Resident urges Richmond City Council to set aside 0.305% of budget for $9 million Family Crisis Fund increase

Casey Miller, a resident of the Seventh District and a member of New Virginia Majority, urged the Richmond City Council to allocate additional funding to the city's Family Crisis Fund during the public comment period.

"I'm Casey Miller, a resident and runner in the Seventh District," Miller said, identifying herself as affiliated with New Virginia Majority. She asked the council to reserve 0.305% of the total Richmond City budget to fund a $9,000,000 increase for the Family Crisis Fund. Miller said portions of the fund were opened to impacted residents after a recent water crisis and were claimed "in less than 72 hours," which she used to illustrate immediate need.

Miller attributed several statistics and observations to the city context: she said one in three residents statewide are renters and that in Richmond the share is "over half," and she told council she believes Richmond had the nation's second highest eviction rate last year. Miller said the council declared a housing crisis "22 months ago," and argued that without additional City funding, residents would lack necessary supports when federal resources are constrained.

Miller gave a personal example to underscore urgency: she said a friend missed medication purchases after successive rent increases and later died, and she stated that an additional $113 a month would have made a difference for that person. Miller urged council to "properly fund" the housing emergency fund to provide stability and relief for vulnerable residents.

Her remarks were part of the public comment period; no formal council motion or vote on funding was made during the meeting. The transcript records Miller's request and related claims; the council did not take immediate action on the Family Crisis Fund during the formal session.

The council agenda proceeded to other items following public comment.