Posted March 24, 2025

Today, the City of Richmond's Department of Housing and Community Development released a study on the current status of the City's manufactured housing communities. The study, requested by City Council, was conducted and prepared by project:HOMES, a regional firm that owns and operates manufactured housing communities and provides repair and support services for those communities. The study assesses Richmond's manufactured housing communities and outlines financial and operational challenges, including maintenance of aging homes, deteriorating infrastructure, and the high cost of unit replacement.

The study highlights the unique challenges facing these communities, particularly when it comes to financing. Manufactured homes in these communities are titled as vehicles rather than real estate, which makes them ineligible for traditional home equity loans or mortgages. The limited financing options that are available typically require a 20% down payment with high interest rates which makes it difficult for most residents to purchase new units. The average annual income for families living in Richmond's manufactured home communities is less than $38,000.

To address resident needs moving forward, the report recommends:

• While it is unlikely that the City can establish long-term affordability solutions with existing park landowners, the City can direct short-term grant investments toward owner-occupants through repairs and support services. However, this is not a sustainable solution.

• Continuing zoning and building code enforcement with careful consideration of impacts on current residents

• Ensuring any new manufactured housing developments are mission- or resident-owned to sustain affordability

• Not approving additional land for manufactured housing communities until better financing options become available

project:HOMES operates a manufactured home repair program funded by the City of Richmond. This program completed 20 home repair projects in FY2024, with 30 in progress or planned for FY2025 and 50 planned for FY2026. Common repairs include window replacements, flooring structure improvements, roof repairs, and addressing electrical hazards.

The More You Know

• Seven of the communities are located in the 8th District and one is in the 9th District.

• The eight manufactured home communities in Richmond host 419 occupied manufactured homes and approximately 1,257 residents.

• These homes are, on average, 49 years old.

• Families living in these homes have an average annual income of $37,856 and a household size of three people.

• A little less than half of residents are children (43%).

• Cost to replace a manufactured home averages $120,000.

About project:HOMES: project:HOMES is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that takes an all-encompassing approach to housing. We challenge the misconceptions of what defines affordable housing through the production and preservation of high-quality affordable homes, large-scale home repairs, and improved accessibility and energy efficiency for existing homes.

Posted on Friday, April 04, 2025

La Ciudad de Richmond publica un estudio sobre hogares prefabricados

Richmond, Virginia — El Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario de la Ciudad de Richmond publicó hoy un estudio sobre el estado actual de los vecindarios con hogares prefabricados de la ciudad. Este estudio, que fue solicitado por el Concejo Municipal, fue preparado y realizado por project:HOMES, una firma regional que posee y administra vecindarios con hogares prefabricados (en su mayoría remolques o "tráileres") y brinda servicios de reparación y apoyo a dichos vecindarios. El estudio evalúa las comunidades de Richmond que tienen viviendas prefabricadas y detalla sus desafíos económicos y operativos, que incluyen el mantenimiento de hogares envejecidos, infraestructura deteriorada y el alto costo de reemplazar cada vivienda.

Este estudio también resalta los desafíos particulares a los que se enfrentan estas comunidades, particularmente en lo que se refiere a su financiación: las viviendas prefabricadas de estos vecindarios son tituladas como vehículos y no como bienes raíces, lo que las hace inelegibles para préstamos garantizados o hipotecas; debido a esto, las opciones de financiación son limitadas y usualmente requieren una cuota inicial de 20% con altos intereses, lo que dificulta que la mayoría de residentes puedan comprar unidades nuevas. Además, el ingreso promedio anual de las familias que viven en estas comunidades de viviendas prefabricadas es inferior a $38 000.

Para resolver las necesidades de estos habitantes de ahora en adelante, el reporte recomienda:

• Aunque es poco probable que la Ciudad pueda crear soluciones asequibles a largo plazo con los propietarios de los terrenos, sí es posible que realice inversiones en subsidios para los ocupantes y propietarios de estas viviendas, mediante servicios de reparación y apoyo; sin embargo, esta no es una solución sostenible.

• Continuar aplicando los códigos de construcción y zonificación, teniendo muy en cuenta sus efectos en los residentes actuales de dichas viviendas.

• Asegurarse de que cualquier conjunto nuevo de viviendas de este tipo sea de propiedad de sus habitantes o de la misma comunidad, con el fin de mantener la asequibilidad de las viviendas.

