Join Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc. (HOME of VA) at its exhibit on why Richmond, VA has the second highest eviction rate in America! The event is free but an RSVP is required to attend and participate and seating is limited. RSVP@homeofva.org or call 804-354-0641.
Richmond’s eviction rates are quadruple the national average. Several factors, such as cost-burdened families and lack of affordable rental housing, resulted in the eviction of more than 37,354 households in 2017. And, the hardship has a ripple effect beyond housing displacement. Access to safe neighborhoods becomes out of reach. The emotional distress in children manifests as poor student performance and plunging grades. The financial burden leads to lost jobs and increased dependence on payday lenders to get by.
The City of Richmond Eviction Diversion pilot program, through a partnership with the City of Richmond, Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, and Firms in Service, was launched in the fall of 2019 to address this chronic problem. The goal: divert 300-500 evictions in the first year.
During the lunch, you will gain insight into the scope and intricacies of the problem, details about the program, progress, future objectives, and a guided tour of the exhibit.