Officials with Richmond’s public housing authority told city council members Monday that heating is currently being installed in the more than 50 units that have been without it. The head of the agency recently stepped down amid the ongoing controversy that’s now led to a larger conversation about the city’s public housing.
About 10,000 Richmond residents live in public housing. The buildings are, on average, more than 60 years old.
In an informal meeting Monday, Councilman Michael Jones says that going forward the agency needs to be more transparent about maintenance and funding issues.
“Because if we do nothing we’re going to continue have the same issues,” Jones said. “The next CEO will have the same issues, and the one after that person will have some of those same issues.”
Art Burton is executive director of Kinfolk Community, a nonprofit that works in the housing communities. He’s hoping the city takes this opportunity to re-evaluate the entire system.
“We have to have a policy that cares about people and addresses the suffering first,” said Burton.
In a written update provided to council members, RRHA’s board chair says the only long-term solution is total replacement of the deteriorating buildings.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
