A pilot program aimed at reducing evictions in Gloucester and Mathews counties, as well as several Peninsula communities, is one of seven projects across Virginia to receive more than $2.9 million in funding, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday.

The Peninsula Eviction Reduction Pilot, or PERP, will receive $850,143 in Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot funding for the project which will serve James City, New Kent and York counties, and the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and Williamsburg, in addition to Gloucester and Mathews.

In this pilot program, the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula will provide eviction prevention and diversion services as well as a court navigator program, specifically targeting the cities of Hampton and Newport News, which are both priority areas with high rates of eviction, a release stated.

Funding will support UWVP’s increased capacity to address evictions by strengthening the network of housing solutions through partnerships with schoo...