Hack for RVA challenges participants to think creatively in addressing City challenges

Richmond, VA — The City of Richmond is proud to join AI Ready RVA, Plan RVA, and VCU School of Business to sponsor Hack for RVA, the City’s first-ever hack-a-thon dedicated to brainstorming and solving our community’s most demanding and persistent challenges.  

From March 27 – 29, 2026, participants will test their technological and creative skillsets to develop actionable, community-centered solutions to problem sets developed by City and community leaders in alignment with the seven pillars from Mayor Danny Avula’s Mayoral Action Plan (MAP) :

•    A thriving City Hall (that gets things done)  
•    Thriving neighborhoods (that meet our housing needs)  
•    Thriving families (where every child succeeds)  
•    A thriving economy (that leaves no one behind)  
•    Thriving and inclusive communities (where everyone’s rights are protected)  
•    A thriving and sustainable built environment (planned for future generations)  
•    A city that tells its stories (and tells the truth about its past)

“Richmond’s challenges are complex, and the best solutions don’t come from any one office or institution alone; they come from listening, collaborating, and acting together,” said Mayor Avula . “Hack for RVA reflects the kind of City we are working to build: one where residents, community organizations, and innovators roll up their sleeves and help shape solutions that are grounded in lived experience and focused on real impact.”  

Unlike traditional hackathons, which focus on speed or technology alone, this 48-hour event will challenge participants to prioritize people, place, and purpose. Creatives, technologists, nonprofit and civic leaders, storytellers, and community members will work across disciplines and lived experiences to dream and develop tech-oriented solutions to combat complex challenges in housing, business, sustainability, and more.  

The weekend will culminate in a round of presentations from each participating team and the awarding of $10,000 in prizes, including:

•    $5,000: Mayor’s Choice Award – Selected by committee  
•    $2,500: Moonshot Award – People's choice  
•    $1,000 for each of the seven MAP pillars

Learn more and register to participate at rvahacks.org.   
 

The City of Richmond today announced that the 2026 Richmond Community Survey has been mailed to 4,000 randomly selected households throughout the city. Co-sponsored by the Administration and the City Auditor, this survey gives residents an opportunity to provide feedback on local quality of life, services, and priorities that will guide the Mayor’s Action Plan.

The Richmond Community Survey leverages the National Community Survey, which is a statistically representative resident survey used by hundreds of U.S. local governments. The survey will measure public opinion on community livability, satisfaction with City services, resident priorities, community engagement, and perceptions about local government performance. Responses will help City leaders identify strengths and areas for improvement, benchmark Richmond’s results against peer cities, and inform future budgeting and policy priorities.

“We encourage every household that receives the survey in the mail to take a few minutes to complete it,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “Your feedback shapes how Richmond invests in services that matter most; whether that’s public safety, parks, infrastructure, or community development.”

Results from the survey will be available on the City Auditor’s webpage at https://rva.gov/office-city-auditor/reports-issued once complete. For more information about the Mayor’s Action Plan, visit the City of Richmond’s official website at www.rva.gov/mayors-office/mayoral-action-plan.

New ordinance establishes a dedicated, transparent, and fiscally responsible source of funding for the construction and preservation of affordable housing across Richmond. 

Tonight, the Richmond City Council voted unanimously to approve  ORD. 2026-045 , the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) Ordinance, a redesigned policy designed to address the city’s escalating housing affordability crisis. The unanimous vote underscores the shared commitment of the Mayor, Council, and community partners to ensure that every Richmond resident has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. The ordinance establishes a dedicated, transparent, and fiscally responsible source of funding for the construction and preservation of affordable housing across Richmond. 

The ordinance was introduced at the February 9, 2026 City Council Formal Meeting by Councilmember Ellen F. Robertson (Richmond Gateway 6th District) and Mayor Danny Avula. Both leaders emphasized the urgent need for action as housing costs continue to rise and long-time residents face displacement.  

“The approval of this Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund Ordinance establishes a clear, reliable framework and a fiscally responsible plan for dedicating predictable resources for the construction and preservation of affordable housing across Richmond,” said Councilmember Ellen F. Robertson, Richmond Gateway 6th District.  “It also significantly strengthens accountability and transparency to ensure those dollars move consistently and are used as intended.” 

“Tonight’s vote represents months of hard, collaborative work between the administration and council and marks a major victory for Richmond residents. Thank you to Councilmember Robertson for her longstanding leadership and advocacy, and to every Council member who engaged thoughtfully and voted in favor of this ordinance. Every resident should have the opportunity to live in a safe, stable, and affordable home. This is a huge win for our city,”  said Mayor Danny Avula.   

The new ordinance replaces the previous, difficult-to-administer Affordable Housing Trust Fund funding formulas with a clear, consistent approach. 

Key Features of the New Ordinance: 

• A simple, consistent funding formula: 2.5% of annual real estate tax revenues dedicated to the AHTF.
• Known funding amounts at budget introduction — no projections or guesswork.
• Robust transparency and accountability through new reporting requirements.
• A four-year reauthorization requirement, ensuring City Council regularly evaluates and affirms the appropriateness of the AHTF structure and investment amount.
• A phased implementation approach to support a responsible, fiscally sound rollout. 

"I am deeply appreciative of my City Council colleagues, Council and Administration Staffs, Mayor Avula, and housing advocates and community partners whose collaborative efforts were critical to the successful development of the Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund Ordinance which will expedite the building of housing that will address the escalating housing needs of our growing city,”  said President Cynthia I. Newbille.    

Councilmember Stephanie Lynch said, “I’m proud to have worked alongside Mayor Avula and Council colleagues on this legislation to create a stable, accountable investment in affordable housing. Together, we’re taking a meaningful step to ensure that Richmond’s growth remains inclusive and that living in our city stays within reach for all.” 

Learn more about the Affordable Housing Trust Fund with a full explainer.

Richmond, VA — Mayor Danny Avula today released this statement on the House Appropriations and Senate Finance committee reports:

"The newly released budgets from the House and Senate’s Finance and Appropriations Committees are very promising for the City of Richmond. I’m deeply grateful to our state delegation and the leadership of the General Assembly for standing with our city and working hard to deliver real results for our residents. From public safety to education to significant critical investments in Richmond’s combined sewer overflow, these proposals represent priorities for working families and, on behalf of the city, I will continue to advocate for our communities over the weeks ahead.

Halfway through the legislative session, this is important progress. There is more work ahead, and we will not rest in our efforts to meet the needs of our capital city. We look forward to building on this foundation in partnership with our colleagues in the General Assembly and Governor Spanberger’s administration as the state’s new biennium budget is finalized."

Richmond, VA — The City of Richmond has activated an Extreme Weather Warming Center following the National Weather Service’s issuance of a Winter Weather Advisory. Warming Centers provide a safe, warm location for residents in need. The City of Richmond will continue to monitor weather conditions and, if necessary, adjust sheltering plans accordingly. 

Daytime Extreme Weather Warming Center  

• Location: Richmond Public Library, Main Branch
• Address: 101 E. Franklin Street
• Hours: Sunday, Feb. 22, 1 – 5 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 23, regular operating hours 

Overnight Extreme Weather Warming

• Location: Linwood Robinson Center
• Address: 700 N. 26th Street
• Hours: 5 p.m. – 9 a.m. 

Transportation will be available directly from the daytime Warming Center at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch to the overnight shelter at Linwood Robinson Center.