The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced a $450,000 planning grant award to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA). This community award is designed to stimulate affordable housing and economic development in the neighborhoods of Gilpin Court and the entire Jackson Ward community.
The grant is one of eight awards totaling $3.6 million funded through HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, which helps local leaders craft comprehensive, homegrown plans to revitalize and transform neighborhoods across the country. HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative promotes a comprehensive approach to transforming neighborhoods struggling to address the interconnected challenges of distressed housing, inadequate schools, poor health, high crime, and lack of capital.
“The Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant is great news for the residents of Gilpin Court and the surrounding Jackson Ward community,” said RRHA Interim Chief Executive Officer Stacey Daniels-Fayson.
“The award demonstrates the shared commitment of the RRHA, the city of Richmond, the Richmond City Health District and other community stakeholders.”
“This grant is a significant step toward the critical transformation of Gilpin Court, unification of Jackson Ward, and the implementation of the citywide master plan,” said Mayor Levar M. Stoney. “We look forward to engaging the community in creating an inclusive plan for improving housing, supporting children and families, and strengthening the entire neighborhood.”
“Richmond City Health District has offered clinical services and support in the Gilpin community since 2014,” explains Amy Popovich, Nurse Manager at Richmond and Henrico Health Districts. “Our peer Community Health Worker and clinical staff have built deep, long-lasting relationships with families…We are committed to staying connected to Gilpin residents and offering caring, individualized services and resources to families throughout the housing transition process.”
For information about other RRHA’s projects and initiatives, visit our website at rrha.com, or any one of our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin or Instagram.