The City of Richmond is proud to announce the launch of the fourth cohort of the Richmond Resilience Initiative (RRI) Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) Program. Starting today, eligible residents can apply to receive $500 per month for 24 months — no strings attached.

Launched in 2020 by the Office of Community Wealth Building (OCWB) and the Robins Foundation, the Richmond Resilience Initiative is a local Guaranteed Basic Income program aimed at reducing financial instability for working families. RRI is a member of a growing national movement that includes Mayors for a Guaranteed Income founded by former Stockton, California Mayor Michael Tubbs, to demonstrate the power of direct, unrestricted cash assistance in helping families achieve greater financial independence and reduce stress.

This cohort will focus on supporting single parents, including guardians with custody, stepparents, foster parents, and others who serve as the primary caregivers in their households.

OCWB found that residents participating in the RRI program have used their monthly payments to meet essential needs, pay down debt, invest in education, and create stability for their families. This is just one example of how the City of Richmond is committed to advancing anti-poverty efforts.

“In Richmond, we believe everyone has a right to thrive, not just survive. The Richmond Resilience Initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a city where families have the stability and support they need to build a better future. This is about trust, dignity, and ensuring our residents have the resources to move forward with confidence,” said Mayor Danny Avula.

To check for eligibility and apply, City of Richmond residents can visit go.rva.gov/rri-2025. The application period is open through June 30, 2025.

For more information or questions, please contact the RRI team at rri@rva.gov.

May 23, 2025

Impacted taxpayers can call the lender to verify payment in 10-14 days

Richmond, VA — Today, the City of Richmond's Department of Finance completed sending real estate tax bills to mortgage lenders. For taxpayers whose lenders typically pay the bill on their behalf, no further action is required. Taxpayers who directly pay their real estate tax bill should do so before June 16.

Once lenders receive the bill, they will typically remit payment to the City of Richmond within one business week. Taxpayers can call their lender to verify payment in 10-14 days.

If you have already paid your real estate tax bill and your lender also pays this year's bill, you can request a refund from the Department of Finance by following the below steps:

1. Visit rva311.com
2. Search for "real estate" in the search box
3. Tap "Real Estate Taxes" in the "Create a Request" menu that pops up
4. Tap "Continue" in the Real Estate Taxes overview screen
5. Fill out the form as follows:
   • Subtype: "Refund"
   • Inquiry for current year or prior year?: "Current Year"
   • Requesting research or real estate payment refund?: "Refund Request"
   • Description or Justification for Request: E.g. "I paid my real estate tax bill and so did my lender. I would like to request a refund."
   • Upload Images: If possible upload an image of your payment and an image of your bank's payment.

If you need assistance with any of these steps, please call 311.

Mayor Danny Avula has also committed to bringing in an external expert to review the Department of Finance's processes and procedures. Additionally, the City is planning to update impacted taxpayers directly via mail and/or email as soon as possible.

Departamento de Finanzas realiza el envío de facturas de impuestos sobre bienes raíces a compañías hipotecarias

Los contribuyentes afectados pueden llamar a su compañía hipotecaria para verificar el pago dentro de 10 a 14 días

Richmond, Virginia — Hoy, el Departamento de Finanzas de la Ciudad de Richmond completó el envío de facturas de impuestos sobre bienes raíces a las compañías hipotecarias. Para los contribuyentes cuyas compañías hipotecarias generalmente pagan la factura en su nombre, no se requiere que tomen ninguna acción adicional. Los contribuyentes que pagan directamente su factura de impuestos sobre bienes raíces deben hacerlo antes del 16 de junio.

vez que las compañías hipotecarias reciben la factura, generalmente remitirán el pago a la ciudad de Richmond dentro de una semana hábil. Los contribuyentes pueden llamar a su compañía para verificar el pago dentro de 10 a 14 días.

Si ya ha pagado su factura de impuestos sobre bienes raíces y su compañía hipotecaria también paga la factura de este año, puede solicitar un reembolso al Departamento de Finanzas, llamando al 311 o 804-646-7000 y oprima 2 para atención en español.

El alcalde Danny Avula también se ha comprometido a traer a un experto externo para revisar los procesos y procedimientos del Departamento de Finanzas. Además, la Ciudad proporcionará información actualizada a los contribuyentes afectados a través de comunicaciones por correo postal y/o correo electrónico lo antes posible.

May 23, 2025

DCAO Sharon Ebert to Serve as Acting CAO

Today, Mayor Danny Avula announced his nomination of Sharon Ebert to serve as Acting Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). She currently serves as the Deputy CAO (DCAO) for Planning & Economic Development.

Ebert manages several City agencies including Housing & Community Development, Economic Development, Planning & Development Review, Minority Business Development, and the Office of Sustainability. Under Ms. Ebert's tenure with Richmond, she has overseen the adoption of the Richmond 300 – A Guide for Growth and helped guide the re-organization of the City's Permitting and Inspection Bureau. Ms. Ebert has been instrumental in orchestrating the redevelopment of the city-owned 67-acre Diamond District, as well as the planning and redevelopment of the City Center Innovation District. She has over 40 years of professional experience in design, construction, urban planning, affordable housing, and economic development. She joined the City of Richmond in March 2019.

