The City of Richmond has released an initial assessment detailing the local impact of the ongoing federal government shutdown and outlining steps to maintain essential services. The document, titled “Resilient Richmond,” is available at go.rva.gov/shutdown and aims to provide transparency regarding potential effects on city operations and residents.
Mayor Danny Avula, who previously led the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts during the 2018 federal shutdown, addressed the city’s approach: “While this moment brings uncertainty, it isn’t uncharted territory. We’ve navigated this before-and we will again,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “My commitment is to stay as transparent as possible and to keep residents informed as we learn more.”
According to the assessment, over 54,000 Richmond residents depend on SNAP benefits for food assistance, while more than 3,000 families rely on TANF for basic needs. Nearly $90 million in spending on food and other essentials in the local economy is supported by federal funding. Additionally, $3.9 million in federal fuel assistance aided residents during last year’s heating season.
Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II explained that while essential city services such as water supply, sanitation, emergency response, and waste collection will continue without interruption, about 160 of more than 400 federally supported programs in Richmond could be negatively affected if funding delays persist.
The city’s response strategy includes a six-point plan: mitigating economic harm with a 60-day financial contingency plan; maintaining essential service continuity; prioritizing support for low-income and vulnerable populations; ongoing communication with federal partners; advocacy at state and federal levels; and frequent updates for stakeholders.
“While the circumstances around the current federal shutdown state are not ideal, the prudent fiscal management and steady leadership of our Mayor and Council have positioned the City of Richmond to continue the consistent delivery of core services and safeguard essential operations during what we hope is a brief impasse,” said Donald. “As we navigate these uncertain waters, this report is meant to provide transparency to our public, our partners, and other key stakeholders potentially impacted.”
The Department of Social Services is expected to feel immediate effects due to its reliance on federal funding. Other departments likely to be impacted include Housing & Community Development and Public Utilities.
Residents are encouraged to visit go.rva.gov/shutdown for updates, follow @rvagov on social media platforms for real-time information, and sign up for Richmond Ready Alerts for critical notifications. The city plans daily monitoring of developments related to the shutdown.
