The questions below were sent to each candidate competing in the race for City Council.
Tavares Floyd
Floyd submitted responses to the questionnaire prior to questions being raised over the accuracy of his campaign filings.
What does your district need most right now — and how will you help?
The 6th District is in desperate need of a leader who truly listens to the people and is committed to standing up for their needs. For too long, our residents have felt unheard, misaligned, and dismayed by a system that seems to cater more to developers and special interests than to the hardworking families who live here. Our district is home to many mom-and-pop businesses, working-class residents, and those living in extreme poverty. These are the people who need a voice in City Hall, a champion who will fight for them without fear or favor.
The big-ticket items in Richmond — like unchecked development, rising costs of living, and a failing public safety strategy — have hit the 6th District the hardest. We have seen our neighborhoods change rapidly, not for the better, but in ways that displace long-time residents and make it almost impossible for people to live here, let alone thrive. What we need now is change. A new leader who is boots on the ground, who knocks on doors, who knows the issues inside and out, and who has the expertise to bring real solutions to the table. That leader is me. I am committed to being present for residents, fighting for their needs, and standing strong against those who would sell out our district for their own gain.
How will you engage your constituents on policy issues?
I have always maintained an open-door policy because I believe in the power of communication and transparency. My plan to engage constituents goes beyond just being available — I will be proactive. We will have regular block district meetings where residents can voice their concerns directly to me and each other. I will meet regularly with residents, community leaders and stakeholders to ensure that we are all on the same page and that your voices are heard at every level of decision-making.
We will establish an Accountability Team for the district, a group of dedicated residents and community leaders who will help measure our success, identify challenges, and work with me to develop policy changes that address those challenges. I want the residents to lead all of my decisions because, at the end of the day, I work for you. Your priorities are my priorities, and together, we can create the change we need in the 6th District.
What’s your top citywide priority?
My top citywide priority is to make City Hall function properly and deliver the resources that taxpayers deserve. For too long, we’ve seen a city government that is slow to respond, bogged down in red tape, and disconnected from the very people it is supposed to serve. We need a City Hall that delivers for the people — a government that is efficient, transparent, and accountable. My goal is to ensure that the services people pay for are the services they receive, and that City Hall becomes a place where residents feel empowered and heard, not dismissed and overlooked.
How can you help restore trust in the city and its services?
Restoring trust starts with doing right by the people—giving them a seat at the table, keeping them looped in, and partnering with them to make things right. My approach to leadership is rooted in collaboration. I will lift your voices and ensure that you are an active part of the decision-making process. Together, we will work to create a city that delivers on its promises. Regular communications, transparent decision-making, and an open dialogue are key to rebuilding trust. I am committed to being a leader who is not just present, but also responsive and accountable to the people of the 6th District.
What steps can council take to ensure more affordable housing — not just publicly subsidized housing — is accessible to residents?
Affordable housing is a crisis in our district, and it’s a crisis that has been exacerbated by a council representative who has sold us out to developers. As your representative, I will push for policies that create and preserve affordable housing, not just publicly subsidized options but also market-rate housing that working families can afford. This means implementing stronger protections against displacement, offering incentives for developers to include affordable units in their projects, and holding them accountable when they don’t.
We need to address the root causes of the housing crisis, such as zoning laws that favor luxury developments over affordable options, and we need to make sure that the people who have lived here for generations can continue to do so. I will fight for policies that prioritize the needs of our residents over the profits of developers, and I will work to ensure that the 6th District remains a place where everyone can find a home.
What’s your perspective on term limits for council representatives?
I strongly believe in term limits. The 6th District has been struggling under the same leadership for 21 years, and it’s time for a change. When someone has been in office for decades, it becomes harder to remain connected to the people and their needs. That’s why I support a maximum of three terms for council representatives. Term limits will bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and a renewed commitment to serving the people. It’s time for leadership that reflects the will and needs of the community, and term limits are a crucial step in making that happen.
In conclusion, our district needs a leader who is of the people, for the people — a champion who will fight tirelessly for you. I am committed to being that leader, to working with you to create a better future for the 6th District, and to making sure that your voices are heard, your needs are met, and your concerns are addressed. Together, we can build a district and a city that works for everyone.
Willie Hilliard
What does your district need most right now — and how will you help?
The most prevalent need in this district at the moment is clean, safe and affordable housing.
I am advocating for property tax reform that will allow for revenue growth that can support housing development without putting added pressure on seniors or the working class.
I would also push for more transparent and community-driven development that would allow the community as a whole to better be able to give informed consent to what development does or does not happen. I think that to meet the city’s housing goals and fight displacement of existing communities we should encourage more medium-density housing developments instead of top-down 'mega' projects, and I believe that wealthy neighborhoods should not be exempt from this trend.
How will you engage your constituents on policy issues?
