City News

The Mayor's Office

City of Richmond offices to remain closed to the public April 13 – May 3, essential services continue

The City of Richmond offices will remain closed to the public from Monday, April 13 through Sunday, May 3.

The continued closure is designed to ensure the health and safety of residents, employees and the general public in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Essential personnel will continue to work, and essential city services will continue. Access a list of those services here.

Please check the dedicated city webpage, linked here, for updates on the city’s response to COVID-19. Check RVA Strong for ways to get and give help. 

Mayor Stoney's memo to Richmond City Council - April 3, 2020

Last week I provided my second weekly COVID-19 response and recovery update to members of the Richmond City Council and public.This third memorandum will build upon what was described last week as part of my administration’s comprehensive response to combat COVID-19.

To date, Richmond has 81 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three tragic COVID-19-related deaths.[2] Public health projections assume that more residents will be impacted before this crisis is abated, which is why my message to the public this week remained “we are safer and stronger at home.” I encourage you to share this message within your respective districts to ensure that we all do our part to flatten the curve of this pandemic. 

Furthermore, last week I described how my administration and our community partners are providing assistance to our most vulnerable populations during this health crisis. Here are our updates on actions taken this week. 

  1. On April 2, the Richmond Economic Development Authority created the Richmond Small Business Disaster Loan Program, which will offer interest-free emergency loans of up to $20,000 to small businesses within city limits. The program is intended to provide relief to small businesses who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Monies will go toward paying employee wages, empowering local, small businesses to continue operating and keep employees on their payroll. The application will be available starting Monday, April 6 and applications will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can learn more here.
  2. Today, we launched the RVAStrong website, which centralizes support for our neighbors who need it and amplifies those who are willing to offer it. There are resources for everyone on RVAStrong– from those who need help finding diapers, to small business support options, to those who want to volunteer at a food distribution site. I encourage you to share this resource with your constituents.
  3. My administration also announced today that we will provide a $500,000 match to the Robins Foundation Family Crisis Fund. The money will fund relief payments to families in the City of Richmond. You can read the city’s announcement on that here.
  4. My administration will present FY21 budget amendments to the previously proposed FY21 budget along with a presentation to City Council on April 13, 2020. The proposed amendments will address the reduction in revenues due to COVID-19 as well as corresponding reductions in the proposed expenditures. Please see the attached memo from Acting City Administrative Officer Lenora Reid for additional information.
  5.  Working with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, we decided to temporarily close all public playgrounds and athletic courts to help combat COVID-19. Additionally, activities at the James River are restricted; no swimming, sunbathing or gathering in groups will be allowed, though patrons may still use the area for exercise, such as biking, walking, running and hiking. You can read my full statement here
  6. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities also decided to close the main parking lots that provide access to the James River on weekends. This policy will remain in effect for the duration of Governor Northam’s stay-at-home order. 
  7. The YMCA of Greater Richmond is now operating five emergency childcare sites across the region for children (ages 5-14) of all essential personnel. This week, they significantly discounted their daily fee to $15 per day per child; $10 for each additional child. More information is available here.
  8. Starting next week, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will open an emergency childcare site at Carver Elementary for children (ages 5-14) of essential local government employees. There is no fee for this program. All employees will receive registration information by email, or they can email RVASPECIALEVENTS@richmondgov.com for more information.
  9. YWCA Richmond’s Sprout School, a non-departmental grantee, re-opened its downtown preschool this week to serve children (18 months-5 years) of essential personnel. More information and registration are available by email at sprout@ymcarichmond.org.
  10. RPS has continued to expand its approach to serving meals by utilizing buses to transport meals to locations across the city, making food more accessible. RPS now has 10 school-based sites and 43 “grab and go” sites serving meals. You can locate the sites here;
  11. My administration initiated a conversation with immigrant and refugee service providers to ensure that these vulnerable populations are receiving the services and information they need during this pandemic. My office will continue to engage and support these providers and populations during these challenging times.
  12. The Richmond Economic Development department has recommended the establishment of a tax amnesty program for small, local businesses. We will introduce an ordinance at the next scheduled city council meeting offering amnesty for all penalties and interest on most local taxes due March 13 – June 30;
  13. The Office of the Press Secretary continues to update the city COVID-19 webpage on a daily basis;
  14. Updates to available city services can be found here.

    My administration is also continuing to explore how we can provide additional support. Specifically, we are:

    1. Working with community partners to ensure our most vulnerable populations have access to food.
    2. Additionally, I have continued to advocate for numerous policies and efforts at the state level.  This week, I wrote a letter to Governor Northam and began conversations with finance and banking leaders in the Richmond-region encouraging partnership to determine options available to support financially-challenged Virginians. You can read my full letter here
    3. My administration has also supported recent efforts taken by Governor Northam, such as his recent mandated stay-at-home order, to help flatten the curve. We are committed to enforcing his executive order in the City of Richmond. To report non-compliance, please call the RPD non-emergency number: 804-646-5100. Additional information on enforcement can be found here.
    4. We are in uncharted territory and are taking these measures out of an abundance of caution.
    5. My administration remains committed to working with the Richmond City Council and providing timely updates during these ever-changing times. This is an opportunity for us to come together and do what we were elected to do: serve our constituents when they need us most.
    6. We are in uncharted territory and are taking these measures out of an abundance of caution. 
    7. My administration remains committed to working with the Richmond City Council and providing timely updates during these ever-changing times. This is an opportunity for us to come together and do what we were elected to do: serve our constituents when they need us most.

