Celebrating Community Development Block Grant's 50th Anniversary and Fair Housing Month

HCD and the City of Richmond could not undertake the work or offer the needed services for our residents without the collaboration of our community partners. We are exceedingly grateful for their ongoing partnerships.  To that end, HCD will share “Stories from the Field” to highlight the work that our partners do every day to assist Richmonders but especially as it relates to National Community Development and Fair Housing Month.

Today HCD will be highlighting Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity and CARITAS. Check back for more stories about our partners. 

Stories from the Field will appear weekly until the end of April.

 

Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity 

Since 1986, Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) has been partnering with local families and individuals to build more than 390 homes for those in need in the City of Richmond, Henrico County, and Chesterfield County. Richmond Habitat brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Our vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. 

As a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call their home, Habitat believes affordable housing plays a role that is critical in building strong and stable communities. By coordinating and working with dedicated volunteers, community partners, and corporate sponsors, families are able to purchase and move into houses they help build themselves. 

In addition to helping their partner families build and purchase their homes, Richmond Habitat provides critical home repairs ranging from accessibility upgrades to roof repairs to our community members. Types of repairs are dependent upon the grant requirements from each locality. 

Habitat helps as many families as it can, but the lack of affordable, safe housing remains a critical problem in Richmond and the surrounding area. Monetary donations and gifts in kind of goods and services enable Habitat to continue their mission of breaking the cycle of poverty by providing affordable homes. At the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, there are several ways that an individual or interested group can help the Richmond community – from donating your time, money, car, or even your old couch.  

Richmond Habitat has two ReStore locations: 1201 Mall Drive, Chesterfield, VA 23235 and 1901 Roane Street, Richmond, VA 23222. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail prices. This is possible through generous donations with all proceeds from those sales helping to further Habitat’s mission. 

By volunteering, donating, or shopping with Richmond Habitat, you can help local homeowners achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families. Please consider seeing how you can get involved with Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity by visiting their website at https://richmondhabitat.org/.  

Homeowner Testimonials 

“Words can’t express enough what homeownership means to us. We are happy and blessed for this opportunity.” - Stephanie, a Habitat Homeowner 

“I’m grateful for this program. There aren’t a lot of programs like it. I want you guys to know this means a lot to my daughter. She’s been asking for us to move into a home for 6 years…I was so happy to give her the good news.” - Marchalla, a Habitat Homeowner 

 

Richmond Habitat Pride Build

 

Richmond Habitat Home Dedication 

 

 

 

CARITAS

 CARITAS Shelter Richmond Virginia

 

CARITAS is the largest provider of 24/7 shelter and recovery services in the Richmond region, maintaining the longest-running adult shelter in the area. For nearly 40 years, the CARITAS low-barrier shelter has served some of the highest-need clients experiencing chronic homelessness. The hard work of volunteers, case managers, and partner agencies helps their shelter guests find not only the necessities for survival but discover tools for success. Participants get the help they need to get off the street, back on their feet, and on the path to self-sufficiency. 

In 2023, CARITAS welcomed 510 men and women into their Emergency Shelter for a total of 15,639 nights of shelter. Through case management in the CARITAS Shelter, the organization helped 99 people transition to stable housing in 2023.  

Valda is a former CARITAS Shelter participant who found a safe place to heal and rebuild at the CARITAS Shelter. 

Client Testimony

“When I started this journey, I had no idea it would be so life-changing,” says Valda. 

Valda was working hard to leave an abusive relationship and the CARITAS Emergency Shelter assisted her in doing that safely. When Valda first came to the shelter, Dianna Thomas greeted her. 

“We had been friends for more than 30 years and the fact that she was the first face I saw when I got in here was like a comforting blanket,” says Valda. 

That was in early 2020 when the CARITAS Women’s Shelter was still mobile, which, at the time, required guests to move from place to place each week. Then the pandemic hit and Valda moved to the Boys & Girls Club where CARITAS Women’s Shelter participants sheltered in place until the Women’s Emergency Shelter opened in the new CARITAS Center in December 2020. 

