Mayor Avula shares new collaborative model for public housing redevelopment

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond Mayor Danny Avula has shared a new collaborative model for public housing redevelopment following controversial plans by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) nonprofit to redevelop Gilpin Court under Richmond Development Corporation (RDC), its private corporation.

During a meeting with the RRHA Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, Nov. 19, Mayor Avula shared a new "shared governance" model for public housing redevelopment through the Joint Gilpin Transformation Working Group, with members including the following:

• RRHA Board Chair and executive director,
• Mayor Avula, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Odie Donald II, deputy CAOs, relevant directors/senior staff, and a City Council member,
• Community partners, including Richmond City Public Schools and other stakeholders,
• Development partners, and
• Representation of Gilpin Court residents, including but not limited to tenant council leaders.

Avula said these measures ensure transparency and allow all parties an equal seat at the table to guide decisions.

In addition, Avula shared aspects of a a "great People Plan" that guarantees residents the following conditions:

• All current residents have the opportunity to move to a subsidized housing unit of similar or better quality to their current units.
• All current residents are connected to services that bolster employment, education, credentials and future income capacity and address barriers and current challenges -- including childcare, transportation, mental and physical health support, and substance abuse support.
• All current residents receive support in becoming lease compliant.
• New neighborhood environments are created that provide safety, economic opportunities, positive amenities, strong educational opportunities and connect residents with the fabric of the wider city.
• Measurable improvements in education, employment, income and positive youth development.

In a statement following his message with RRHA, Avula added that the shared governance model and a "great People Plan" would "set a new standard for resident-centered public housing transformation" and ensure Gilpin families were centered in the redevelopment of Gilpin Court.

Avula added that RRHA should answer remaining requests and "commit to working together" by Dec. 17.

Originally, RRHA proposed to transfer Gilpin Court to the agency's private corporation, RDC, for development. RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith stated that this transfer would enable access to private funds that would better cover the costs of redevelopment than public funds.

The original proposal sparked backlash over the course of months from both residents and city leaders, with many worried about the possibility of a change in ownership and the potential for families to be displaced.

Nesmith previously explained that housing protection vouchers (HPVs) would be given to help families afford rent elsewhere while redevelopment is underway, though their receipt is at the discretion of landlords.

Avula pushed back against the original proposal, and announced that he could not endorse the original proposal until certain steps were taken -- one of which was that RHHA must withdraw its plans to move Gilpin to RDC until concerns about its governance structure were addressed.

Following this, during a RHHA Board of Commissioners meeting, Nesmith suggested a new proposal that involved Gilpin being transferred to RDC in phases rather than doing it all at once. A vote on the new proposal was not made at the time.