RRHA outlines housing voucher plan amid Gilpin Court redevelopment concerns

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — As the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) moves forward with plans to redevelop Gilpin Court, city leaders and residents are raising questions about how displaced families will be supported during the process.

RRHA officials said housing protection vouchers (HPVs) will help families afford rent elsewhere while redevelopment is underway.

An HPV is designed to assist low-income families by covering part of their rent if they’re forced to leave their current home. Tenants usually pay 30% of their income toward rent and the rest is paid by the government.

In the case of Gilpin Court, RRHA is transferring management to its nonprofit arm, the Richmond Development Corporation, which will oversee the distribution of these vouchers.

The two main types of vouchers involved are Project-Based Vouchers, tied to specific communities like Gilpin Court, and Tenant Protection Vouchers (TPVs), which allow residents to move anywhere in the U.S. However, acceptance of these vouchers is not guaranteed.

Senior Vice President of Affordable Housing Corey Franklin said they are currently working with 575 landlords and have RRHA voucher holders currently housed in their properties.

"Anybody who owns a property, any apartment complex, any person who has an available unit can take the voucher, as long as they're in the city of Richmond," said Franklin. "But ultimately, it's up to the landlord."

That uncertainty worries some city officials.

"If I get my voucher, is there another unit that's going to accept that voucher and give me a safe place to land?" asked City Councilmember Stephanie Lynch. “The vouchers don't matter if you don't have the landlords and the units to accept those vouchers for people to move into.”

To address these concerns, the Housing authority also said relocation specialists will assist families with finding new homes, and incentive programs have been introduced — including a $250 payment to landlords for each voucher they accept. As well as $150 reimbursement for families, which includes application fees and other expenses.

Franklin also said that a tenant bill of rights is in development. The agreement, established in partnership with the City of Richmond, would guarantee residents the right to return to Gilpin Court once the redevelopment is complete.