“It was so hard to find housing so I moved in with my daughter,” she says. “After her circumstances changed, I came back to CARITAS in December 2021, knowing the doors were still open.” 

Having a stationary bed with a dresser for her personal belongings made Valda feel at home as she worked with the CARITAS staff to connect to critical resources including medical care, social security, and even a computer for her remote-work job. “They gave me the ability to save some money,” she says. “I was able to pay off debt and get a car.” 

When Valda was ready to find a permanent home, CARITAS staff connected her to emergency housing vouchers, a grant, and more. Valda says she formed strong bonds with other shelter participants, as well. They still go out to eat together every month and she plans to have them over for a housewarming party soon. 

“CARITAS gave me the ability to be confident and comfortable in myself,” Valda says. “I am so grateful to CARITAS for all of their support.” 

 

                            HomeAgain

Established in 1980, Emergency Shelter, Inc., operating as HomeAgain, stands as an integral ally within the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC), steadfast in its mission to assist individuals and families grappling with homelessness in finding their way back to secure housing. 

At HomeAgain, they take pride in their comprehensive approach, ensuring that the distinctive needs of each individual or family are met with tailored permanent housing solutions. HomeAgain’s array of programs encompasses Emergency Shelter Programs, a Rapid Rehousing Program, and Permanent Supportive Housing Program. 

In the realm of Emergency Shelter Programs, they offer temporary housing coupled with diligent case management to those facing a housing crisis. The Espigh Family Shelter, accommodating 35 women and children (families), provided refuge to 164 individuals throughout the fiscal year 2022-2023. Similarly, the Men's/Veterans Emergency Shelter extended its support to 20 adult men and 8 veterans, aiding 99 individuals during the same fiscal period. 

The Rapid Rehousing Program, a cornerstone of HomeAgain’s initiatives, extends short-term financial aid and essential supportive services, facilitating the transition of individuals and families from shelters to secure housing. In the fiscal year 2022-2023, this program served 104 clients, guiding them towards stability and independence. 

At the conclusion of fiscal year 2022-2023, their Permanent Supportive Housing Program successfully assisted 54 individuals grappling with chronic homelessness and disabilities in securing and maintaining permanent housing, fortified by long-term subsidy and support services.  HomeAgain’s dedicated staff provides holistic care, encompassing personalized case management services, provision of nutritious meals, access to free on-site laundry facilities, designated learning areas for children, and access to workforce development resources. 

Overall, in fiscal year 2023, HomeAgain extended its support to 437 clients across 271 households, with an impressive 71% successfully transitioning to stable housing. This steadfast commitment underscores the organization’s dedication to empowering individuals and families to reclaim their sense of security and stability. 

Client Testimony

 

Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation

Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation (SCDHC) opened its doors in the Old South District of Richmond, VA in 1988. The organization remains Richmond’s oldest historically Black-led nonprofit community development corporation which engages in developing single- and multi-family housing and housing counseling services for households at or below 80% area median income. SCDHC began with an earnest desire to revitalize the Old South District, once a thriving urban community that had declined and gained a reputation as one of Richmond’s most poverty-stricken and crime-ridden communities. With the help of grant funding and partners, SCDHC successfully catalyzed the transformation of the Old South District of Richmond from a community of blighted neighborhoods into a functioning, mixed-income community of families with hope. 

SCDHC launched their HUD-approved Housing Counseling Center in 1998. In 2019, they expanded their social programs to include Virginia's first English/Spanish bilingual Financial Opportunity Center. Their mission is to create thriving and sustainable communities, and we take a holistic approach to achieve this. SCDHC provides a range of services, including residential and commercial development, homeownership education and counseling, financial counseling and coaching, employment services, technology training, and supportive programs to low-income families throughout Central Virginia. 

Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation is a lead agency in advancing racial equity in Richmond, focusing their work on historically Black and disinvested neighborhoods. Since 1988 we have developed over 750 units of affordable housing, including over 450 single-family homes, assisted over 10,000 first-time homebuyers purchase their first home, and helped over 2,000 low-income homeowners avoid foreclosure. 
 
Success Story

A distressed client approached SCDHC seeking help to save her rented home that she had lived in with her family for over a decade. The landlord was ready to sell the property and told the client she would either have to purchase the home or find another place to rent. In the midst of this distressing news, the client separated from her spouse and realized she would now have to qualify for the house on her own. This news caused the client to become very anxious and upset.

The client was adamant about staying in this house because she considered it her sanctuary and a stable environment for her and her family. She was assured by her SCDHC’s HUD-Certified Housing Counselor that the organization would provide exceptional assistance to help her achieve her goal of purchasing this home. The client cooperated fully with the necessary procedures to qualify for down payment assistance, but an unexpected setback occurred when the house failed inspection. Because it was an older home, there needed to be repairs to the crawl space, deck and downspouts, electrical upgrades, and caulking around the windows. This resulted in the need to postpone the closing date by an additional three weeks, adding to the client's worries. Additionally, her down payment assistance was temporarily put on hold. 

Thanks to the client's determination and the guidance provided by her counselor, she was able to address the repairs on time, despite the challenges. The client was very happy when the home was able to pass a successful reinspection, and subsequently obtained City of Richmond down payment assistance of $30,000.

On February 15, 2024, the client closed on her home, marking a significant milestone in her journey. The client's determination, combined with the unwavering support from SCDHC and the City of Richmond DPA, ultimately led to a successful outcome that brought joy and stability to the client and her family’s life.
 
The Hollands Phase II – Built in 2023

 

YWCA Richmond 

Rupa Murthy, CEO of YWCA Richmond joined the agency nearly 9 years ago. YW’s mission of empowering women and eliminating racism drew her to the work – which includes providing resources, including safe, violence free housing and resources for survivors and their children who experience domestic violence. Building healthy relationship skills, workforce navigation, and providing childcare has been part of the YW’s work for 144 years. Rupa is grateful to lead this agency and the incredibly talented people who work with her daily. 

Urban Hope

Founded in 2000, Urban Hope is a housing nonprofit that partners with clients to gain financial health, secure safe, quality, affordable rental housing, and chart pathways to homeownership. Their work is inspired by Christian faith, led by and centered on residents, and focused on the East End of Richmond, VA. In a rapidly changing neighborhood, Urban Hope prioritizes racial equity, are committed to anti-displacement practices and policies, and seeks to build towards an inclusive and just community where everyone can find a home.  

In the last year, Urban Hope completed the new construction of two duplexes, one on a lot awarded by the City’s Land Bank, in partnership with the affordable developer, project: HOMES. Urban Hope completed a capital campaign to renovate a vacant church building into their new headquarters. Ten families moved from the instability of invisible homelessness or homelessness, cost-burdened housing, or threat of displacement due to the real estate market into an affordable rental with Urban Hope. One tenant became a first-time homebuyer through the great counseling of their staff, and several more households are on their way through Urban Hope’s pilot homeowner programs and the financial strides folks are making due to affordable rent. 

Because of the impact of Urban Hope and/or affordable housing, 87% of their tenants feel more safe, 97% feel more stable, 93% are more able to afford their home than their previous living situation, 87% report less stress related to finances, 97% report making progress towards their financial goals, 89% report having better economic opportunities, 83% report having better educational opportunities, and 73% report feeling healthier overall. 

In the words of Urban Hope’s tenant who bought her first home in November 2023: 

“I feel like I finally have something to offer my family.  Whether it's the information needed to move out of poverty or how to purchase a home or hopefully, have a home to call your own.  Knowing that my life and labor won't be in vain, that I may have accomplished something that will make their moving forward a little easier, is all to the glory of God!  I started my adult life with bad credit (not of my own doing) and knowing I can help position my grandchildren with a better future, means all the world to me.”   

