Josue (Abraham) Castillo, a community organizer with New Virginia Majority and a resident of the Sixth District, told council he works with tenants in neighborhoods with some of the highest eviction rates in the city and described widespread housing instability.

"If we can find $2,000,000 to expand an animal shelter last year, then we can expand funding to keep our community members housed," Castillo said, and asked council to invest $9,000,000 into a family crisis fund to provide immediate relief.

Castillo said Richmondresidents seeking help often find city financial-assistance programs either paused or inaccessible; he cited the city's water-recovery fund, which opened Jan. 31 and was paused after receiving 2,200 applications.

He called for longer-term policy work at the General Assembly, specifically referencing HB 2175, which he described as an "anti rent gouging bill" that would allow localities to address bad-faith landlord rent increases. He said Alexandria, Charlottesville, Roanoke and Loudoun County have supported similar measures.

Why it matters: Castillo said families are being displaced now and that short-term emergency funding plus state-level tools are needed to prevent imminent evictions and community disruption.

What was requested: Investment of $9,000,000 into a family crisis fund and council support for state-level anti-rent-gouging legislation; ongoing collaboration with community organizations to design accessible assistance programs.

Council follow-up: Castillo said advocates have met with council members; council members acknowledged the requests and the larger budget pressures the city faces.