Community advocates weigh in on Avula’s housing affordability plan

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond Mayor Danny Avula released a housing affordability plan last week aimed at strengthening existing affordable housing programs in the city.

The plan is built around four pillars designed to expand housing access and improve affordability.

"People are having to decide between buying food and paying rent, getting health insurance and paying rent," said RISC (Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities) Co-President Derek Starr Redwine.

Avula's first pillar focuses on establishing predictable city funding, including $10 million annually to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Avula said this will create and preserve about 1,000 affordable homes.

"We're glad to see that he's putting forth a paper that addresses it," he said. "The problem is it's not a commitment."

Redwine said they are supporting an alternate plan created by city council members, rather than the Mayor’s proposal.

"Gibson and Robertson's plan… part of its beauty is clarity," Redwine said. "The mayor's proposal is a bit opaque. It provides escape clauses and gives him full discretion on when and if the trust fund should be funded."

RISC said the alternate ordinance sponsored by Councilmembers Ellen Robertson and Kenya Gibson would dedicate tax revenue to the affordable housing trust fund, guaranteeing more than $12 million annually to help address Richmond’s housing crisis.

The other three pillars of Avula’s plan include:

• Updating the zoning code to increase the housing supply and to streamline permitting and approval processes. 
• Committing to collaborative public housing redevelopment by holding RHHA accountable and centering residents. 
• Delivering on anti-displacement by improving administration of our existing programs. 

"I do believe he cares about affordable housing, but it's not his money," Redwine said. "It's the city's money. It's the people's money."

Redwine said both affordable housing proposals - Robertson's and Avula's - are expected to be brought before city council and voted on next month.