As summer temperatures rise and during heat waves, the City of Richmond is providing various options to help residents stay cool and safe. The City of Richmond has a number of cooling stations located across the City designed to provide residents with a place to retreat from the heat. Residents can find relief at Richmond Public Libraries, Parks and Recreation outdoor pools, and the Department of Social Services. Additionally, when temperatures hit 92°F or higher, the City of Richmond activates a walk-up Inclement Weather Shelter at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23222.

Protect yourself from extreme heat by staying cool, hydrated, and aware of the risk factors and warning signs of heat-related illness. Learn more at: ready.gov/summer-ready

Week-long initiative highlighting programs, resources, and partnerships that help Richmonders stay in their homes and communities begins on Monday, June 8    

Mayor Danny Avula, the City of Richmond, Richmond City Councilmember Ellen Robertson, and community partners have announced Richmond’s Anti-Displacement Week, a week-long series of events and educational opportunities beginning Monday, June 8, 2026. Anti-Displacement Week focuses on more ways for Richmonders to stay in their homes and communities as the city continues to grow. 

Anti-Displacement Week will highlight local programs, resources, and partnerships that are designed to prevent displacement, increase housing stability, and ensure that Richmond’s growth benefits longtime residents. Displacement generally refers to the involuntary loss of housing or the need to leave a neighborhood or community. 

“Our goal is simple: more homes for more people and more ways for Richmonders to stay in the communities they love,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “Anti-Displacement Week shines a spotlight on the incredible work our community partners are doing every day to help residents remain in safe and stable housing. This week is an opportunity to connect Richmonders with the resources, programs, and people working to keep our neighborhoods strong and inclusive.” 

Richmond City Councilmember Ellen Robertson underscored the importance of anti-displacement efforts. “Anti-Displacement Week is vital for both longtime residents and newcomers. As Richmond grows, we must ensure that everyone has the opportunity to stay rooted, to thrive, and to benefit from the city’s progress. That’s why I raised concerns about displacement early on, and partnered with Housing Opportunities Made Equal of VA on a displacement study and later patroned Resolution 2025-R043 directing the administration to inventory existing anti-displacement programs and services. Understanding the scope of the challenge is essential to developing effective solutions, and I’m proud to support initiatives like Anti-Displacement Week that keep this issue at the forefront of our work,” said Councilmember Robertson.  

Anti-Displacement Week builds upon Councilmember Robertson’s Resolution 2025-R043 and the City’s subsequently released report, An Inventory of Programs and Initiatives that Mitigate the Displacement of Residents, prepared by the Department of Housing and Community Development and released in March 2026. The report catalogs the City’s existing anti-displacement strategies and programs to help residents remain housed and connected to their communities. The Program Inventory is divided into four sections:  

• Housing Stability for All Richmonders
• Utilities and Billing Assistance
• Assistance for Homeowners, and
• Community Development

“The Anti-Displacement Report makes clear that while the City has invested substantial financial and human resources into critical anti-displacement efforts, those programs have not always been coordinated or fully utilized by the residents they are meant to support,” said Merrick Malone, Director, Housing and Community Development. “These findings give us an urgent mandate to streamline and realign our work so we can deploy resources more effectively, strengthen protections for vulnerable households, and deliver on the Administration’s commitment to keeping Richmonders in their homes.” 

Anti-Displacement Week Events

In-Person Tax Relief Support Sessions Hosted by the City's Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) 

The City of Richmond’s Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) is dedicated to supporting older adults and individuals with disabilities so they can live as independently, safely, and fully as possible in the Richmond community. The office provides information and referral assistance and care coordination to community-based services that allow people to age in place, and access to supports for those with disabilities, caregivers, and their families. OADS achieves this by partnering with various organizations to enhance the well-being of Richmond's residents.  

Throughout Anti-Displacement Week, the City’s Office of Aging and Disability Services will provide information and direct assistance to older adults and people with disabilities who may be at heightened risk of displacement. At the following community events, OADS staff will offer onsite support, including tax relief applications and guidance on how to apply. 

Community members are invited to attend these free events. Registration is not required.  

Tuesday, June 9, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.   

AARP Richmond North Chapter Meeting 

Pine Camp Cultural Arts & Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Road  

Wednesday, June 10, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  

Richmond City TRIAD Meeting 

Ebenezer Baptist Church, 216 West Leigh St. 

