Richmond City Council / News Release
Richmond
City Council allocates affordable housing funds, establishes residential
inspection program, and obtains update on Richmond Strategic Plan to End
Homelessness
(Richmond,
Virginia U.S.A. 11.10.2025) - Richmond City
Council tonight during its Formal Meeting and Informal Meeting continued
its commitment to helping make the city accessible to all Richmonders. Key
actions focused on affordable and safe housing, easing the pressures of growth,
and making sure the most vulnerable have access to shelter.
“We
have established shared priorities around quality affordable housing and Richmond
City Council, the Mayor, residents, and all our community partners are collaboratively
working with greater effort to create and increase opportunities to help move
us closer to fuller access and inclusion for all Richmond residents,” says
Council President Cynthia I. Newbille.
Affordable Housing
Council
Approved Ord No. 2025-225
that transfers $2,000,000 from the “Richmond Delinquent Tax Sales” special fund
to the “Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund” special fund to provide resources
investing in affordable housing needs of individuals and families throughout
Richmond. The Richmond Chief
Administrative Officer will work with the Richmond Affordable Housing Trust
Fund Oversight Board to implement.
“Every
Richmond resident deserves access to safe, affordable housing and a place to
call home,” says Councilmember Ellen F. Robertson, Richmond City Council,
Richmond Gateway 6th District. “Investments like this help ensure we are
building a more equitable city where no one is priced out of the community they
love.”
Richmond Residential
Rental Inspection Program
Richmond City
Council approved Ord. No. 2025-161, amending the
Richmond City Code of Laws/Ordinances to establish a Richmond Residential
Rental Inspection Program. As defined in Virginia Code of Laws/Code of Virginia § 36-105.1:1., this new program
will inspect residential rental dwelling units to make sure they are safe,
decent, sanitary, and compliant with the Virginia Unform Statewide Building Code.
Richmond City Council may also establish rental inspection districts to target
ongoing health code violations, public safety incidents, and tenant complaints.
The Ordinance also defines how the Richmond Commissioner of Buildings
proactively inspects rental units to ensure enforcement.
Homeless
Presentation
The Richmond Office
of Homeless Services, as directed by Richmond City Council Ord. No. 2018-241, is required to annually
provide Richmond City Council with updates on the Richmond Strategic Plan to
End Homelessness, published in 2020, and present data, goals to expand housing
and shelter capacity, and the impact of federal funding cuts.
The presentation held
during the Council Informal Meeting included a
point-in-time count of 680 people experiencing homelessness in Richmond, which
found 333 being unsheltered and 347 being sheltered.
Since 2020, there
has been an expansion of shelter capacity for year-round capacity from 335 to
384 beds (of which 100 are funded by city government). Inclement weather
capacity has also grown from 150 to 166 beds.
Beyond this, there
are efforts to support greater permanent supportive housing which has grown by
86 units since 2020, with another 110 units funded moving forward.
Introduced Legislation
Twenty-one Council Ordinances and Resolutions were introduced during the Council Formal Meeting. All were assigned to Richmond City Council Standing Committees to be reviewed in the coming weeks.
Introduced
legislation refers to proposed Ordinances or Resolutions being officially
submitted for Richmond City Council consideration. This is the first step in the
legislative process, where a Councilmember, or Mayor, proposes legislation for
Council action. Once introduced, legislation is typically referred to a Council
Standing Committee for review. Legislation proceeds from there to a Council
Formal or Special Meeting for Council action.
Next Richmond City Council Formal Meeting
The next Richmond City Council Formal Meeting be held Monday, December 8, 2025, in Council Chambers.
Access/Learn
more
To
access and learn about Richmond City Council Formal, Informal, and Standing
Committee meetings, recordings, and documents, please visit https://richmondva.legistar.com/
-End-
Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad
Street, Suite 300 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)
