan that provides for the landlord to receive full rental payments as contracted for in the rental agreement and for the tenant to have the opportunity to make current such rental payments; and (iv) encouraging tenants to make rental payments in the manner as provided in the rental agreement.
Va. Code § 55.1-1260 establishes Virginia's Eviction Diversion Program, which general district courts across the Commonwealth may choose to implement. The Program is designed to reduce evictions of low-income renters who have fallen behind on relatively small amounts of rent, particularly when a hardship such as job loss or a family medical crisis contributed to the shortfall. It aims to keep families housed and children in their schools by facilitating payment plans that allow landlords to receive the rent owed while giving tenants a structured path to catch up. No eviction diversion court or program in Virginia may operate outside the framework this section establishes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Va. Code § 55.1-1260, landlords who participate in a court that has implemented the Eviction Diversion Program generally engage in a structured process aimed at reaching a payment plan that delivers the full contracted rent over time. Operators familiar with this Program typically come prepared with accurate records of amounts owed so that any negotiated plan reflects the actual balance under the rental agreement. Because the Program is designed to result in full payment rather than a waived debt, participation can offer a path to recovering arrears while avoiding the costs and delays of a completed eviction proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Va. Code § 55.1-1260 gives low-income tenants who are behind on rent—especially those who experienced a hardship like job loss or a medical emergency—access to a court-facilitated process aimed at keeping them housed through a reasonable payment plan. If a general district court in your area has implemented the Eviction Diversion Program, this provision may provide an opportunity to address a nonpayment case before a final eviction order is entered. Tenants who believe they may qualify can look into whether their local general district court participates in the Program and may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization for guidance on how the process works in that court.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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