• Detener la aprobación de nuevos lotes para este tipo de comunidades hasta que existan mejores opciones de financiación.

project:HOMES opera un programa de reparación de viviendas prefabricadas, financiado por la Ciudad de Richmond. Este programa completó 20 proyectos de reparación de vivienda en el año fiscal 2024, tiene otros 30 planeados o en progreso para el año fiscal 2025 y otros 50 para el año fiscal 2026; las reparaciones más comunes incluyen: reemplazo de ventanas, mejoras a las estructuras de los pisos, reparaciones en los techos y solución de riesgos eléctricos.

Información adicional

• 7 de estas comunidades están ubicadas en el distrito 8 y otra más está en el distrito 9.

• Las 8 comunidades de hogares prefabricados de Richmond albergan a 419 viviendas prefabricadas y aproximadamente 1257 habitantes.

• Estas viviendas tienen una antigüedad promedio de 49 años.

• Las familias que viven en estos hogares tienen un tamaño promedio de tres personas y unos ingresos anuales de $37 856.

• Un poco menos de la mitad de sus habitantes (43%) son menores de edad.

• El costo de reemplazar una vivienda prefabricada ronda los $120 000 en promedio.

Acerca de project:HOMES: project:HOMES es una entidad sin ánimo de lucro 501(c)(3) que tiene una visión integral de la vivienda. Nosotros desafiamos las ideas erróneas de lo que define el concepto de "vivienda asequible" mediante la producción y preservación de hogares asequibles de gran calidad, reparaciones a gran escala de viviendas y mejoras de accesibilidad y eficiencia energética de las viviendas existentes.

Posted March 20, 2025

RICHMOND, VA – Last night, a Dominion Energy system failure created an issue with one of the city’s power substations. The failure created a disruption to the streetlighting system, resulting in an outage. The streetlight outage extends in the following areas:

• North at Laburnum Avenue, North Avenue, and E. Ladies Mile Road to
• South on Valley Road and I-64, to the
• East on the Henrico county and City of Richmond line, then
• West to Chamberlayne Avenue, Brookland Park Avenue, W. Norwood Avenue, and Richmond-Henrico Turnpike

Our team is actively working on restoring service as quickly and safely as possible. At this time, we do not have an estimated time of restoration. We understand the importance of this issue and are committed to providing updates as necessary.

Thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation.

Please send questions to AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

Updates will be posted on the city’s social media and website at rva.gov

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk, and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

Posted March 19, 2025

Amy Popovich brings over a decade of experience leading strategic, community-driven initiatives in Richmond designed to support and empower residents.

Today, the City of Richmond announced the appointment of Amy Popovich as the next Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services. Amy brings over a decade of experience leading strategic, community-driven public health initiatives in Richmond. Previously, as Nurse Manager for the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, she oversaw a team of over 100 clinical staff and spearheaded programs that bridged the gap between public health and community needs. From leading COVID-19 response efforts to launching initiatives in school health, newcomer services, and chronic disease prevention, her work is rooted in collaboration, advocacy, and impact.

"I am so excited for Amy to add her incredible depth of compassion, collaboration, and expertise to the City of Richmond," said Mayor Danny Avula. "I've seen firsthand what she can accomplish and the level of servant leadership she brings to a team. I can't think of a better person to step in, hit the ground running, and lead our Human Services portfolio."

The City's Human Services portfolio includes the Office of Community Wealth Building; the Department of Justice Services; the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services; the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities; the Department of Social Services; and the Richmond Public Library. Together, these agencies enhance economic stability and improve health outcomes and the overall wellbeing of Richmonders across all stages of life.

"I'm very familiar with the work Amy has done throughout her career, especially here in the 7th District. The departments that make up the City's Human Services portfolio serve residents all across Richmond, including some of the most vulnerable, and I have no doubt Amy will build on her experience and thrive in her new role as DCAO for Human Services," said City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille.

Amy succeeds departing DCAO Traci DeShazor, who has led the Human Services portfolio since 2023. DeShazor oversaw the portfolio during a critical period, including the development of the Southside Community Center, the establishment of Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, the opening of the Community Resource Center, and an expansion and deepening of the City's shelter response.

Amy will start at the City on April 28. Director of Social Services Shunda Giles will serve as Acting DCAO in the interim.

