The City of Richmond will be holding a public hearing to receive comments on the housing and community development needs, including priority non-housing community development needs, within the city of Richmond.  The City is encouraging all citizens, and especially individuals, interested citizens, and groups that advocate for the housing, social, and economic needs of low and moderate income persons/households, special needs populations, and fair housing, to provide comments, written or oral. Comments received will be considered as part of the development of the Annual Action Plan for the City’s four HUD entitlement programs for which the City of Richmond receives funds: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). A public meeting is planned for Tuesday, November 4, 2014 , at 5:30 PM to receive comments.  The meeting will be held at the Richmond Department of Econ

The City of Richmond is beginning preparation of the fiscal year 2015-16 and 2016-17 City General Funds (CGF) Non-Departmental budget and fiscal year 2015-16 Annual Action Plan for the allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds.  The Federal funds are entitlement dollars allocated to the City through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for neighborhood development and supportive services.  Only applications for projects within the City of Richmond will be considered, except for HOPWA funds for which the City administers funds for the entire Metropolitan Statistical Area. Application packages will be available by November 10, 2014 on the City’s website at http://www.yesrichmondva.com/neighborhood-revitalization/Federally-Funded-Programs   Applications packages will also be available at the Main City Library located at 101 E. Fran

The City of Richmond and McGuire VA Medical Center are partnering to host the 2nd Annual Veterans and Families Resource Fair on Saturday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Virginia War Memorial, 621 South Belvidere Street. This resource fair is a tremendous opportunity for all men and women who have served in the U.S. military, and their families, as they will be able to connect with service agencies, non-profits, corporate and community partners to receive information pertaining to employment opportunities, health care benefits and other helpful information. In an effort to be a more family centered event, this year’s fair will also have numerous activities for children. Veterans and Families Resource Fair attendees should come prepared to obtain employment as more than 20 employers will be onsite. Event attendees will also be able to meet representatives from more than 50 different agencies that provide care and services to veterans and their families. Enrollment specialists

City of Richmond Housing Trust Fund (RHTF) Application Guidance introduction Purpose:   The City of Richmond hereby notifies interested organizations of the availability of funds to provide housing production and housing supportive services targeted to low and moderate income citizens. Funds are intended for projects and programs that are aligned with regional, state and federal plans, and follows best practices to address the housing needs of the population. Projects and services will be evaluated to determine whether they are eligible for RHTF funding, per and ready to proceed. Projects and services must demonstrate a need for RHTF funds in order to proceed and/or operate. RHTF Funds may not be used to supplant existing commitments of permanent financing.   Projects will be considered in earnest if they meet the following criteria: Project and program costs are considered reasonable, per current State and federal guidelines. Project is likely to have all necessary capital

The City of Richmond invites the community to the 10th annual Imagine Festival at Broad Rock Sports Complex, 4802 Warwick Road, on Saturday, October 18, from noon to 5:30 p.m. This year’s Imagine Festival will feature dance performances, arts, crafts, exhibitors, diverse food vendors, and fun activities for the entire family. Approximately 15 local community groups will perform throughout the day and approximately 40 area organizations will be providing information about their services, to include free health screenings through the Una Vida Sana program, screenings through the Richmond City Health District, and a variety of sports, such as soccer and softball. To close the event, the local bachata band, Cheito Davoice, will perform at 5 p.m. Admission to this community and family event is free. “I am pleased that we are able to again bring the Imagine Festival to the residents of Richmond. For ten consecutive years, it has provided a venue that encourages the celebration and uniting o

On October 19, 2014, the 17th Street Farmers' Market and Enrichmond will host the inaugural Kickin’ Chicken WingFest presented by Center of the Universe Brewing Company. This unique event will bring together the best wings Richmond has to offer! Wingfest will include local restaurants and food trucks, live music, local craft beer from Center of the Universe, and an expanded craft and fresh foods market. To spice things up there will be three exciting new contests at this event: Richmond’s Best Wings contest that is open to Richmond-based restaurants, food trucks and caterers. The winner will be determined by a blind taste testing by a panel of judges. People’s Choice Award contest open to event attendee voting. Chicken Wing Eating Competition presented by Buffalo Wild Wings. Think you have what it takes to be the next RVA Wing King? Join Brady from Classic Rock 96.5 at Buffalo Wild Wings for the preliminary wing eating satellite rounds! Two winners from each satellite round w

The City’s Office of Minority Business Development, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, invites individuals interested in starting a mobile food business or learning more about the mobile food business industry to attend a Mobile Food Vendor Workshop . The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22 in training rooms one and two of 730 East Broad Street. Workshop attendees will take part in educational sessions detailing the steps to launching a food truck business. The Mobile Food Vendor Workshop is free however registration is required. Registration is quick, easy and can be done online at www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0A49A4AD23A3F85-mobile . Immediately following the workshop is Eats in the Streets-Curbside to Go , from noon until 2:30 p.m., at Richmond CenterStage in the area of 6th Street and East Broad Street. RVA’s finest mobile food vendors will be selling their signature dishes, so come enjoy lunch downtown, support l