“Over the past couple of weeks, my team and I have engaged with Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, tenant advocates, Sheriff Irving and the courts with a goal of completely halting evictions that were decided and scheduled before the statewide freeze on new cases. 

“After conversations with the Sheriff and her team, I've gotten assurance that no evictions will be executed during this state of emergency. The Sheriff has notified the landlords that the execution of all evictions will be halted.

“In addition to working with the Sheriff, I also called on Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to extend its eviction freeze and the recipients of the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund monies to not pursue evictions at all. My proposed budget amendment to move $2.1 million to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund will help provide emergency shelter spaces and supportive housing for our most vulnerable community members, as well as provide additional funding for our Eviction Diversion Program once the state of emergency ends.

“It boils down to this: no one should lose their home in the middle of a pandemic. Responding to this challenge with speedy and just action requires compassionate decision-making on all levels. I urge all landlords to be understanding of the huge economic burden many workers bear due to COVID-19. We must work together and lift each other up.”