Majority of eligible residents now signed up for RRHA’s rent repayment program

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — 8News is learning how many people are staying and who’s going after the launch of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s (RRHA) plan to address thousands of dollars in unpaid rent.

According to RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith, so far, 756 of 930 eligible residents have signed up for the Compassion Action Initiative since the plan started on July 1.

This came after the RRHA previously announced in April that about 60% of families were behind on rent payments totaling more than $3 million.

Nesmith said RRHA focused specifically on residents who owed the highest amount, ranging from $1,000 to $30,000. Initially, only 200 had signed up before the Aug. 31 deadline.

The power of personal outreach — such as getting help from City Council members and sending numerous messages to those behind — is why the numbers have increased, according to Nesmith.

“We knocked on every single door [in June,]” Nesmith said. “Then, [in July,] we did a second wave. This time, we knocked on doors and we left stickers.”

Nesmith said residents who signed up will only pay 10% of their monthly income — but they must continue to make payments on their rent moving forward.

As for those who haven’t signed up, Nesmith said they won’t be evicted.

“What we’re going to do is transition them to better housing that suits them,” Nesmith said. “We want to look at what their intake process is like and we’re going to transition them for wraparound services, mental health, health care — whatever services they need.”

Nesmith said he and other RRHA board members will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 24 to discuss options for those residents who did not apply for the repayment plan.

He added that he’s looking to put together a group that specializes in making sure residents are not more than two months behind on monthly rent.

Nesmith plans to present that plan at the next Richmond City Council meeting on Oct. 7.

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