Improving Access and Transparency for Affordable Housing
The General Purposes Committee reviewed a report on improving Richmond’s LEMR program. Key recommendations included establishing a public online registry of available and upcoming LEMR homes, expanding public information resources with a mapping tool showing property-specific rents and eligibility criteria, and assessing how well the program serves priority groups identified in the Affordable Housing Strategy (2017-2027). The committee also considered various program management options, ultimately recommending maintaining the current approach with the addition of a temporary staff position to implement the suggested improvements. Alternative options involving a non-profit or for-profit manager were deemed less effective and more costly.