 Ms. Sims at her loan closing                              

615 N. 30th Street

Metropolitan Business League 

The Metropolitan Business League (MBL) is a nonprofit, membership-based business association serving Central Virginia with a focus on small, women-owned and minority-owned businesses. We currently have more than 1300 members that are located in the metro Richmond area, City of Petersburg, and Brunswick County. All members from youth entrepreneurs and veteran entrepreneurs to young professionals are offered an array of programming activities monthly. 

MBL focuses on 3 pillars: education, increased procurement opportunities, and access to capital. The Capital Access Program- a portfolio of funding which consists of grants and micro loans continues to gain national attention and is a modeled program throughout Virginia.  

MBL is a trusted resource for entrepreneurs who are working to establish themselves in this business ecosystem and those who are more seasoned and need help scaling their business.  

The Metropolitan Business League is now a Kauffman Affiliate and offers the FastTrack curriculum for startup and existing businesses. This ten-week course/cohort allows participants to sharpen their entrepreneurial skills by delving into many distinct aspects of owning a business.  

MBL’s commitment to education is unwavering. Through partnerships with organizations like The Kauffman Foundation and our innovative Youth Entrepreneurship Program, we empower future leaders to thrive.  

Before the end of this calendar year, MBL will have given more than 2 million dollars in grants and micro loans and will have helped many local small businesses with securing more than 2 million dollars in local, state and federal contracts. Also, by the end of the year, MBL’s membership numbers will also increase to 2,000, with members across the commonwealth. MBL now has 20 staff members who are assigned to our 3 satellite offices, with a fourth location in Norfolk to open in the coming months. 

The City is excited about the strategic direction of the organization and the future of the MBL. They are a valuable part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem within the City and State. We, along with MBL, looks forward to the organization’s expansion and ability to assist more small businesses, especially in the City of Richmond.  

 

MBL Youth Entrepreneurship Program and MBL YEP Program Leaders

Grand Opening of Office at 1717 E. Cary Street 

MBL President & CEO Floyd E. Miller, II with MBL Board of Directors

Richmond Behavioral Authority 

At the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) we know that Housing is a Right! Embracing the Housing First Model, RBHA understands that when we meet the basic need for housing that we can then provide necessary supports to help an individual address other areas of importance in their lives.  

The Housing and Homeless Services Department at RBHA operates multiple programs to assist in connecting individuals to stable housing. These programs include but are not limited to their Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program, PATH program, and our Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program through the City’s Housing and Community Development Department.  

Our PSH program is designed to connect individuals to housing that are diagnosed with a serious mental illness. By placing them in housing we can then connect them to services to address their physical and mental health without the added burden of worrying about their housing. 

Our PATH program is designed to engage Homeless individuals or those who are at risk of being homeless and refer or link those individuals to the necessary resources including but not limited to: mainstream services and public resources like mental health treatment and permanent housing.    

Our Transitional Family Housing program, funded with CDBG funds, is designed to provide outreach and intensive case management to families presently staying in local shelters. The program assists these families with obtaining permanent housing and providing support services for six months after a family is housed.    

RBHA has operated the Residential Support for Homeless Families Program for over three decades utilizing CDBG funding. The following are testimonies from families assisted through the program: 

“To whom it may concern, I really just wanted to speak on how appreciative I am of the services Ms. Robinette Reeves rendered for me moving into my new apartment. Ms. Reeves continuous help along the way and just her support and overall guidance has just made this whole experience worthwhile. I’m forever grateful for this new beginning, TW 02/08/2024”. 

Ms. Reaves, I am thankful that you have chosen to help my children and I during one of the most difficult, most stressful, challenging times in our lives. Trying to find housing has been extremely exhausting and draining, but your support has made a significant difference during this time, and I just want to say my family and I sincerely appreciate it. Thank you, 
CH 02/06/2024”. 

Through our continued partnership with HCD we hope to be able to continue to operate the Residential Support for Homeless Families program to continue to support fair housing for all families.