Thursday, June 11, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.   

The City of Richmond’s Aging and Disability Advisory Board Meeting 

Office of Aging and Disability Services; 7945 Forest Hill Avenue, Building 26 (adjacent to Huguenot High School) 

For more information on these events contact OADS at (804) 646-1082 or oads@rva.gov.

Homes for All Our Neighbors Workshops and Community Programs

Anti-Displacement Week also features workshops and trainings to support renters who may be facing housing instability, and share information about what displacement is, who is impacted, and what we can do to prevent it. 

“Eviction and rising rents are pushing Richmonders out of their homes, and tenants are often the last to know what protections they actually have. Know-your-rights trainings change that. When renters understand the law, they can challenge unsafe conditions and defend themselves against eviction,” said Laura Dobbs, Director of Policy at Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME of VA). “Put simply, it's the difference between losing and keeping a home. In a tight rental market where the advantage is heavily tilted toward landlords, knowledge is one of the most powerful anti-displacement tools tenants have.” 

Members of the public are invited to the following events: 

Wednesday, June 10, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.   

Conozca Sus Derechos: Spanish-Language Tenants’ Rights Workshop (TRW)

For information on location and registration, contact Annika Schunn: aschunn@homeofva.org 

Thursday, June 11, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.   

Community Conversation: Preventing Displacement 

Studio Two Three, 109 W 15th St, Richmond, VA 23224 

Friday, June 12, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.   

Virtual Training: Tenants’ Rights for Organizers and Advocates 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/stxEkhQiQfOIKSDtBhJEEw   

Visit homesforallourneighbors.org/calendar to learn more and register.

Help for Richmonders: Legal Resources, Eviction Protection, and Utilities Assistance

• Richmonders who are facing eviction can apply for assistance from the City-funded Eviction Diversion program 
• Richmonders who may need legal assistance for a housing matter can apply for assistance from the City-funded Right to Counsel program 
• Richmonders who would like to enter a payment plan for past-due utility balances can find assistance by visiting DPU partnership with PromisePay 

About Richmond Anti-Displacement Week

Richmond Anti-Displacement Week is a collaborative initiative led by the City of Richmond in partnership with community organizations and housing advocates. The week is dedicated to raising awareness, connecting residents to resources, and supporting housing stability for Richmonders. 

Learn more about Anti-Displacement Week on rva.gov  

New platform will increase transparency, save staff time, and improve the customer experience for requestors  

Richmond, VA — Today, Mayor Danny Avula announced the official launch of the City of Richmond’s new platform for handling Freedom of Information Act requests. The new platform handles the entire FOIA request lifecycle, from the initial request to collecting responsive records, redaction, review, and (if necessary) payment. While other methods for submitting requests are still available (in-person, by phone), the City is excited to offer a more convenient option. 

Residents and members of the media can access the new platform here: rva.gov/foia . FOIA requests for records owned by the Richmond Police Department should continue to be directed to rpd.foia@rva.gov . 

“The City’s approach to FOIA has improved dramatically over the last 18 months. Sharing public information promptly with the media and our residents is a priority that I have made clear throughout the administration. We’ve increased training across the organization, hired a new FOIA manager, and I’ve communicated repeatedly to leadership in my cabinet meetings that FOIA is not only just a legal requirement but a responsibility we need to take seriously. This work takes time and careful consideration to manage properly and now we have the serious technology tools to support that work,” said Mayor Danny Avula .  

“This is so exciting!” said Ross Catrow, Director of the Office of Strategic Communications . “I’ve been on the pilot for the new platform over the last few weeks, and it’s going to be a game-changer for the way the City handles FOIA. Shout-out to our FOIA Manager, who led the City to today’s launch. I’m grateful and proud of her work!” 

The City’s FOIA Library, as required by the ORD. 2025-240, introduced by the Mayor last year, will launch in full in the coming weeks, ahead of the July 1 deadline. The FOIA Library will make frequently requested records and records of public interest easily available, free of charge. Members of the public can preview the library here: go.rva.gov/foialibrary . 

FOIA by the numbers  

Over the last several months, the number of requests the City has taken an extension on has decreased, and the vast majority of the City’s requests are completed on time. 

