RICHMOND, VA – Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) Richmond Tenant Organization (RTO) has endorsed RRHA’s proposal to use its nonprofit entity, the Richmond Development Corporation in the redevelopment of the Gilpin Court community. The formal endorsement came in an official meeting held Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
The RTO serves as the official governing resident body of RRHA and is made up of tenant council presidents from each of RRHA’s family and senior public housing sites. The RTO is recognized and authorized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to represent the public housing residents of RRHA.
Marilyn Olds is a longtime resident of Creighton Court, a former resident commissioner of RRHA’s Board of Commissioners and currently serves as current president of the RTO. She said,
“We (the RTO) are supporting RRHA’s partnership with the RDC because of the lack of funding from HUD in Washington, D.C., and residents better know, the train is coming fast, so we must come together and be united with RRHA to ensure that Gilpin Court and all public housing residents will not to be negatively impacted. That’s why we voted in favor of this proposal.”
In addition to being used for redevelopment, the RDC will also be used to generate funding in a public/private partnership for resident-centered programs for self-sufficiency, job training, workforce development, and better healthcare opportunities.
RRHA Chief Executive Officer Steven Nesmith announced the RTO endorsement at a community outreach meeting of Gilpin residents, stakeholders, and community members held Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Greater Mount Moriah Baptist Church. The next Gilpin resident outreach meeting to discuss the proposal takes place Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Greater Mount Moriah Baptist Church.
For more information about the Gilpin Court redevelopment, visit https://www.rrha.com/redevelopment/gilpin-court/