RHA outlines summer safety push for six public‑housing 'hot spots,' pledges youth jobs, lease enforcement and de‑escalation training

Steven Nesmith, chief executive officer of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, told the Public Safety Standing Committee that the authority will expand youth employment and community outreach and step up lease enforcement after a year‑to‑date increase in homicides.

The presentation, given May 20 (time not specified on transcript) and summarized to the committee by Nesmith, said overall crime is down year‑to‑date but "we are 3 more homicides than we were at this time last year," a statistic Nesmith called a "sense of urgency." Nesmith said the RHA will focus activity on the six highest‑crime public‑housing sites (the "big 6") and partner with the Richmond Police Department and other agencies on a summer and year‑round strategy.

Nesmith told the committee the authority will pursue several tracks: deploy RHA security and coordinate with RPD at designated hot spots; offer de‑escalation training for youth through third‑party providers and faith partners; expand safe‑space recreation and job placements…