* Almost all of the late requests from November, December, and February were assigned to the Richmond Police Department, who were facing staff capacity issues when it comes to reviewing records.  

New platform will increase transparency, save staff time, and improve the customer experience for requestors  

Richmond, VA — In celebration of Sunshine Week, the City of Richmond is incredibly excited to begin piloting a new, citywide Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) platform: JustFOIA. This platform provides an easy-to-use interface for both requestors and the City’s FOIA officers who fulfill those requests. JustFOIA handles the entire request lifecycle, from the initial request, to collecting responsive records, redaction, review, and (if necessary) payment. While other methods for submitting requests are still available (in-person, by phone), the City is excited to offer a more convenient option. 

“I'm proud of the work we’ve done to improve the City’s approach to FOIA over the last year. We’ve increased training across the organization, solidified our cross-departmental procedures, and I’ve made it abundantly clear to department leadership that FOIA is not only just a legal requirement but a responsibility we need to take seriously,” said Mayor Danny Avula.  

The full, public launch will take place this Maymand will include the establishment of the City’s FOIA Library, as required by the ORD. 2025-240, introduced by the Mayor last year. The FOIA Library will make frequently requested records and records of public interest easily available, free of charge. 

“I’m stoked to cut the ribbon on JustFOIA in the next couple of weeks! I want to thank the City’s FOIA Manager and our Department of Information Technology for all the hard work that went into getting this new platform ready to launch,” said Ross Catrow, Director of the Office of Strategic Communications . “I’ve been a part of Richmond’s media landscape for a long time, and it means a lot to me to contribute to making the City’s government more open and transparent.” 

FOIA by the numbers  

Over the last several months, the number of requests the City has taken an extension on has decreased, and the vast majority of the City’s requests are completed on time. 

About JustFOIA  

JustFOIA enables agencies to better serve their community by simplifying records request management. JustFOIA manages every step of the process from intake to delivery, saving valuable time through automating repetitive tasks, reminders, and communication with requesters and responders.  

About Sunshine Week  

Sunshine Week occurs each year in mid-March, coinciding with James Madison’s birthday, March 16 (1751). Madison was a driving force behind the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and presented the first version of the Bill of Rights to Congress. He also was the fourth president of the United States. Sunshine Week helps educate the public, journalists, lawmakers, and others on the right to know in the U.S. states and federal government.  

With high intensity rain events forecasted for the region, the City of Richmond is actively preparing for potential flooding and urges residents and businesses to take precautionary steps to help minimize impacts.

While weather events are beyond our control, the City’s agencies are taking proactive steps to mitigate potential effects. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has deployed crews to inspect and clear storm drains in known trouble spots. Staff remain on-call and are prepared to respond quickly to blocked inlets or drainage issues. Additional signage for flood-prone streets has been staged and is ready for deployment if needed. Residents and businesses are encouraged to play a vital role in flood prevention by keeping storm drains clear of trash, leaves, sediment, cigarette butts, and lawn debris. Blocked inlets can significantly reduce drainage capacity, leading to localized flooding, driving hazards, and property damage even during minor rain events.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is also actively engaged, coordinating signage deployment in areas with known flood risk. While the Magnolia Street flood gate is currently inoperable, signage will be placed to alert drivers. Bainbridge Street flood gates remain operational. Emergency Services Operations (ESO) teams, along with Urban Forestry, Traffic, and Maintenance crews, are on call through the night to respond as needed.

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) will also be monitoring levels in the James River. James River Park System staff have protocols in place ensure the safety of all park users and have been activated with the recent rains. PRCF asks that residents adhere to the posted signage at river entry points.

City departments and partners are receiving regular weather updates and continuing coordinated response efforts to safeguard public infrastructure and community wellbeing. Flooding is a common occurrence during severe rainstorms, and several contributing factors can increase the risk. A full list of those factors is available on the City’s Stormwater Management page www.rva.gov/public-utilities/stormwater-management under the “Floodplain Management” tab. Long-term, the City’s RVAgreen 2050 plan has identified “Reducing risks and impacts to the community and natural environment from extreme precipitation and flooding” as one of its key objectives. The full plan is available at www.rvagreen2050.com/rvagreen-2050-plan.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed by visiting www.rva.gov or following us on Facebook and Instagram @RVAGov. The City of Richmond thanks the community for its cooperation and continued vigilance during this weather event.