Support for Amy

 "I can't think of a more qualified and collaborative community leader to be the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services at the City of Richmond than Amy. I have known and collaborated with her for 15 years. She's amazing and will do an excellent job." - Karen Legato, Executive Director, Health Brigade

"I am looking forward to working with Amy Popovich in her role as Richmond's DCAO for Human Services. Her experience managing regional public health programs coupled with her dedication to establishing innovative partnerships to address socioeconomic issues encountered by residents in Central Virginia will provide a strong foundation for this role. Amy is a servant leader whose quest to put people first has helped her excel throughout her career." - Sheryl Garland, Chief of Health Impact, VCU Health System

"Over her decades-long career, Amy has proven that there is no one solution to tackling public health issues. She knows how to draw on the strengths of a community and listen to residents to ensure that a diversity of needs can be addressed across our City. Her experience in crisis, collaboration, and coordinating asset-based community networks is a step forward for our citizens - especially those who are ready for economic mobility and want access to resources to ensure a safe and thriving life in Richmond." - Rupa Murthy, CEO, YWCA Richmond

"I am excited for the City and the region to have Amy in this role. We've worked together for years in her previous role, and I look forward to us continuing to work to serve the needs of vulnerable communities. Amy understands the power of collective impact and knows that we are stronger and better when we collaborate to solve complex issues in the region." - Monica Smith-Callahan, Deputy County Manager for Community Affairs, Henrico County

"Amy is an exceptional leader and a true force for good. Her new position will allow her to have a tremendous impact on improving the lives of all Richmonders." - Rob Winn, Director, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

About Amy Popovich: With a passion for community health and a commitment to advancing equitable healthcare access, Amy has spent over 15 years leading innovative public health initiatives in Richmond, VA. As Nurse Manager for the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, she oversaw a team of over 100 clinical staff and spearheaded programs that bridged the gap between public health and community needs. From leading COVID-19 response efforts to launching initiatives in school health, newcomer services, and chronic disease prevention, her work will continue to be rooted in collaboration, advocacy, and impact.

A strategic leader and systems thinker, Amy has successfully managed multi-million-dollar budgets, cultivated cross-sector partnerships, and co-founded the Richmond Henrico Public Health Foundation to enhance public health funding and sustainability. In 2011, in partnership with local philanthropy, she launched a Community Health Worker (CHW) initiative in Richmond. Through her leadership at the Virginia Department of Health, this effort has expanded statewide, leading to the creation of a statewide CHW certification program and securing $3.2 million in annual state funding.

Recognized with the YWCA Outstanding Women's Award for Health & Science and the American Public Health Nurses Association Award of Merit, she is dedicated to shaping the future of community health through evidence-based, people-centered approaches.

Posted March 18, 2025

The program will provide grants to small businesses significantly impacted by January’s water emergency. 

Applications are now open for the Small Business Recovery Grant Fund. Administered by the Metropolitan Business League (MBL), the program will provide grants to small businesses significantly impacted by January’s water emergency. Applications will close on March 28, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. 

Businesses can learn more about the program, including eligibility requirements, on the MBL’s website. The City of Richmond Office of Minority Business Development is offering technical assistance to businesses that need support applying for the program. Please contact Lisette Johnson at lisette.johnson@rva.gov to schedule a technical assistance appointment. 

About the Small Business Recovery Grant Fund: The Small Business Water Recovery Grant Fund provides financial assistance to small businesses significantly impacted by the January 2025 water outage in Richmond, VA. The program is a public-private partnership administered by the MBL in collaboration with Bridging Virginia (a Community Development Financial Institution), seeded with a total initial investment of $500,000 provided by the City of Richmond Economic Development Authority, Dominion Energy, and Altria. More information about the fund can be found on thembl.org. 

Pledges to continue to release severance details on an annual basis. 

Statement from Mayor Danny Avula:

In July of 2017, City Council passed ORD. 2017-071, which delineated terms of severance in the City's Pay Ordinance, including the requirement that severance only be paid pursuant to a separation agreement. Below you will find the list of severance payments from 2017.

When a City employee signs a separation agreement under the current policy, both the employee and the City of Richmond agree not to disclose the existence of the agreement. In the spirit of the promises made to these employees, I've decided not to release their names.

In the future, we commit to releasing severances provided by the City on an annual basis.