Actions expand violence prevention, substance use recovery, and housing initiatives

Richmond, VA - On Monday, January 12, Mayor Avula highlighted ordinances passed by City Council to strengthen a Thriving Richmond agenda.

Thriving Families, Thriving Neighborhoods

Mayor Avula praised City Council's passage of ORD. 2025-275, legislation he introduced to reinforce the City of Richmond's commitment to safe, thriving communities. The ordinance enables the creation of two targeted programs under the Department of Justice Services (DJS). Safer Communities investments include:

• Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention: Expanding prevention, survivor support, and community education through a partnership with the YWCA
• Positive Youth Development: Strengthening high quality out-of-school time (OST) programming and mentorship in partnership with NextUp

These investments are part of the City's Gun Violence and Intervention Framework, which takes a coordinated, cross-sector approach to addressing the root cause of violence and promoting long-term safety and stability.

"Reducing violence in Richmond means investing in what works and in what matters most," said Greg Hopkins, Interim Director, Department of Justice Services. "Addressing the root causes of harm and creating opportunities for mentorship, education, and healing are essential to breaking cycles of violence and building neighborhoods where everyone can thrive."

Addressing Substance Use Disorders and Strengthening Recovery

Mayor Avula also celebrated City Council's approval of a package of ordinances he introduced focused on addressing substance use disorders and strengthen recovery efforts. The City of Richmond has been awarded $619,950 through Operation STOP!, a Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority grant designed to reduce overdoses and save lives through immediate education and prevention efforts. The funding will:

• Deliver harm reduction supplies, recovery support, and trauma-informed counseling for families impacted by opioid use (through $594,950 in sub-grants) and
• Allow for program and impact evaluation to guide long-term strategies for sustained success (through $25,000 in partnership with VCU's Wright Center)

In addition to local initiatives, Richmond is collaborating with Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover counties on regional efforts that expand treatment access and strengthen recovery support. These cooperative efforts include:

• Increasing access to treatment and transportation for adolescents with substance use disorders: Chesterfield Recovery Academy
• Peer recovery specialists supporting individuals after EMS or law enforcement contact: Project Recover

"Every person in Richmond deserves the chance to thrive. Through operation STOP! and our regional partnerships, we're not only addressing the immediate crisis of overdoses but also building a foundation for long-term health and recovery. These investments in prevention, harm reduction, and recovery services ensure that Richmonders who have struggled with substance use disorders have the support they need to recover and thrive," said Anna Jones, City of Richmond's Opioid Response Strategist.

Protecting Homes and Neighborhoods: Preventing Displacement 

Mayor Avula applauded City Council for advancing two measures to strengthen housing stability and safeguard Richmond's historic character.

• RES. 2025-R043 directs the Chief Administrative Officer to lead a comprehensive review of City programs that mitigate displacement, supporting families in remaining in the communities they love
• ORD. 2025-265 amends City Code §30-930.9 to establish civil penalties for the unauthorized demolition or relocation of historic landmarks, as authorized by Virginia law.

"These actions are critical steps toward protecting both the people and places that define Richmond," said Mayor Danny Avula. "I'm grateful to City Council for their thoughtful leadership. Together, we will build a city where families can stay rooted and neighborhoods can thrive for generations to come."

The City of Richmond Department of Social Services (DSS) announces that its offices, now located at 300 E. Franklin Street, will reopen to the public beginning Thursday, January 15, 2026.

The new location brings together all five branches of the agency under one roof, allowing for greater staff efficiency and improved coordination of services for residents.

“This new space allows us to better serve the Richmond community by streamlining operations and creating a more collaborative environment for our staff,” said Shunda Giles, Director of the Department of Social Services. “By housing our teams together, we are strengthening our ability to connect residents to the resources and support they need in a more timely and effective way.”

Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald emphasized the broader impact of the move on service delivery across the city. “This transition reflects the City’s commitment to improving access and the overall customer experience for residents seeking essential services,” Donald said. “By investing in this centralized, modern workspace, DSS will be better positioned to meet the needs of Richmonders.”

In addition to in-person services, many DSS programs and resources remain available online and by phone. Residents are encouraged to visit www.rva.gov/social-services or call (804) 646-7212 with questions or for additional information.

