Dear Age Wave Community Member,
As co-lead of Greater Richmond Age Wave and a Gerontologist for Community Voice, I am always looking for opportunities to help amplify issues facing our region from the perspective of those directly affected. This is part of the core of Age Wave’s mission and values.
The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority is offering the public a chance to weigh in on changes that would drastically alter public housing opportunities in Richmond. This includes purpose-built older adult residences that are now at risk of closure.
The plan can be found here: https://www.rrha.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/RRHA-Five-Year-Agency-Plan-Fiscal-Years-2020-2024-Part-1.pdf
Specifically, Page 28 describes RRHA's plan to no longer need approval from HUD, RRHA tenants, RTO, and the Board of Commissioners in order to demolish housing in the future
Age Wave has previously issued a set of policy goals on public housing that support increased housing stability. Put simply, RRHA’s proposed changes edge us away from the promotion of housing stability, and simultaneously further removes the public from oversight.
We oppose any effort to make planning for Richmond’s future a “for us” and not “with us” process.
Before July 8, please take a moment to review this document and take the opportunity to comment. In our efforts to encourage civic participation in this important issue, please consider one of these options:
Option 1: Email macdonaldcs8@gmail.com with your name to sign our pre-written comment:
As an Age Wave community member, I support community-driven solutions within RRHA. In response to the proposed five-year plan, I seek to support and amplify the voices of those living within RRHA who are looking to participate in discussions about the future of the city’s housing programs.
As called for by community members directly affected by these decisions, I join Age Wave in supporting “one-to-one” brick and mortar replacement for all housing units during discussions about replacing housing projects. I do not support any effort to remove residents, or the public, from the planning process.
Please “press pause” on this plan and redesign the engagement activity RRHA uses to envision its future. I wish to enter this comment into the public record.
Sincerely, [NAME]
Option 2: Edit this pre-written comment or write your own comment and send it to macdonaldcs8@gmail.com for Age Wave to submit on your behalf.
Option 3: Use our pre-written comment or your own comment and submit by sending to: RRHA Office of the Chief Executive Officer OR Drop off comments at the Legal Aid Justice Center (see attachment for addresses).
Whichever option you select, please let us know and please share this message with others. For logistical questions on how to submit comments, please contact Age Wave Director Catherine MacDonald here.
As Gerontologist for Community Voice, I hope all of us Age Wave network members will take this opportunity to learn more about RRHA’s proposal and raise their voices in support of our neighbors as they seek to be heard.
Thank you,
E. Ayn Welleford, MSG, PhD, AGHEF
Gerontologist
Associate Professor, Gerontologist for Community Voice, Department of Gerontology
Co-Lead, Greater Richmond Age Wave, a University-Community Collective Impact Initiative agewellva.com
As co-lead of Greater Richmond Age Wave and a Gerontologist for Community Voice, I am always looking for opportunities to help amplify issues facing our region from the perspective of those directly affected. This is part of the core of Age Wave’s mission and values.
The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority is offering the public a chance to weigh in on changes that would drastically alter public housing opportunities in Richmond. This includes purpose-built older adult residences that are now at risk of closure.
The plan can be found here: https://www.rrha.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/RRHA-Five-Year-Agency-Plan-Fiscal-Years-2020-2024-Part-1.pdf
Specifically, Page 28 describes RRHA's plan to no longer need approval from HUD, RRHA tenants, RTO, and the Board of Commissioners in order to demolish housing in the future
Age Wave has previously issued a set of policy goals on public housing that support increased housing stability. Put simply, RRHA’s proposed changes edge us away from the promotion of housing stability, and simultaneously further removes the public from oversight.
We oppose any effort to make planning for Richmond’s future a “for us” and not “with us” process.
Before July 8, please take a moment to review this document and take the opportunity to comment. In our efforts to encourage civic participation in this important issue, please consider one of these options:
Option 1: Email macdonaldcs8@gmail.com with your name to sign our pre-written comment:
As an Age Wave community member, I support community-driven solutions within RRHA. In response to the proposed five-year plan, I seek to support and amplify the voices of those living within RRHA who are looking to participate in discussions about the future of the city’s housing programs.
As called for by community members directly affected by these decisions, I join Age Wave in supporting “one-to-one” brick and mortar replacement for all housing units during discussions about replacing housing projects. I do not support any effort to remove residents, or the public, from the planning process.
Please “press pause” on this plan and redesign the engagement activity RRHA uses to envision its future. I wish to enter this comment into the public record.
Sincerely, [NAME]
Option 2: Edit this pre-written comment or write your own comment and send it to macdonaldcs8@gmail.com for Age Wave to submit on your behalf.
Option 3: Use our pre-written comment or your own comment and submit by sending to: RRHA Office of the Chief Executive Officer OR Drop off comments at the Legal Aid Justice Center (see attachment for addresses).
Whichever option you select, please let us know and please share this message with others. For logistical questions on how to submit comments, please contact Age Wave Director Catherine MacDonald here.
As Gerontologist for Community Voice, I hope all of us Age Wave network members will take this opportunity to learn more about RRHA’s proposal and raise their voices in support of our neighbors as they seek to be heard.
Thank you,
E. Ayn Welleford, MSG, PhD, AGHEF
Gerontologist
Associate Professor, Gerontologist for Community Voice, Department of Gerontology
Co-Lead, Greater Richmond Age Wave, a University-Community Collective Impact Initiative agewellva.com
