Mayor Avula pushes back against RRHA’s plans to transfer Gilpin Court to private corporation due to leadership concerns

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond Mayor Danny Avula has said he won't endorse Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority's (RRHA) proposal to redevelop Gilpin Court under Richmond Development Corporation (RDC), its private corporation, until certain measures are taken, adding that RRHA must withdraw its plans until "major concerns" regarding RDC's structure are addressed.

In the afternoon on Thursday, Sept. 11, Avula released a statement regarding RHHA's proposal.

Although Avula said he is in favor of improving public housing communities, adding that he appreciates recent requests from RRHA staff leadership to provide support for the Gilpin Court redevelopment proposal, he said he cannot endorse RRHA's approach until requirements are met.

Avula outlined eight total requirements needed for his endorsement, with a significant stipulation being that RRHA should withdraw its plans to move Gilpin to RDC "until major concerns" are met regarding the way it is structured.

Avula called it "concerning" that most RDC board members are RRHA staff members, and said the majority of those seats should instead be "long-term community stakeholders," with the addition of permanent representation for the City of Richmond.

Other stipulations pertained to increased transparency with residents and the city, and services and resources made available to residents before, during, and after the redevelopment.

The following were Avula's eight stipulations:

1. "RRHA should use the Jackson Ward Community Plan (JWCP) as its guidance for the Gilpin Court redevelopment, and it will have to seek City Council approval of the plan as called for by the Richmond 300 Master Plan. Deviations from the plans require clear justification, and the opportunity for the public to discuss in a public process prior to its transmission to Council."
2. "RRHA should revitalize the Gilpin Informed Residents initiative to ensure residents have access to accurate information and a trusted way to relay feedback and concerns to RRHA. RRHA should work with Gilpin Informed Neighbors and the Gilpin Tenants Council to develop a Tenants Bill of Rights to ensure residents have rights to return and to access housing options. "
3. "The Jackson Ward Community Plan states that all 781 Gilpin Court units are to be replaced by project-based voucher units in the Gilpin footprint and across the city.  RRHA must confirm that this is still the plan, and if not, explain its plan for replacing each deeply affordable unit in Gilpin Court."
4. "RRHA should develop and distribute materials very clearly showing the projected timeline for redevelopment and the critical steps leading to redevelopment; housing options for Gilpin residents; and services and resources available to Gilpin residents before, during, and after redevelopment."
5. "Those supports should include, for instance, ensuring all Gilpin Court residents have adequate information and opportunity to become lease compliant and hence eligible for housing vouchers, as well as holistic family-based connections to workforce development, educational, and health services. RRHA must make every effort to assure all Gilpin residents receive robust support, regardless of current lease compliance status."
6. "RRHA should withdraw its proposal to convey Gilpin Court to Richmond Development Corporation (RDC) until major concerns about RDC’s governance structure are addressed. It is concerning that the majority of RDC board seats are held by RRHA staff members. The majority of the board should be long-term community stakeholders, and the City of Richmond should have permanent representation on the board."
7. "RRHA should establish, in collaboration with the City of Richmond, an ongoing Jackson Ward Community Plan Steering Committee to provide advice, ensure implementation, and celebrate the achievements of the project. This steering committee should be comprised of the Gilpin Informed Residents, Gilpin Tenant Council members, Jackson Ward community members, City of Richmond staff, and other community stakeholders." 
8. "Upon request, RRHA must commit to providing the City detailed financial information; detailed information about resources and programming available to residents of Gilpin Court and other RRHA communities; and detailed information about the physical condition of RRHA properties."  

Avula further said that there is currently a lack of transparency for "too many Richmonders, and especially Gilpin residents" regarding the goals of redevelopment, and that few understand the specific steps required.

"Our city’s families deserve better," Avula said.

Avula referred to the eight requirements as being important first steps toward ensuring the project moves forward "in a way that reflects our values and strengthens our community."

On Sept. 5, RRHA's Richmond Tenant Organization (RTO), the governing body of RRHA, which is made up of tenant council presidents from each of RRHA's family and senior public housing communities, announced its endorsement of the redevelopment.

The proposed transfer has come under fire by residents for months, including a meeting in late August, with residents particularly concerned about ownership.

City leaders and residents have also raised questions about how displaced families will be supported during the process, with RRHA officials saying housing protection vouchers will help families afford rent elsewhere.

RRHA outlined its housing voucher plan with 8News in early September, during which leadership said it was working with 575 landlords who have RRHA voucher holders currently housed in their properties.

If a resident must leave their unit due to redevelopment, and receives a voucher, that voucher being accepted is ultimately the landlord's decision, leaving the possibility of displacement -- a concern noted by City Councilmember Stephanie Lynch.

8News has reached out to RRHA for comment regarding Avula's statement.