The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners voted 5-4 Wednesday to reject a proposed transfer of Gilpin Court, the city’s oldest public housing development, during a meeting at Virginia Union University.

The proposal named the Richmond Development Corporation, a nonprofit subsidiary of RRHA, as the entity that would receive the lease transfers in phases. RRHA officials said the plan would support redevelopment efforts and benefit the neighborhood’s 781 housing units and their residents.

Gilpin Court residents and housing advocates, both in person and online, criticized the lack of outreach before the vote, raised concerns about the proposal’s impact on the neighborhood, questioned RRHA’s intentions and called for a delay.

Concerns over the proposal were also shared by members of the Board, who questioned why they didn’t have the related documents, in particular voucher applications, to review ahead of the vote.

“It wasn't for the people and we did not know the people we were about to conduct business with,” Gilpin resident and Gilpin Informed Residents member Stephanie Robertson said after the vote. “We spoke up for ourselves and the people and we actually won this one.”

RRHA officials who supported the transfer said they would address concerns raised by the board and expressed hope the proposal would be approved at a future meeting.

“I respect the voices of my Board members and their vote today,” RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith said. “But there’s always tomorrow.”