Richmond council hears public pleas to restore housing, schools and crisis funding at special budget hearing

A special public hearing on the proposed Richmond city budget drew dozens of residents, service providers and municipal officials who urged the City Council to restore or increase funding for housing, schools, emergency rent assistance and youth programs.

Speakers pressed council to restore two previously funded line items that support Housing Opportunities Made Equal’s work with Richmond Housing Authority voucher holders and investigations of housing discrimination. “I humbly ask you if you could continue to fund this program and allow us to continue to serve the city of Richmond,” Thomas Fitzpatrick, executive director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal, told council.

The hearing attracted multiple requests tied to housing stability. Several speakers urged the council to add $1 million to the Family Crisis Fund and to approve two full‑time code‑enforcement positions to support a rental inspection program. “We are only funding $1,800,000 to collectively stop evictions in our city,” organizer Warren Campbell said as he…