Posted January 9, 2025

~Your voice matters: Join the conversation Jan. 14 from 5 - 7 p.m. at Main Street Station~ 

Richmond, VA – The City of Richmond, in partnership with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and Drive Smart Virginia, is launching a community-led seat belt safety initiative to further reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities. The effort builds on Richmond’s ongoing Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries through safer streets, safer speeds, and safer behaviors using education, engineering, and enforcement.  

This initiative will launch with a series of free, public community meetings to increase seat belt safety and usage. The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street.

Subsequent meetings will also be held at Main Street Station on the following dates: January 28, February 5, and February 19. The meetings will provide residents with a forum to share their experiences, ideas, and recommendations for improving seat belt use. Feedback from the meetings will help ensure messaging reflects community needs. 

"Improving seat belt use is a critical part of keeping people safe, but our Vision Zero work goes beyond cars to protect everyone on our streets," said Mayor Danny Avula. "Seat belts remain one of the simplest ways to save lives, yet unbelted occupants account for 65% of local crash deaths, and too many residents remain unbuckled. Through partnerships with IIHS, Drive Smart Virginia, and the community, we're working to prevent pedestrian deaths and make every street safer for all."

“Community engagement is at the heart of sustainable behavior change,” said Kristin Pettway, Executive Director for Drive Smart Virginia. “By incorporating residents’ perspectives, Richmond is setting a model for how cities can protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.” 

“Richmond’s work demonstrates the power of pairing research-based strategies with community input,” said David Harkey, President of IIHS. “Engaging residents in traffic safety initiatives helps ensure interventions are tailored to local needs.” 

The community is encouraged to attend, share their voice, bring a neighbor or friend, and register for the meeting at [email protected] to help increase seat belt safety across Richmond. 

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 225 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 issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station, the RVA Bike Share program. 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

 The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research and evaluation and through education of consumers, policymakers, and safety professionals.

DRIVE SMART Virginia is a non-profit organization charged with raising awareness and changing behavior to improve the safety of the roadways of the Commonwealth. We have endeavored to improve the lives of all Virginians through our public information and education initiatives. Founded in 1995, the organization is led by a diverse board representing safety advocates, the insurance industry and law enforcement.

Posted January 9, 2026

Richmond, VA – Due to forecasted weather, The City of Richmond’s Bring One for Chipper E-Cycle Event, originally scheduled for January 10, has been rescheduled to Saturday, January 17 to protect the safety of residents, volunteers, staff, and vendors.

NEW Event Details: 

Who:   The Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW), The Clean City Commission, and the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA)

What: 17th Annual Richmond Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree Recycling E-Cycle Event

When: Saturday, January 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (New Date)

Where: 1710 Robin Hood Road (23220)

  Northeast corner of Robin Hood Road & North Arthur Ashe Boulevard

The city offers this event to promote responsible recycling, sustainability and to help reduce waste in our community. Richmond residents can recycle their Christmas trees, shred sensitive documents, and drop off old electronics – all in one easy drive-through location with curbside assistance from our volunteers. Proper recycling helps save natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and diverts waste from landfills. It also helps keep city waterways, streams, and rivers clean.

 This free event is available to city residents – proof of residency is required. No commercial or business items will be accepted. 

Note: some fees apply to recycling electronics (go to rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission and click on the tab for recycling to get the list of fees listed in the table section). 

Christmas Tree Recycling Options | no charge (please remove all lights and decorations):

Trees will be chipped into mulch onsite and used in local parks, gardens, and for landscapes. Free mulch will be available.

• Tree Drop-off: Residents can drop off their trees at the following locations or use the curbside option:

1. 1710 Robin Hood Road on the day of the event or prior to the event
   
   • If dropping off prior to the recycling event, please place the tree in the designated area
   • Note: No trees will be accepted at 1710 Robin Hood Road after the event ends at 2 p.m. on January 17, 2026.
2. East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC), located at 3800 East Richmond Road
   
   • The ERRCC hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday
3. Curbside Collection Instructions – handled by the department’s bulk and brush team:
   
   • Please place your Christmas tree (with no lights or decorations) beside your recycle cart and it will be picked up on your regular recycle collection day (or during the week) by the bulk and brush team (not by CVWMA).
   • The team will collect Christmas trees curbside after through Thursday, January 15.
   • Note: All trees collected curbside or dropped off at the ERRCC will be recycled. 