Richmond Small Business Disaster Loan Program application available

Richmond is offering loans of up to $20,000 for small businesses within city limits to help employers cover labor costs to keep businesses open and pay employee wages.  and will be linked to from the Economic Relief Resources section of the city’s dedicated webpage, here.

The RVAStrong webpage includes information on eligibility, supplemental documents required alongside the application, and a PDF of the application itself.

Interested parties should email the following documentation to Rick Winston at the Department of Economic Development:

  • Completed and signed Richmond Small Business Disaster Loan Program application;
  • Documentation of weekly payroll expenses for the last eight weeks;
  • Two years of the company’s financial statements;
  • Two years of the business signed tax returns; and
  • Two years of the applicants’ individual signed taxed returns.

There is a limited amount of funding for this program. Applications will be considered in the order in which they are submitted.

La Ciudad de Richmond, la Autoridad de Desarrollo Económico y los Pieles Rojas (Redskins) de Washington se han puesto de acuerdo para eliminar la contribución que la ciudad debe dar al equipo, correspondiente a los años 2019 y 2020

La Ciudad de Richmond y el equipo de fútbol americano Pieles Rojas (en inglés, Redskins) de Washington D.C. se complacen en informar que se ha hecho una modificación significativa al acuerdo actual sobre el campamento de entrenamiento del equipo, el cual elimina el requisito de que la Autoridad de Desarrollo Económico (EDA, por sus iniciales en inglés) de la ciudad deba pagar una contribución en efectivo para cubrir algunos gastos de funcionamiento del equipo. 
Esta modificación cubre tanto el año 2019, durante el cual la EDA tenía la obligación contractual de pagarle al equipo $161 767.85, así como el año 2020, el año final de este pacto hecho por ocho años.
Esta modificación al contrato había estado en discusión por varios meses, pero llega en un momento en el cual la ciudad está enfocando sus recursos en ayudar a que los residentes y los negocios locales puedan enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19. El dinero ahorrado como resultado de esta alianza ayudará a la EDA para que pueda financiar el programa de préstamos para pequeños negocios que la agencia y la administración anunciaron hoy. 
La decisión, tomada de mutuo acuerdo entre la ciudad, la EDA y los Pieles Rojas, se basa en su relación de largos años y está enfocada en las necesidades y metas establecidas de desarrollo económico de la comunidad. 
“Nos complace haber podido negociar este alivio para la ciudad”, dijo el alcalde Stoney. “Valoramos las inversiones y contribuciones que ha hecho el equipo a nuestra comunidad y buscamos seguir trabajando juntos este año, además de que seguimos explorando nuevas maneras de hacer crecer nuestra alianza”, añadió. 
  
Bajo el acuerdo original de 2013, la EDA acordó hacer una contribución anual a los Pieles Rojas, en efectivo y en especie, para ayudar a solventar algunos de los gastos en aumento requeridos por la reubicación del campamento de entrenamiento del equipo. A su vez, los Pieles Rojas colaboraron con la ciudad, con Bon Secours y con otras organizaciones comunitarias para brindar una experiencia única a sus aficionados, facilitar el crecimiento y estimular el desarrollo de la comunidad en esta parte de la ciudad. 
La alianza con el equipo ha conducido a iniciativas generosas de caridad por parte del equipo, las cuales han resultado en la construcción de nuevos parques infantiles, instalaciones de fútbol americano en las escuelas secundarias, el establecimiento de programas educativos de alto impacto en las escuelas primarias y secundarias de la ciudad y en donaciones de equipo deportivo. 
El campamento de entrenamiento del 2020 es el último que está cubierto bajo el contrato original de ocho años. Como parte de dicho contrato original, el equipo tiene la opción de extender el acuerdo, pero no obliga a que la EDA siga brindando una contribución en efectivo.

Departamentos de servicios sociales de la ciudad de Richmond: preguntas frecuentes

1. ¿Cómo puedo solicitar beneficios?

Por Internet: https://www.commonhelp.virginia.gov
Por teléfono: 1-855-635-4370
Por fax: 804-646-7018
Por escrito: Buzón en Marshall Plaza (900 E. Marshall Street)
                   Buzón en Southside Plaza (4100 Hull Street)

2. ¿Cómo puedo saber el estado actual de mi solicitud de beneficios (SNAP, TANF, y MEDICAID)?

Por teléfono: 1-855-635-4370
Por Internet: https://www.commonhelp.virginia.gov

3. ¿Cómo obtengo una tarjeta electrónica (EBT) de reemplazo si la perdí, la dañé o me la robaron?

Por teléfono: 1-866-281-2448 
(Línea gratuita de servicio al cliente, atención las 24 horas)

4. ¿Cómo puedo enviar la documentación solicitada para mi caso (únicamente para verificaciones requeridas, renovaciones pendientes, reportes interinos de SNAP y formularios de cambio)?

Por correo electrónico: dss-docs@richmondgov.com

5. ¿Cómo puedo reportar abuso o negligencia infantil o a adultos mayores? 

Por teléfono (abuso o negligencia infantil): 804-646-0438
(Fuera del horario de oficina: 1-800-552-7096)
Por teléfono (abuso o negl. de adultos mayores): 804-646-7405

-->(Fuera del horario de oficina: 1-888-832-3858)
6. ¿Cómo sé quién es mi trabajador social?

Por teléfono: 311 o 804-646-7000

7. ¿Dónde puedo encontrar ayudas adicionales durante la pandemia de COVID19?

 Distribución de comidas: https://www.rvaschools.net/Page/7351
 Envíe mensaje de texto "COMIDA" al 877-877
 Subsidio para cuidado de niños: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/cc/index.html

Or search using "Type it, find it" above