As a leader of a civic association I meet regularly with business and residential constituents about the issues most important to them.
That said, I will meet with every civic association on a regular basis. I will also hold my monthly constituent meetings in different communities within the district to make sure that everyone is heard as opposed to having meetings where everyone can't easily get to them.
What’s your top citywide priority?
Housing insecurity is plaguing the country right now, so to say we need housing is too easy. My top priority would be to invest into improving the infrastructure of this city. We have an early 20th century infrastructure that's insufficient as we head into the 22nd century.
We need to overhaul the city’s combined sewer system which regularly overflows and dumps massive amounts of sewage into the James River.
Furthermore, I support making significantly-higher investments in pedestrian, cycling, and bus infrastructure throughout Richmond than the city government is currently appropriating.
How can you help restore trust in the city and its services?
The City of Richmond has a great workforce but they're not being supported wholeheartedly. I believe that lack of support is reflected in their attitudes and approach to their jobs.
More importantly, City Hall has an issue that's systemic. Their systems and processes have to be updated to the times.
This year alone, the city charged taxpayers penalties and interest on tax bills that were never delivered due to mail problems. They hit restaurants with huge bills for unpaid meals taxes after failing to notify them that there were issues with their accounts. We get estimated utility bills, instead of getting actual meter readings. People are still enduring long waits for building permits needed to open a business or to do simple renovations. We have to improve the workforce and systems immediately to regain trust in the City.
What steps can council take to ensure more affordable housing — not just publicly subsidized housing — is accessible to residents?
Housing should be considered a right and not a privilege, yet with so few affordable options, our city leaders continue to prioritize pushing uneven and inequitable developments through.
As I stated before we need push for more transparent and community-driven development that would allow the community as a whole to better be able to give informed consent to what development does or does not happen.
Lastly, I would support measures like a requirement for the city to inform affected residents in writing about any significant development projects being proposed.
What’s your perspective on term limits for council representatives?
I unequivocally support term limits. Two four year terms should be more than sufficient enough to make the significant enough change that your constituency requests and to deliver on your campaign "promises". No one should be in office for twenty years. It only leads to complacency from the representative.
Ellen Robertson
What does your district need most right now — and how will you help?
There is a shortage of affordable housing rental and home ownership in the 6th District. The 6th district is home to the largest number of RRHA public housing, totally up to 1,800 units Likewise, the District is also home to Manchester, the fastest and highest growing multifamily housing community in the city.
There are more than 10,500 low-income families on a waiting list for housing, with 85% of these families whose income is less than $10,000 annually which can only afford to pay $250 a month in rent. The reality is 43% of Richmond households earn less than $50,000.
The 1st priority is to provide affordable housing for the 43% residents earning less than $50,000. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund annual investment must be increased to $100 mil., using a dedicated source of income, such as recordation taxes. Additionally, nonprofits building affordable housing for families at $50,000 and less should be exempted from real estate taxes for up to 30 years as long as the housing remains affordable. For-profit developers of Affordable Housing should be eligible to receive performance real estate tax rebates and exemptions. Housing vouchers should be used as a source of income to purchases an affordable home. The federal and State must provide increase housing vouchers to meet the need of the 10,500 families on the waiting list.
How will you engage your constituents on policy issues?
I will continue to provide hands-on assistance to residents seeking affordable housing. Constituents will determine policies by serving on the AHTF Board, the MLK Land and Trust Board, and engaging in decisions on tax incentives and breaks to support affordable housing. I will continue to communication and information the public on where and how to secure affordable housing, the various incentives available to develop affordable housing, and financial assistance for rent and mortgage payments. We will host regular work sessions on applications assistance, financial and credit repairs, incentives, job and career development.
What's your top citywide priority?
My top priority is to create comprehensive, healthy communities across the city. This includes affordable housing, quality public education, reliable public transportation, reducing poverty, full service grocery stores and health care to achieve equitable, quality living for all families.
How can you help restore trust in the city and its services?
Trust building requires all parties sharing and agrees to mutual goals. This required frequent communication and progress reports to ensure goals are achieved. I will continue to hold myself, council and administration accountable. All partners and grant receivers to provide services will closely monitored to evaluate successes. Providing equitable and high-quality residents engagement, city services with greater accountability and transparency will build trust and positive results
What steps can council take to ensure more affordable housing — not just publicly subsidized housing — is accessible to residents?
Council must continue to increase a dedicated source of funding for the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund to meet the demands We must rezone for increase multi-family housing and others choices by right. Community amenities for wholesome, healthy living must include businesses, schools, reliable affordable transportation and quality city services at a cost residents can afford.
What's your perspective on term limits for council representatives?
There are advantages and disadvantages to term limits. I believe it is the voter’s right to have their choice in candidate and term limits should not restrict that choice. Likewise, terms and voting rights should be comparable to those in our neighboring counties of Chesterfield and Henrico.