This recycling event also includes:

Paper Shredding – no charge

Securely shred personal documents to prevent identity theft and keep sensitive information safe. 

• Up to five (5) paper bags or boxes of paper documents
• Remove staples and clips
• Paper shredded onsite

Electronics – various fees apply

Electronics will be collected for environmentally responsible disposal.

• Computer systems (hard drive or CPU) and accessories (cables, wires, keyboards, mice, speakers, etc.) VCRs, camcorders, stereos, and all phones
• Televisions, computer monitors and printers
• Other electronic equipment (almost anything with a plug - see the online list for clarification)
• To get fees and the full list of electronics go to:
  • www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission and click on the tab for recycling

For more information on DPW, please visit us online at rva.gov/public-works or email us at [email protected] 

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA or on Instagram at RVACleanCityCommission 

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 225 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 issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station, the RVA Bike Share program. 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

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond and the Partnership for Housing Affordability (PHA) are proud to announce that Highland Grove, a 253-unit mixed-income community in Richmond's Northside, has received $2.5 million in funding from the Virginia Workforce Housing Investment Program, administered by Virginia Housing. The award will support the construction of 53 affordable, for-sale homes at Highland Grove for mortgage-ready households earning between 80 to 120 percent of Area Median Income. project:HOMES, the Better Housing Coalition, Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, and the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust will construct and sell the homes to income-qualified buyers.

"This $2.5 million award builds on the strong momentum behind the Highland Grove development and the many partnerships which have turned it into reality," said Mayor Danny Avula. "By continuing to invest in mixed-income housing, we're committing to a future where all of our residents can realize a path to homeownership for generations to come. We have a long way to go, but achievements like this are critical in laying a strong foundation."

The development of Highland Grove began in 2012 with the construction of 128 rental units consisting of apartments and townhomes. The homeownership phase of the project broke ground in 2024 and includes a total of 125 for-sale homes including detached single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes-60 homes designated affordable for 80% AMI and 120% AMI buyers and 65 market-rate units constructed by private sector builder Eagle Construction. This mixed-income approach provides a more equitable housing model and meets a need for attainable homeownership options. The Better Housing Coalition serves as the master developer of Highland Grove and is responsible for the community's infrastructure improvements including sidewalks, streets, utilities, lighting, and landscaping.

"This award is a paragon example of collaboration," said Jovan Burton, Executive Director of the Partnership for Housing Affordability. "By bringing the city, non-profit partners, and state partners together, we will be able to provide greater housing opportunities to Richmond families. Highland Grove really does stand as a model for how mixed-income housing communities can erase inequities in housing attainment."

The Workforce Housing Investment Program was launched in 2024 by Governor Glenn Youngkin. The Program is aimed specifically to help catalyze investment in housing for middle-income workers in communities experiencing job growth. Increasing the supply of affordable housing in the City of Richmond is essential to expanding economic development growth. These new, for-sale homes will allow Richmond to safeguard the city's ability to grow inclusively, support essential workers, and increase the return on investment that housing delivers to the local economy.

Site work on the second phase of Highland Grove has already started. The City of Richmond has extended water, sewer, and other utilities for each home site. Construction of new homes is underway with homes being delivered as early as Q2 2026 and a project completion date of December 2027.

About Partnership for Housing Affordability 

The Partnership for Housing Affordability envisions a coordinated, regional approach to affordable housing that is supported by the citizens and elected leadership of the jurisdictions that make up the Richmond metropolitan area. With the commitment of needed resources and the adoption of necessary policies by local leaders, Richmond residents can live in vibrant and sustainable communities, characterized by a breadth of diversity among the residents, a variety of affordable housing choices, the integration of needed services, efficient use of the public infrastructure, and strategic preservation of natural resources. The Partnership for Housing Affordability was founded in 2004 as a philanthropic extension of the Richmond Association of REALTORS® in response to housing needs in our communities, we champion policies, developments, and programs for quality affordable housing in the Richmond region. For more information, please visit https://pharva.com/.