Funds to be used to support affordable housing projects and to bolster Healthy Homes rehabilitation program 

Richmond, VA – The City of Richmond is proud to announce the allocation of more than $9 million from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) to support the development and preservation of affordable housing in the City. The investment includes $7 million for eight housing projects which will expand access to safe, reliable, and affordable homes for Richmonders as well as $2.2 million to bolster the City’s Healthy Homes Rehabilitation program.  

The Healthy Homes program, launched in 2024, provides grants to qualifying homeowners for repairs to improve the sustainability, health, and affordability of the home. With the additional funds, the program will be able to support more residents throughout the City, keeping Richmonders in their homes and improving the longevity and sustainability of the City’s housing supply. 

“Addressing our housing crisis is not a matter of choosing between development and preservation, but a thoughtful combination of both,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “Our City needs new, affordable units to accommodate a growing population, but it also needs to protect the people and the homes that are already here. This round of funding is a reflection of that important strategy.” 

The eight housing projects were selected from a competitive pool of more than 20 applicants and will create nearly 600 affordable housing units across multiple districts and neighborhoods, moving the needle on both the quality and supply of affordable housing units in the City. 

The funding recipients include: 

“This funding is consistent with Mayor Avula’s stated goals of providing access to quality affordable housing for Richmonders across all income levels” said Director of Housing and Community Development Merrick Malone. “We are providing affordable housing to accommodate our growing population while also preserving homes for our long-term residents who want to remain in the City.” 

Projects were selected based on recommendations from the City’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and were objectively scored based on criteria such as readiness, location, target population, and developer experience and capacity. Projects that met minimum, established thresholds based on these criteria were advanced for consideration and underwriting. Projects which did not were notified, advised on how they might improve their application, and are encouraged to apply for future funding.  

“Housing is front of mind for residents in my district and across the City,” said 6^th District Councilmember and AHTF Board Chair Ellen Robertson. "They are concerned about the housing supply, they are concerned about affordability, they are concerned about getting priced out of a neighborhood they have called home their whole lives. This funding is a small, but important, way that we can start to address those concerns and show our residents that we are not only creating new housing units but working to protect the units that are here.” 

About the Affordable Housing Trust Fund 

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) was established by the City of Richmond in 2004 as part of strategy to work with the nonprofit and for-profit development community in accessing and producing much needed long term affordable housing for (low to moderate income) residents of the City. The AHTF accesses a variety of funds for affordable housing support services and production. Nonprofit and for-profit residential developers can leverage AHTF funds with other private and public affordable housing financing sources to facilitate affordable housing counseling services and production in the City of Richmond. 

Richmond must be a city where every resident should feel safe accessing city services, reporting crimes, and engaging with local government - regardless of immigration status. The recent ICE activity is deeply concerning. It undermines the trust that is essential between law enforcement and the communities they serve. As an immigrant myself, I am extremely mindful of the fear and uncertainty such actions create.

Richmond does not and will not coordinate with ICE on deportation. RPD Chief Edwards and I are in lockstep in our support of local communities, and the Richmond Police Department has not signed a 287(g) agreement with ICE. Our officers are here to protect our neighborhoods, not to enforce federal immigration policies.

Additionally, while RPD relies on License Plate Reader technology to quickly solve major local crimes, they are committed to a transparent and safe use of this data. Flock has a 21-day data retention policy, after which all of the data is deleted. The Richmond Police Department will not share Flock data with other federal agencies and now performs regular audits of accounts to ensure no one has unintentional access.

Here's what we will do:

• We will continue to provide residents with information about their Constitutional rights and direct folks to private law firms and service providers through our Navigation Services and trusted community partners.
• I will continue to do everything within my power to protect and support Richmonders - no matter where they come from, because our strength comes from the diversity, resilience, and contributions of all who call it home.
• Finally, I will commit to meeting with the families of residents detained, to see, first-hand, the impacts on our communities.

The Public Notice, Comment, and Hearing Procedures for Rules and Regulations is under proposal to be adopted. The DPU Director will hold a hearing on August 20, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 730 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219 at which time any person may appear and be heard for or against the adoption of the amendment. Written comments may be provided to Lee Crowell ([email protected]) prior to the hearing.

Public Notice, Comment, and Hearing Procedures for Rules and Regulations

In August, we're highlighting our community engagement specialists! Richmond has City staff dedicated to working closely with neighborhoods and priority populations. As we work to make sure Richmond is a city where everyone can thrive, these staff members understand that some communities need specialized types of support. Whether it's about ensuring that city resources are available in languages other than English, helping the elders among us connect to services, or collaborating with partners to provide access to harm reduction supplies, these staff members are listening to what's needed. Read the full press release about new staff members below, or check out some short videos to learn how we're working to thrive--together . 

• Amy Popovich, DCAO for Human Services, introduces the Thriving Together campaign.
• Anna Jones, Richmond's new Opioid Response Strategist, explains the new Office of Opioid and Substance Response.
• Jacque Hale, Office of Children and Families, discusses educational and play needs during early childhood.
• Karla Ramos says hello from the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement.
• Timika Vincent wants us all to meet the Office of Neighborhood Engagement team.
• Monika Huddleston describes some of the resources offered by the Office of Aging and Disability Services.
• Greg Hopkins shares some of the strategic work the Office of Gun Violence Prevention is taking to reduce firearm injuries and fatalities in our city.
• Aneesah Smith builds bridges as the new Equity and Inclusion Advisor in the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
• Alyson Saylors, Manager of Homeless Services, describes the incredible team dedicated to our neighbors experiencing housing crises. 

