Committee requests 120-day inventory of city programs that mitigate displacement

The Richmond finance committee voted to forward a resolution asking the chief administrative officer to direct the Department of Finance and the Department of Housing and Community Development, with other relevant departments, to inventory existing city programs and initiatives that address displacement, assess effectiveness and report findings and recommendations to council within 120 days.

Maria Garnett, a council policy analyst, said the inventory is intended to consolidate program information across city government so council can see what already exists and identify gaps before the next budget cycle. Garnett said the report’s timing is designed to inform council’s budget decisions.

Representatives of Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME) spoke in support; Annika Shun, HOME’s housing policy advocate, told the committee that Richmond has experienced significant displacement of Black residents over the last 25 years and that an inventory is an essential first step for a comprehensive mitigation strategy.

A motion to forward resolution 2025-R043 with a recommendation to approve passed by voice vote recorded as: Vice Chair Jones, Aye; Chair Robertson, Aye. (Transcript indicates support and co-patron offers from committee members.)

Ending: Staff will compile program inventories and return recommendations to council within the 120-day window specified by the resolution.