Richmond Department of Social Services to reopen at new location

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The city of Richmond Department of Social Services (DSS) is set to reopen its office space at a new location on Thursday.

On Monday, Jan. 12, the city announced the new location, 300 E. Franklin Street -- which previously served as the Richmond Times-Dispatch's headquarters before they vacated in 2025 -- will reopen on Thursday, Jan. 15.

The new location combines all five branches of DSS under one roof, the city announced on Monday. The move also aims to streamline operations, improve coordination of services and enhance the overall customer experience for residents seeking services, per a Jan. 12 release from the city.

“This new space allows us to better serve the Richmond community by streamlining operations and creating a more collaborative environment for our staff,” said Shunda Giles, Director of DSS in a release. “By housing our teams together, we are strengthening our ability to connect residents to the resources and support they need in a more timely and effective way.”

Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald highlighted the impact that this new office space would have on service delivery in the city.

“This transition reflects the City’s commitment to improving access and the overall customer experience for residents seeking essential services,” Donald said in a release. “By investing in this centralized, modern workspace, DSS will be better positioned to meet the needs of Richmonders.”