What Richmond City Council Got Done This Week: Housing, Healing, & A New Leader
- Voice !t Staff
- Jun 13
- 3 min read
This week, Richmond City Council tackled a long list of decisions—some big, some behind the scenes, all worth knowing. From new housing approvals to updates on gun violence prevention, here’s what went down.
🚦 Housing: Green Lights and Slowdowns
Some housing proposals got the go-ahead, while others were put on pause:
Approved:
Four two-family homes on N. 21st Street
Four townhomes on N. 22nd Street
A single-family home and accessory building on Brook Road
Business zoning approval for S. Crenshaw Avenue
A two-family home on P Street
Fifteen townhomes on Venable Street
Delayed for further review:
A 180-unit complex with a clubhouse on Snead Road (continued to July 28)
A mixed-use development at Westwood Avenue (continued to June 23)
New homes on 2nd Ave, Hanover Ave, Hunt Ave, and West Main St (continued to June 23 or later)
Rezoning of several 7th district properties from single-family to multifamily (continued to June 23)
Why this matters: New homes were cleared in several areas, but the big developments are still under discussion.
🏘️ Opening the Way for Affordable Housing
Council approved the closure of parts of West 23rd, McDonough, and Perry Streets—and two alleys—to make room for a new multifamily affordable housing project. The city will also accept new utility easements.
Why this matters: Clearing unused streets makes space for affordable housing to get built.
🌐 Trauma Support That Reaches Thousands
The Trauma Healing Response Network (THRN), created in 2021, connects families impacted by gun violence to resources like housing, mental health care, and emergency funds.
In FY25 alone, they:
Reached 8,741+ residents
Performed 3,490+ wellness checks
Helped 37 high-risk cases to prevent further violence
Gave emergency housing to 16 families (including 4 permanent relocations)
Disbursed over $36,000 in emergency aid
Since THRN began, homicides in Richmond have dropped by 41%!
Why this matters: These programs provide real support to families affected by violence—and the numbers show they’re making a difference.
🚧 THRN Safe Zones Offer Help Close to Home
Three new "Safe Zones" opened this year to provide healing-centered support in high-need neighborhoods:
Hickory Hill Community Center (8th District)
Neighborhood Resource Center and Charged Up Retail Store (7th District)
Just C Community Hub (6th/7th Districts)
Why this matters: These locations give residents easier access to services when they need them most.
💵 Budget Overhaul in the Works
Council is leading a full review of how Richmond creates and manages its budget. The process has three parts:
Information gathering (interviews, surveys, focus groups)
Researching how other cities do it
Creating and sharing recommendations
Key updates are coming at Council meetings on July 28 and September 2.
Why this matters: This review could help Richmond spend public money more effectively and transparently.
🏗️ Major Zoning Update Moving Ahead
The Richmond 300: Code Refresh is underway to modernize the city’s zoning laws. So far, the process has included surveys, open houses, and feedback from over 75 neighborhoods.
Next up: draft zoning code modules and more community events in late June.
Why this matters: Zoning shapes what gets built where—so these updates affect everything from housing to small business development.
👤 New City Leader Confirmed
Council adopted the Mayor’s appointment of Odie Donald II as Richmond’s new Chief Administrative Officer. The CAO oversees the daily operations of city government—managing departments, executing council-approved policies, and ensuring city services run smoothly. The role includes a whopping $365,000 salary, relocation support, and professional development funding.
Why this matters: The CAO plays a major role in running the city’s day-to-day operations.
In Summary: Big Moves Behind the Scenes
Whether it’s approving new homes, supporting trauma recovery, or updating how the city runs its budget and zoning code, Richmond City Council made meaningful progress this week. And yes—the city has a new top administrator in place.
Remember: You don’t need to show up to every meeting to make a difference. Just staying informed helps you speak up when it counts. That’s how we shape the city we live in.
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