RHA presents phased plan for Gilpin Court redevelopment; council seeks relocation, oversight details

The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RHA) told the Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee on a June meeting date that it plans a phased redevelopment of Gilpin Court using its nonprofit redevelopment arm, the Richmond Development Corporation (RDC), to raise money and accelerate construction.

RHA Chief Executive Officer Steve Nesmith said the proposal uses a phase-transfer model rather than transferring all 781 units at once, and that RHA will retain land title via ground lease: “RHA will continue to own the land,” Nesmith said. He said the RDC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wholly owned by RHA and that redevelopment agreements include a tenant bill of rights and other provisions to preserve resident options.

The presentation centered on financing and tenant protections. Nesmith and senior staff said federal funding shortfalls make outside financing necessary; they listed tools they may pursue, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, historic tax credits, state and city funding and rental-assistance demonstrations. Nesmith said RHA aims to request tenant protection vouchers from HUD to assist households during relocation and to preserve ability to…