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Richmond City Council adopts $500,000 to fund tenant legal assistance in eviction cases
Summary
As part of the consent agenda, City Council approved an ordinance that allocates $500,000 to the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society to provide attorneys for tenants facing eviction in Richmond General District Court. Advocates and several council members highlighted the program as an initial, limited step toward broader right-to-counsel goals.
Richmond City Council adopted a consent-agenda ordinance to provide $500,000 to the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (CVLAS) to fund attorneys for tenants facing eviction in Richmond General District Court.
Martin Regbreit, identified in remarks as an emeritus pro bono attorney and retired director of litigation at CVLAS, told council the funding will help hundreds of families and invited council members to observe eviction court to see how outcomes differ for tenants with and without counsel. “This funding will keep them more stably housed going forward,” Regbreit said. Steve Dickinson, CVLAS executive director, accompanied Regbreit and was available to answer questions.
Council members speaking in favor described the allocation as an important but limited step. Councilwoman Gibson said the city should continue oversight to ensure the funds meet needs and asked whether the funding amount would be sufficient. Councilwoman Lynch and Vice President Jordan urged continued investment, with Lynch calling the $500,000 an important start but noting it is not enough given monthly eviction dockets that can include around 200 families.
The item was on the meeting’s consent agenda (Item 3, listed by the clerk as ordinance 20 25 0 0 1) and was adopted when the council approved the consent agenda by roll call. The consent vote as recorded on the transcript shows a unanimous roll call with nine council members recorded as voting yes. The transcript contains no subsequent amendment or separate roll-call tally for the individual ordinance.
Why it matters: Local funding for tenant representation can change eviction outcomes and housing stability. Advocates told council that many tenants in eviction court lack counsel and that providing representation improves equity in proceedings.
Action recorded: Ordinance (consent agenda item 3) allocating $500,000 to Central Virginia Legal Aid Society to provide eviction-court attorneys was adopted as part of the consent agenda; recorded roll-call vote on the consent agenda showed unanimous approval by council members present.
