Richmond public speakers press council to restore mobile‑home repairs, fund affordable housing and school contracts during budget hearing

Richmond City Council held a public hearing on the proposed fiscal‑year budget Monday, and dozens of residents, nonprofit leaders and school staff told council members the plan underfunds services they said protect renters, children and low‑income homeowners.

Speakers front‑loaded three specific requests: restore $1,000,000 for mobile‑home repairs, include $8,200,000 from expiring property tax abatements for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund as required by city ordinance, and fully fund collective bargaining agreement (CBA) raises for Richmond Public Schools staff.

The hearing opened after the council approved procedural items: the council adopted the meeting agenda as amended and approved the consent agenda. Those two motions passed with unanimous recorded votes by council members present. The council then held the public hearing on budget ordinances (items listed by the clerk as ordinance numbers 202557 through 202563).

Advocates described immediate harms they say the proposed budget would leave unaddressed. "Richmond has the second highest eviction rate in the country," said Warren Campbell, a First District resident and community organizer with New Virginia Majority. Campbell urged the council to expand the…