The Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund Application deadline is Jan. 21. For more information, click here . ~ Mayor Jones and City Councilwoman Robertson Announce 2015 awardees ~ Applications for the 2016 Affordable Housing Trust Fund program are due by Jan. 21, 2016.  Activities eligible for AHTF award include housing related support services, pre-development costs, new construction, property acquisition, rehabilitation costs, relocation and conversion of non-residential to residential development. On Dec. 7, Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Ellen Robertson, Richmond City Council 6th District and Chair of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Oversight Board, announced the City’s 2015 AHTF awardees. The 2015 AHTF awards, totaling nearly one million dollars, are expected to generate more than $23.5 million in affordable housing development in the city and nearly 200 new and rehabilitated affordable housing units. In addition, special housing related services will be provided to...

Beginning with the first utility bills in January 2016, natural gas customers of the city of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will see a savings on their monthly utility bill.  Mayor Dwight C. Jones has authorized DPU to lower the Purchased Gas Cost (PGC) portion of the natural gas utility bill from $0.425 to $0.325 per Ccf (100 cubic feet). Other components of the natural gas bill – the distribution charge and customer charge – are unchanged.    The PGC rate of the average residential customer who uses 70 Ccf’s of natural gas per month will pay approximately $71.11 compared to a current bill of $78.11.  This equates to a 24 percent reduction in the PGC rate charged by the City and an overall ten (10) percent reduction in the entire natural gas bill.  At the time of this release, DPU’s PGC rate is less than or equal to surrounding natural gas franchises. Mayor Jones stated, “This is more good news for our customers. We are always pleased when ...

On Monday, Jan. 4, Mayor Jones, 4th District Councilwoman Kathy Graziano, and Debra Gardner, DCAO for Human Services kicked off the Grand Opening of the Huguenot High Community Center and launched the Community Schools Initiative. This initiative was designed to establish Richmond public schools as community “hubs” that promote academic achievement, personal wellness, and family and community stability. “We knew that schools can be the nucleus of a community if they are open to everyone – days, evenings and weekends – and not just seen as a place where only teachers teach and students learn,” said Mayor Jones. “By utilizing these facilities to bring services, not just to the students, but to the communities at large, we are providing a bridge to health care, to social services and to community resources.” Services available include social services, health services, family engagement and parent education, recreation, after school, senior programs, tutoring and mentoring. The integr...

Lee Downey, who has been the City’s Economic and Community Development Director since May of 2011, has accepted a new post as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Planning and Economic Development. Downey had been serving in the DCAO post on an interim basis since October of 2014. The permanent placement became effective December 26, 2015. “Lee is no stranger to the economic development needs of the city,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “He has continued to impress me, now having been a part of my executive team since 2011. One of the highest priorities of this administration has been and continues to be intentional and aggressive economic development efforts.  Lee has been a part of our comprehensive effort; including everything from establishing the Arts District, to attracting new businesses like Stone and retaining businesses like McGuire Woods and The Martin Agency. I look forward to our continued work together to position the city to remain competitive and attractive...

A natural gas leak can be recognized in three distinct ways - Smell, Sight, or Sound.
 SMELL:     Natural gas is colorless and odorless. Before it reaches you, we add a distinctive, pungent odor -- a rotten egg smell -- so that od natural gas is escaping it can be quickly recognized.
 SIGHT:    You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, or bubbles in standing water, or vegetation that appears to be brown and dead or dying for no apparent reason.
 SOUND:     You may hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing or whistling coming from a 
natural gas pipeline in the area.
 DO’s:    What should you do if you suspect a leak? Just leave! Protect life first. Move to a safe environment. Then call 911 or the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities at (804) 646-7000. City of Richmond residents may call 311.
 DON’T’s: DO NOT strike a match, use telephones, switch on or off appliances, a light switch or even grab a flashlight in t...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following statement today regarding Governor Terry McAuliffe’s biennial budget proposal: “I’m pleased by Governor McAuliffe's budget proposal, which has been carefully crafted to propel Virginia’s economy forward. “It will take Virginia’s investment in public education to the highest level in history. This is an important step toward restoring reductions made during the recession. “I’m especially encouraged because I’ve always believed that a strong city is one where all residents care about public education, even if they don’t have kids in the school system. “As Governor McAuliffe said, ‘Our young children’s future should not depend on their parents’ financial condition or their ZIP code.’ I completely agree. “Local governments know that additional state funds also bring additional costs, and we’re prepared to accept that challenge. I look forward to a robust debate—at the state and local level—about how best to deliver all of the services our res...

The City of Richmond, in partnership with Richmond Public Schools (RPS) and the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation, highlighted the poverty reduction initiative RVA Future Centers today at the Armstrong High School Future Center. RVA Future Centers have launched in all five comprehensive city high schools this semester. Future Centers are dedicated classroom spaces within each school building that are resource hubs for connecting high school students and their families to college and career planning resources. Each Future Center is staffed by a full-time site coordinator, who develops and implements a school-specific plan to engage all students in developing a personal plan for life after high school, starting in their ninth grade year. Future Center staff work closely with RPS guidance staff and community organizations providing college and career planning assistance such as GRASP. “Access to opportunity makes all the difference in a young person’s life. Making sure as many...