Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) has plans to replace existing public housing with mixed income developments and a voucher-based system — but it’s done so with little to no public engagement or input, which has raised alarm over the futures of thousands of public housing residents. RRHA has also been responsible for a high number of eviction filings, stemming largely from communities that the agency plans to raze and rebuild.
VPM News broke stories about the agency’s lack of transparency, including
RRHA advancing documents detailing plans to demolish public housing to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) before the close of the public comment period;
Deficiencies in the agency’s annual and five-year plans that resulted in HUD rejecting the plans.
The agency advancing its application to demolish one of the housing properties, Creighton Court, before its board of commissioners voted on the documents;
Additionally, following VPM’s coverage of large numbers of evictions, the agency put a freeze on new evictions and announced it was participating in the City’s eviction diversion program.
In covering RRHA, VPM News has encountered obstacles that include the housing agency’s unwillingness to answer questions and provide comment on the status of its redevelopment plans, eviction filings and public engagement efforts. Our approach has been to fact-check all information with HUD, develop the trust of residents living in public housing communities, and to file open records requests.
Through VPM News’ watchdog reporting, we’ve been able to break down complex issues tied to RRHA to help community members understand a pivotal transition for public housing in the city.
Rundown:
0:00-3:51 - Richmond Residents Raise Alarm About New Public Housing Plan, Lack Of Public Input
Intro: This week, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority sent their five-year plan to the federal agency HUD for approval. Advocates have been voicing their concerns -- saying the agency failed to meaningfully involve residents in the process. WCVE’s Yasmine Jumaa reports.
3:53-4:34 New Public Housing Crime Czar Cracks Down On Admission To Monthly Board Meeting
Intro: Richmond public housing residents and community members were denied admission to the housing authority’s board meeting on Wednesday. As Yasmine Jumaa reports, attendees were told the room was at capacity.
4:36-5:26 Richmond Housing Authority’s Practices Under Scrutiny, ‘That Is Not Transparency’
Intro: Richmond residents and some council members are raising concerns about the approval of more than $50 million in public housing revenue bonds without enough public input. Yasmine Jumaa reports.
5:28-6:18 Richmond Housing Authority Approves Funds To Renovate Southside Apartments
Intro: On Wednesday, Richmond’s public housing authority approved the distribution of over $15 million in bonds to a private developer. Yasmine Jumaa reports.
6:30-7:04 Richmond Judge Hears 52 Eviction Cases Tuesday, All From Creighton Court
Intro: Richmond District Court heard 52 eviction cases Tuesday filed by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority against residents of Creighton Court, a public housing community slated for demolition. Whittney Evans reports.
7:09-8:08 Richmond Judge Dismisses 31 RRHA Eviction Cases
Intro: A Richmond General District Court judge dismissed every eviction case on the docket for Fairfield Court on Thursday. As Yasmine Jumaa reports, Judge Clair Cardwell said the public housing authority improperly filed legal documents
8:10-14:25 Eviction Notices In Creighton Court Met With Confusion, Frustration
Host Intro: When 52 eviction cases from a single public housing community in Richmond were heard in a courtroom last month, it set off alarm bells. As VPM’s Whittney Evans reports, many of those residents facing eviction are now getting help from the city, but questions remain about how they got to this position in the first place.
14:26-16:34 Richmond Housing Authority Freezes Evictions Until 2020
Host Intro: When 52 eviction cases from a single public housing community in Richmond were heard in a courtroom last month, it set off alarm bells. As VPM’s Whittney Evans reports, many of those residents facing eviction are now getting help from the city, but questions remain about how they got to this position in the first place.
15:35-16:30 Creighton Court Vacancies Raise Concerns Among Residents, Advocates at RRHA Meeting
Intro: The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s Creighton Court has nearly 100 vacant units. Public housing advocates say this could compromise the future of affordable housing in the city. Yasmine Jumaa reports.