RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond City Council approved several ordinances in an effort to improve affordable and safe housing for residents during a meeting on Monday.
“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,” said Council President Cynthia I. Newbille.
Affordable housing funding
In one ordinance approved on Monday, Nov. 10, the council approved the transfer of $2 million from the “Richmond Delinquent Tax Sales” special fund to go toward the “Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund” — supporting mixed-income development, rehabilitating blighted properties and advancing housing stability.
The council also authorized a grant agreement to support Bellevue Gardens — a 78-unit affordable housing development at 3940 Rosedale Avenue. According to a release from Mayor Danny Avula — the patron of the ordinance — the project will include 42 homes for residents earning 0-50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and 36 homes for those at 50-80% AMI, with completion expected in 2026…