The City of Richmond has allocated over $9 million from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) to support affordable housing initiatives. The funding includes $7 million directed toward eight housing projects that will increase the availability of affordable homes, and $2.2 million for the Healthy Homes Rehabilitation program.
The Healthy Homes program, started in 2024, offers grants to eligible homeowners for repairs that improve home sustainability and affordability. With this new funding, more residents across Richmond will be able to benefit from the program, helping them remain in their homes and supporting the city’s long-term housing stock.
“Addressing our housing crisis is not a matter of choosing between development and preservation, but a thoughtful combination of both,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “Our City needs new, affordable units to accommodate a growing population, but it also needs to protect the people and the homes that are already here. This round of funding is a reflection of that important strategy.”
Eight projects were chosen from more than 20 applicants and are expected to create nearly 600 affordable housing units in various neighborhoods throughout Richmond.
Funding recipients include Genesis Properties with 77 units ($1 million), Maggie Walker Community Land Trust with two separate awards for 7 units ($175,000) and 20 units ($450,000), The Hanson Company with 50 units ($689,026), SupportWorks Housing with 82 units ($1 million), Elmington with 246 units ($1.5 million), Pennrose with 50 units ($1 million), and Douglas Development with 48 units ($1.2 million).
“This funding is consistent with Mayor Avula’s stated goals of providing access to quality affordable housing for Richmonders across all income levels,” said Director of Housing and Community Development Merrick Malone. “We are providing affordable housing to accommodate our growing population while also preserving homes for our long-term residents who want to remain in the City.”
The Department of Housing and Community Development evaluated project applications based on readiness, location, target population, developer experience, and capacity. Projects meeting minimum requirements advanced for further consideration; those not selected received feedback on improving future applications.
“Housing is front of mind for residents in my district and across the City,” said 6th District Councilmember and AHTF Board Chair Ellen Robertson. “They are concerned about the housing supply, they are concerned about affordability, they are concerned about getting priced out of a neighborhood they have called home their whole lives. This funding is a small, but important, way that we can start to address those concerns and show our residents that we are not only creating new housing units but working to protect the units that are here.”
Established by Richmond in 2004 as part of its strategy on affordable housing development in partnership with nonprofit and private developers, the AHTF uses multiple sources of funds for both support services and production aimed at low- to moderate-income residents.
