RRHA delays vote on Gilpin Court transfer amid concerns
George Copeland Jr. | 7/17/2025, 6 p.m.

The future of Richmond’s oldest public housing neighborhood remains uncertain after the RRHA delayed a vote to transfer ownership of Gilpin Court to Wednesday, Sept. 17.
RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith announced the decision during a news conference at the agency’s headquarters last week, joined by employees and community members and flanked by Gilpin residents holding signs in support of the transfer.
The delay is part of a revised timeline for the proposed redevelopment of Gilpin Court, which would include phased lease transfers to the Richmond Development Corporation (RDC), RRHA’s nonprofit subsidiary. RRHA leaders have presented the proposal as a way to ensure vital improvements to the neighborhood and protections for residents.
As part of the updated plan, RRHA will hold two community meetings to hear residents’ feedback on the proposal and has invited affordable housing groups to answer questions.
“Today is about educating and sharing and also learning,” Nesmith said after the conference, “to hear from residents, stakeholders, board members and members of City Council to let them know that we are here to be a partner and be part of the solution.”
RRHA’s decision came after Gilpin residents, affordable housing advocates and City Council members raised questions and concerns about the proposal’s impact on tenants, lack of outreach and the agency’s plans for the site.
The RRHA Board of Commissioners voted 5-4 in April to reject the proposed transfer during a meeting where some members expressed concerns over the plan, and were set to vote on it again this week.
Along with the delay, RRHA Board Chairman Bill Johnson will appoint a resident as a voting member of the RDC Board.
The announcement came days after 3rd District Council Member Kenya Gibson submitted legislation directing RRHA to amend its bylaws to improve transparency and accountability, develop a tenants’ bill of rights for Gilpin Court and make other changes.
“The volatility of the Trump administration is causing Americans to lose faith that government is a force for good,” Gibson said in a statement announcing the legislation. “It is up to us to demonstrate an alternative path, and the first step is radical transparency.”
When asked about Gibson’s legislation, Nesmith said he hadn’t had the chance to fully read it yet. He noted, however, that actions as part of RRHA’s revised timeline cover similar ground, and stressed the need to maintain proper relationships between city and RRHA officials instead of one telling the other how to operate.
“I’m happy to see that folks are asking for even more transparency, that’s fine,” Nesmith said. “Whatever is in there, we must work in a cooperative way with City Council.”
The community meetings are scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Greater Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 913 N. First St.