Mayor Danny Avula has outlined several conditions that must be met before he can support the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s (RRHA) current approach to redeveloping Gilpin Court, one of the city’s largest public housing communities.
In a statement released on September 11, Avula emphasized his administration’s commitment to ensuring all residents have access to safe, quality, and code-compliant homes. He noted that Richmond’s existing public housing does not meet these standards and called for a new model of deeply affordable housing in the city.
Avula detailed several requirements for RRHA as it moves forward with its redevelopment proposal. These include using the Jackson Ward Community Plan as guidance for Gilpin Court redevelopment and seeking City Council approval as mandated by the Richmond 300 Master Plan. The mayor stated: “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.”
He also called on RRHA to revitalize resident engagement efforts: “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 Residents and the Gilpin Tenants Council to develop a Tenants Bill of Rights to ensure residents have rights to return and to access housing options.”
The mayor highlighted that replacement of all existing units is essential: “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.”
Avula requested more transparency regarding timelines, options available for residents during redevelopment, and support services: “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.”
He added that supports should include help with lease compliance so residents can qualify for vouchers, along with connections to workforce development, education, and health services: “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.”
The mayor raised concerns about governance issues involving proposed property transfers: “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.”
He also called for ongoing oversight through a steering committee involving various stakeholders: “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.”
Finally, Avula asked RRHA for detailed financial information about resources available both at Gilpin Court specifically—and across other properties—as well as details about their physical condition.
“As Mayor,” Avula said in closing remarks,“it is incredibly important to me that discussions about Gilpin Court are carried out in a spirit of respect. Our City Council members have a responsibility to ask hard questions,and community members have every right to engage fully in this process.Unfortunately,…there is not clarity about the goals of redevelopment,nor is there understanding about the specific action steps required…Our city’s families deserve better.”
Avula reiterated his goal is reintegrating historically isolated public housing into broader neighborhoods within Richmond.“If we are serious about building a Richmond that truly thrives together,” he said,“then we must be just as thoughtful about how we engage as we are about the outcomes we seek.For Gilpin’s redevelopment to succeed,it must be rooted in healing and hope.The eight action items outlined above are important first steps toward ensuring this project moves forward in a way that reflects our values…”
