Helpful resources.
How collaboration turned Henrico County’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund from concept to catalyst Introduction Henrico County created the Affordable Housing Trust Fund with a clear purpose: to make homeownership attainable for the families who keep the community running — and to prove that affordability and quality can coexist. The Fund represents a $60 million commitment from the County to…
Article | From VPM News, this article provides the historical contexts for redlining and restrictive covenants that were established in cities across the country in the 20th century to discriminate against minorities, as well as their continued impacts today. Source: VPM News
Article, Video | This VPM News Focal Point video explores how historic policies such as redlining have contributed to a significant wealth and homeownership gap for Black Americans today, but also highlights an increase in homeownership among Black millennials. Source: VPM News
Video, Documentary | To most Americans, public housing and urban poverty are “issues” that remain out of sight and out of mind. This VPM documentary follows five people who live in public housing communities, where they tell their own stories of surviving and thriving. Source: VPM News
Podcast | An interview with Jovan Burton, Executive Director of the Partnership for Housing Affordability. Discussion points include the benefits of more affordable housing units being available and how individuals can support local affordable housing efforts. Source: VPM News
Podcast | An interview on housing discrimination—past and present—with two experts from HOME of Virginia, a non-profit organization for equal housing opportunities. They discuss methods for identifying and combating discrimination when it takes place. Source: VPM News
Podcast | An interview with Steven Nesmith, CEO of the Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority, on the future of public housing in the city. Topics include engaging with residents to inform plans, deconcentrating poverty and public-private partnerships. Source: VPM News
Article | This news story reveals a nationwide correlation between historically redlined neighborhoods and an increased likelihood for its residents to experience adverse health effects, due in large part to a lack of access to health-promoting resources. Source: VPM News
Video | This VPM News Focal Point video highlights how one resident of Richmond’s public housing was able to move into a single-family home by collaborating with Urban Hope, a local non-profit organization focused on providing affordable housing opportunities. Source: VPM News
Podcast | An interview with Ben Teresa, co-director of the RVA Eviction Lab at VCU, and David Tisel, a lawyer offering pro-bono tenant representation, to discuss the epidemic of evictions in Richmond and explain why the current system is failing residents. Source: VPM News
Learning from others.
RVA Rising has been gathering information from regions throughout the country who are working to improve quality of life in their own communities, just like we are. Take Charlotte, NC, for example. They have a similar program that’s based on regional growth, education, and opportunities for local youth. Make no mistake – our plan of action is specific to our own needs, values and culture in the RVA region. But it’s helpful to get support from other places who can help us push our ideas and accelerate our progress here at home.