Initial Press Release (Thursday, August 7, 2025)

Through Summer 2025, the City of Richmond’s Human Services portfolio has added new staff positions in the area of neighborhood and community engagement. The new hires, some of whom take the lead on newly formed offices within the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), will advance the City’s efforts to work closely for and alongside priority populations and neighborhoods.

The Department of Neighborhood and Community Services plays a critical role in strengthening the fabric of our city by serving as a bridge between local government and the communities it serves. NCS works to foster safe, connected, and empowered neighborhoods by providing access to vital resources, supporting resident-led initiatives, and coordinating community engagement efforts. Whether through neighborhood revitalization programs, youth and senior services, or partnerships with local organizations, the department ensures that all city residents have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. At its core, NCS is about building relationships, uplifting community voices, and creating spaces where every resident feels seen, heard, and supported.

“As we’re focusing on thriving together, we need to partner with communities and in communities both to hear what you all need from the city and to learn from you,” said Amy Popovich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services. “We’re working to hear from you, to encourage you to be involved, to understand what’s happening at the city, and to help us make it better.”  

New offices and staff members include the following:  

• Greg Hopkins leads the newly formed Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
• Anna Jones joins the City as the Opioid Response Strategist for the Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response.  
• Aneesah Smith will begin her tenure as the Equity and LGBTQIA+ Liaison on August 11, 2025.  
• Alyson Saylors has been named Manager of the Office of Homeless Services.

These new arrivals will contribute to ongoing efforts across the City’s Neighborhood Services offices. These include the following:  

• Office of Immigrant and Refugee Experience
• Office of Aging and Disability Services
• Office of Children and Families
• Office of Neighborhood Engagement 

“At NCS, our mission is to meet people where they are—both literally and figuratively,” said Tiffany Ford, Director of the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. “The addition of new staff and offices allows us to deepen our connection to communities and expand our capacity to respond to the unique needs of Richmond’s residents. Whether we’re supporting families, addressing public health crises, or strengthening neighborhood leadership, our goal is always to build relationships rooted in trust, equity, and action. This is how we help make Richmond a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

“This investment in our Human Services team reflects a deep commitment to building a city where every neighborhood—and every neighbor—can thrive,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “The addition of these new roles and offices within the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services strengthens our ability to listen, respond, and partner with Richmonders, especially those who have too often been overlooked. Whether it’s gun violence prevention, opioid response, or ensuring LGBTQIA+ equity, these efforts are about more than service delivery—they’re about showing up, building trust, and working together to create a more connected and compassionate Richmond.”

During the next two weeks, the City of Richmond will highlight each area of focus across our social media platforms and website. Residents are encouraged to learn more about these offices and the communities they engage by following @rvagov on Instagram or Facebook or visiting www.rva.gov.   

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond is proud to announce several improvements to the visitor experience on City Hall's first floor. The changes, which are part of a broad effort to improve accessibility and transparency between government and the public, include improvements to City Hall wayfinding, re-opening of the Marshall Street entrance, the addition of first floor service kiosks, improved security measures, and the re-introduction of a staffed concierge desk to assist visitors.

"City Hall is the people's building," said Director of General Services Gail Johnson, who is overseeing the improvements. "Richmonders should be able to walk through those doors and safely and conveniently find the services they're looking for; our improvements are meant to ensure just that."

"These changes are part one of a multi-step effort to realize a vision of City Hall that is more accessible and more valuable to the residents we serve, said Mayor Danny Avula. When I envision a thriving City Hall, I see a building teeming with the work of city government, where citizens can walk through the doors to find the resources they need, when they need them."

Among the changes visitors can expect to see when they enter City Hall:

Improved Security Measures

Frequent visitors to City Hall may have already noticed the installation of new weapons detectors at our 9th Street entrance. These next generation Evolv sensors, located just outside of the building's entrance, offer enhanced detection capabilities, beyond what is available with standard metal detectors.

The detectors allow for enhanced security screening precision and reduced wait times, thereby improving ease of access to the facility.

Updated Wayfinding

Once inside the building, visitors will notice new signage throughout the main floor. The signs are color-blocked and make use of clear iconography to aid visitors in the location of various first floor services:

• Green
  • Tax and Utility Payments
• Orange
  • Assessments
• Blue
  • City Treasurer
  • Human Resources
  • Public Utilities
• Pink
  • Permits, Inspections, and Zoning

Please see the linked map, complete with the color-blocked zones, for a more in-depth look at the wayfinding updates. This map and an accompanying breakdown of available services will be printed and available in both English and Spanish at City Hall entrances and at the Concierge Desk early next month.

Staffed Concierge

Beginning on Monday, visitors now have a full-time, staff member available during normal business hours at the Concierge Desk, just inside the Marshall Street entrance. The staff member, who is bilingual (English, Spanish) will be able to assist visitors in quickly locating the services they need and is yet another resource the City is providing to better meet the needs of its residents.

Additional improvements to the City Hall experience, including a thoughtful consolidation of in-person planning and permitting processes, the addition of more foreign language signage, and the inclusion of public art, are expected later this year.

Any input on the City Hall experience? Please email [email protected] and let us know!