City Council will vote on her confirmation at its scheduled June 9th meeting.

"Sharon has a whip-smart, encyclopedic knowledge of what makes cities work," said Mayor Danny Avula. "I'm so thankful she's willing to step in for a short time before our new CAO officially starts. I know we're in good hands."

Henrico's Deputy County Manager for Administration to Serve as Richmond's Acting DCAO of Finance & Administration

On loan from Henrico County, W. Brandon Hinton will serve as the City's Acting DCAO for Finance & Administration.

Hinton is Henrico County's Deputy County Manager for Administration. He began his decades-long career of public service with Henrico County as an entry-level budget analyst in 2003, was named Director of the Office of Management and Budget in 2012, and was promoted to his current role in 2018.

Hinton will return to the County later this summer.

"When I reached out to the County Manager to see if he'd be open to loaning us Brandon for a couple of months, he had absolutely zero hesitation. His willingness to lend a hand and Brandon's willingness to serve his neighbors in Richmond are a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together," said Mayor Danny Avula.

Sabrina Joy-Hogg currently serves as Richmond's Interim CAO and DCAO of Finance & Administration and will do so until her last day with the City on June 6.

Mark your calendars: June 6

After a competitive national search, Mayor Danny Avula will introduce Richmond to his CAO appointee on June 6. City Council will vote on confirmation of the nominee at Council's meeting on June 9.

"Richmond, get excited! I cannot wait for you to meet your new CAO! You're going to love them, and we're going to do great things together," said Mayor Danny Avula. "I promised to conduct national search for a top-talent CAO, I've kept that promise, and I know this one is a home run."

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

An Interim CAO and Interim DCAO of Finance and Administration will be appointed in the coming weeks.

Richmond, VA — Today, Interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sabrina Joy-Hogg announced that she will resign from the City of Richmond effective June 6. An Interim CAO and Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) of Finance & Administration will be appointed in the coming weeks. The national search for a permanent CAO is in the final stage with the candidate soon to be announced.

Joy-Hogg joined the City of Richmond in 2022 and led the work toward achieving the City's first-ever AAA bond rating. She leaves a legacy that include many improvements toward making Richmond an employer of choice, particularly the Marathon Health clinic which provides easy-to-access—and often free—health services to City staff. Her experience in municipal governments in Hampton, Norfolk, and Charlotte have been a great asset in the City's budgetary processes.

"As I prepare to close this chapter, I do so with immense pride in what we've achieved together. From raising the City's minimum wage and successfully transitioning to the Virginia Retirement System, to creating a $10 million capital improvement fund, and developing a bond strategy to expand affordable housing, we've made lasting improvements. We made history by recognizing International Women's Day as a City holiday—the first in the nation to do so. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I leave with deep gratitude and full confidence in the extraordinary path ahead," said Interim CAO Sabrina Joy-Hogg.

"Sabrina's dedication to achieving a balanced budget and her institutional knowledge were a tremendous help in the early months of my administration. I'm thankful for her dedication over these past five months and wish her continued success in her new role," said Mayor Danny Avula.

On May 21, 2025, the Trust for Public Lands released their fourteenth Park Score Index for park districts across the country. In the 2024 national index of America’s 100 most populous cities, the City of Richmond now ranks #16 in access to high quality park spaces, up from #22 in 2023.

This annual report measures park systems on access, investment, amenities, acreage, and equity. For the 2024 Park Score Index, Richmond scored 69.9 points out of 100 based on the five categories, with 15 measures where points can be awarded. The updated ranking is a 6-point move from 2023 and is 26 points higher than the 2018 score.  Richmond’s increase in the park access and resources is a result of intersecting objectives: 

1. Increased investment that looked at the aggregate parks and recreation spending, including volunteer hours. In 2023, the City spent $135 per capita versus the $186 per capita that the City spent in 2024.
2. Increased city-wide amenities which includes basketball courts, sports fields, splash pads, and playgrounds.

“Our parks are more than just green spaces — they’re where we reimagine what Richmond can be,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “They come to life through the hard work of City staff and the deep commitment of community partners who are creating spaces for belonging, health, and joy. As we celebrate this ranking, we’re really celebrating the people who show up every day to make our parks places where Richmond’s story is written — together.”

Richmond saw the largest increase in points in the Amenities category earning 92 out of 100 points, an increase of 45 points from the 2023 score. The city also has increased the per capita spending for Parks and Recreation from $135 per resident to $186 per resident as calculated on a three-year average.

“Richmond’s park score reflects the incredible progress we’ve made in making our city one of the best places to live, play, and connect,” said Chris Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. “This achievement is the result of strong leadership from the Administration and City Council — and it wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing support of our community partners, residents, and the dedicated PRCF team who work every day to make our parks welcoming and vibrant for everyone.”

To read the entire report, please visit the Trust for Public Land website. For more information about the department, follow PRCF on Facebook, X and Instagram or visit our website.