Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Blackwell HOPE VI Revitalization Program

Q: What is the HOPE VI Program?

A: Funded by HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), HOPE VI is designed to provide residents of deteriorating public housing communities with new housing and educational and job-related training. RRHA's HOPE VI Program is a two-part plan for revitalizing Blackwell. One part of the plan is replacing outdated public housing with modern apartment units and single-family homes. The second part is revitalizing the lives of Blackwell's public housing residents through various training programs and services. This effort is the Self-Sufficiency Training Program.

The City of Richmond has also committed to the project by building a new elementary school and community center, refurbishing the park and providing assistance to existing homeowners to rehabilitate their home, and building new homes and restoring older homes through the Neighborhoods in Bloom Program.

Q: How will HOPE VI money be used?

A: • To demolish 440 obsolete scattered-site public housing units.
• To build approximately 597 new homes and rental units (consisting of 188 new single-family houses in Blackwell; 120 homeownership units in three other communities; 148 multi-family units in Blackwell; 68 apartments on Hull Street developed by the ImaniCDC; 60 market-rate apartments in Blackwell-pending).
• To help residents find desirable and affordable replacement housing of choice.
• To provide residents with job / educational training; childcare, transportation and counseling services.

Q: Do public housing residents have a choice in what housing they move to?

A: Residents are offered a variety of housing options and during the process of relocation are provided with relocation services. Based on eligibility criteria and housing availability, choices may include a move to

• Other public housing developments (temporarily or permanently);
• Other RRHA-owned housing, i.e., housing available through the leased housing program;
• Private housing assisted by a subsidy from the Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly known as Section 8) and
• Private housing.

The HOPE VI Revitalization Plan requires that all Blackwell public housing residents be relocated to suitable, affordable housing.

Q: Does RRHA help pay moving costs?

A: Yes. Payments generally range from $800 to $1,100 for families moving out of 5- to 8-room units. RRHA also pays a $150 benefit to all residents -- for application fees, rent and utility deposits or other costs related to moving.

Q: What other help can public housing residents expect when they relocate from Blackwell?

A: In addition to receiving assistance with moving costs, residents are provided financial assistance for moving expenses and other assistance, including childcare and transportation services. In general, relocation costs range from $800 to $1,100 for families moving from units that are 5 to 8 rooms in size. RRHA also pays a $150 benefit to help pay other incidental costs related to moving, and RRHA staff arranges transportation and childcare services and meetings with landlords.

Q: Can former Blackwell public housing residents return to Blackwell's new housing?

A: Yes. Eligible Blackwell public housing residents have first priority for low-income units and other new housing developed in Blackwell.

Q: Will eligible Blackwell public housing residents have first priority for low-income units developed in Blackwell? What are the requirements for residents returning to the new housing?

A: Eligible Blackwell public housing residents will have priority, and several guidelines, approved by HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), determine eligibility to return to Blackwell's new housing. These guidelines include the following:

• Returning families must be in good standing at previous rental housing.
•Returning families must either be working families or enrolled in a self-sufficiency training program. (Note that elderly and disabled heads of household who have stable sources of income and meet other eligibility requirements are not required to be working or enrolled in self-sufficiency programs.)

The Blackwell Community Limited Partnership (the developer of Blackwell's new multifamily rental units) and Edgewood Management Co. (the real estate management company for the new multifamily rental units) have also developed screening criteria for admission to Blackwell's new multifamily rental units. These criteria include

• Criminal background checks;
• A housekeeping inspection; and
• Preferences for applicants who have been employed for two to three years or are enrolled in self-sufficiency training or education programs.

In addition,

• Applicants must have an acceptable rental history for the past two to three years;
• A credit history will be required of all applicants and it must indicate responsible credit behavior; and
• Applicants' annual family income must meet income requirements established by HUD.

Q: What is the HOPE VI Self Sufficiency Training Program?

A: The HOPE VI Self-Sufficiency Training Program (SSTP) is a comprehensive array of job training, educational and life skills programs as well as support services such as child care, health care and transportation services that will help Blackwell's public housing residents achieve self-sufficiency. SSTP is available to all Blackwell public housing residents 18 years of age and older. Participation in SSTP is voluntary, but all residents returning to the newly built housing must meet work and income requirements, which SSTP enables residents to meet.

Q: What jobs can training through the Self-Sufficiency Training Program (SSTP) enable me to get?

A: RRHA has partnered with more than 20 employers and businesses that are hiring residents who participate in and complete SSTP. Some of the area's larger employers even provide stipends and paid on-the-job training. Blackwell residents in SSTP are training and employed as:

• Computer and data operators.
• Customer service representatives and telemarketers.
• Retail sales and inventory clerks.
• Certified nurse aides and practical nurses.
• Hospitality and food service workers, housekeepers, and front desk clerks.
• Construction tradesman, building maintenance and modernization workers.

Starting hourly wages range from stipends of $5.25 per hour paid during training to full-time jobs paying an annual salary of $19,500. Generally, full-time employment offers full medical and retirement benefits.

Q: Where Can I Get More Information about HOPE VI and Blackwell's new apartments?

A: For information about HOPE VI, call the RRHA at 780-4884. For information about the new apartments, call Edgewood Management (the company managing the apartments) at (804) 232-1800.