‘This is a whole building issue’: RRHA announces $18 million in funding for senior living buildings

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority (RRHA) is making good on its promise to upgrade several of its buildings.

The urgency to make the necessary changes comes after several senior residents put RRHA officials on notice that the living conditions inside of some of the buildings were not acceptable.

Now the housing leaders are putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to improving the quality of life for its residents.

The problem dates back to July of 2024 when several senior residents were sweltering in the communal areas inside of the Stonewall Place building located near Semmes Avenue due to malfunctioning HVAC system.

On Sept. 5, RRHA announced they are spending $18 million to upgrade six senior living buildings that current residents say need improvements. However, several believe that the attention RRHA is showing to the renovations needs to be shown in other areas as well.

“This is a whole building issue. I’m surprised our building haven’t fallen into the ground,” one resident said.

Cynthia Rasheed is the President of the Tenant Council of Stonewall Place. She says the upcoming renovations to the building she lives in are a good start but she’s looking for more from the housing authority.

When the HVAC system failed in the building, residents were left to fend for themselves during the 90 degrees plus days of summer until the temporary unit was installed shortly afterwards. However, residents say that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the problems.

“We have a terrible problem with leaking water. We have a terrible problem with electricity. I’m more concerned about infrastructure than you making my apartment nice, because I have no problem with my apartment,” another resident said.

RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith says after the HVAC failed, he apologized to the Stonewall residents for their response to the issue.

“Seniors, they’ve given all to us in society, and we owe them a debt of gratitude to make sure they’re living decent, safe condition,” Nesmith said.

Nesmith said after rearranging the budget that RRHA was able to find the $18 million to go toward renovations for the buildings.

“When we did an audit, we saw that with respect to our capital fund, we were not over the years, spending down and drawing down those moneys effectively and efficiently. And so that’s where we were able to find the savings to be able to do this,” Nesmith said. “While the work is being completed, able bodied residents can be moved to other units at other locations. Residents who have mobility issues will be moved to rooms in their building.”

“We feel happy. We feel we feel that you care that you actually put out some effort to meet the demands of the seniors in here,” Rasheed said.

Nesmith says that work has already begun on the Laburnum building and work on the others will start soon, adding that she believes the renovations could be done by the end of 2025.

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