Richmond’s Eviction Diversion Program announces first quarter progress

Mayor Stoney’s new partnership has prevented 76 evictions and is on pace to meet its annual goal

In its first three months, the City of Richmond’s Eviction Diversion Program has diverted 76 evictions and is on track to meet its goal to divert 300-500 evictions in its first year.

The program, which launched last October, provides Richmond tenants with pro bono legal assistance, financial counseling and literacy services and referrals to supportive services while ensuring landlords receive past-due rent payments.

As of January, the program is over one third of the way towards its goal of providing 300 tenants with financial literacy and money management education.

Studies show that housing instability can impact school outcomes, employment and mental health. Evictions particularly affect families with children, who are evicted at twice the rate of families without children. Single parent, female-led homes and communities of color are disproportionately impacted.

The Richmond Eviction Diversion Program provides a holistic solution to the city’s eviction challenges, having established goals to not only reduce the displacement of low-income individuals and families but also to address the social inequity, chronic school absenteeism and lingering financial burden that accompany an eviction.

“We still have a long way to go in ensuring everyone has access to quality, stable housing, but the Eviction Diversion Program has already allowed 76 families and individuals to stay in their homes,” said Mayor Stoney. “That’s a huge step in the right direction.”

The city’s Eviction Diversion Program partners include:

Central Virginia Legal Aid Society

City of Richmond Circuit Court Judges

City of Richmond General District Court Judges and Clerks

Firms in Service

Greater Richmond Bar Foundation

Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia

McGuire Woods

Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia

Office of Mayor Levar Stoney

Office of the City’s Chief Administrative Officer

Richmond City Council

Richmonders Involved to Strengthen Our Communities

Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

Virginia Housing Commission

Virginia Legislative Black Caucus

Virginia Poverty Law Center

For background information on the Eviction Diversion Program, click here.

For more information on the Eviction Diversion Program, contact Osita Iroegbu, Mayor’s Senior Policy Advisor, at Osita.Iroegbu@richmondgov.com.

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