If English is not your first language, and you believe you need an interpreter, or you need to have documents translated from English to your native language to enable you to have a clearer understanding of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation's program policies and/or procedures, please call (757) 385-5750.

​Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

An individual with Limited English Proficiency is someone who, as a result of national origin, does not speak English as their primary language and who has a limited ability to speak, read, write, or understand English.

It is the policy of the department that no person shall be denied meaningful access to programs, program information, or services because of their limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English.

Language Assistance Plan (LAP)

The purpose of the plan is to ensure meaningful access to Housing and Neighborhood Preservation program information and services for residents of the City of Virginia Beach that have limited proficiency with the English language. The following services are available:

• Interpretation is defined as a spoken or visual explanation provided to enable two or more individuals who do not speak the same language to communicate with each other.
  • Housing and Neighborhood Preservation will provide free language assistance services, including certified interpreter and translator services to LEP persons who are a member of each language group that constitutes 5% of the City’s population of persons 5 years and older or 1,000 persons, whichever is less, and who are limited in English proficiency.
• Translation is defined as a written version of a document that is provided in a language different than that of the original document.
  • Housing and Neighborhood Preservation will take reasonable steps to provide written translations of vital documents that describe program rules and instructions or are otherwise crucial in gaining access to programs and services, including applications for housing. Vital documents will be translated for each language group that constitutes 5% of the City’s population 5 years and older or 1,000 persons, whichever is less.