The HOPE VI Program was developed as a result of recommendations by the National Commission on Severely Distressed Public Housing, which was charged with proposing a National Action Plan to eradicate severely distressed public housing.

The Commission recommended revitalization in three general areas: physical improvements, management improvements, and social and community services to address resident needs.

To read more about the national progress of the HOPE VI program, click on this link for information provided by the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA).

HOPE VI in Richmond, VA

HOPE VI is a comprehensive program that is revitalizing Virginia's historic Blackwell community, which lies just south of downtown Richmond.

The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) and the City of Richmond secured a HOPE VI grant of $26.9 million from HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) to revitalize Richmond's Blackwell community. (HOPE VI is an acronym for Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere.)

The HOPE VI Program is bringing approximately 540 replacement housing units that will include:

* 161 multi-family units in Blackwell;
* 188 new single-family houses in Blackwell;
* 120 homeownership units in three other Richmond communities;
* 68 apartments on Blackwell's Hull Street developed by the ImaniCDC

For the public housing residents of Blackwell, the HOPE VI Program creates opportunities for new rental and homeownership housing and provides comprehensive self-sufficiency services (through "SSTP," RRHA's HOPE VI Self-Sufficiency Training Program) to improve their quality of life and support employment objectives.

In September 2001, just one year after breaking ground for Blackwell's first new multifamily housing, families have moved into the multifamily housing, the Townes at River South. Many of the families moving into these attractive, privately owned and managed rental units are former residents of Blackwell public housing.

Click here to view an overview presentation on the RRHA HOPE VI Revitalization Program

HOPE VI: A Community Partnership

The HOPE VI revitalization plan is the result of a planning effort by residents, community and government leaders, organizations and institutions. The HOPE VI Self-sufficiency Training Program (SSTP) is supported by a community task force composed of residents, service providers and businesses. These groups have been working closely to identify strengths, build upon assets and create a vision for future development.

RRHA's partners in revitalizing Blackwell through HOPE VI include (but are not limited to):

• HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
• City of Richmond
• Richmond Public Schools
• Blackwell Community Civic Association Business Partners
• Other government agencies, community development corporations, non-profit organizations
• Blackwell's faith-based community
• RRHA HOPE VI contractors and developers
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College


Homeownership through HOPE VI

HOPE VI is bringing 188 new, well-constructed single-family detached houses to Blackwell, and through RRHA's homeownership program, low- and moderate-income families will purchase these homes.

The 3 and 4 bedroom homes offer modern amenities and charming details such as porches, picket fences and back yards.

An additional 120 homes will be built in three other neighborhoods in Richmond.

• The HOPE VI Homeownership Program is designed to help low-, moderate-income, and middle-income families become homeowners. The program offers financial incentives, such as mortgage subsidies and down payment assistance. The program is modeled on the Nehemiah FHA (Federal Housing Authority) Home Buyer Program. For more information, call (804) 780-4884.

Blackwell Designated a Redevelopment and Conservation Area

In conjunction with HOPE VI the city of Richmond has designated Blackwell a redevelopment and conservation area and has committed more than $16 million to assisting existing homeowners with rehabilitation of their homes; to acquiring and demolishing dilapidated housing; and to building new single-family houses to provide homeownership opportunities. Beyond housing, the city's $16 million has also resulted in the construction of a new elementary school, a new community center and a refurbished park. The city's efforts in Blackwell are part of Neighborhoods in Bloom, the city's aggressive neighborhood redevelopment and revitalization program. Through the program, the city is focusing its efforts on six Richmond neighborhoods, including Blackwell.

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