Several residents and advocates raised housing quality and tenant-protection concerns during the Richmond City Council public comment period, urging inspections of senior housing, stronger accountability for developers who use city property for affordable housing, and funding to prevent evictions.

Connor Cute, identifying himself as a concerned citizen who grew up in Richmond, said proposals to convert city property for affordable housing risk transferring public assets to private developers who may not be held accountable for unit conditions. He asked the council to require accountability measures such as enforcement of the city’s rental inspection program and stronger protections against eviction.

Peter Finn, lead organizer for the African American chapter of New Virginia Majority, urged the council to commit $9,000,000 to a family crisis fund to help residents facing eviction. Finn said the organization’s outreach shows a high number of evictions in Richmond and urged council members to prioritize the fund and to attend an upcoming March for Working Families.

Several speakers described problems at Bacon Retirement Community. Jasmine Howell, who identified herself as a Richmond resident, domestic-violence and community advocate and the daughter of a Bacon Retirement resident, said her father had no heat or hot water for about a month and that residents face persistent flooding, pests and delayed repairs. Howell said a community meeting scheduled for residents was abruptly canceled and that some residents feared retaliation if they complained. She asked the council to order an inspection of the property to ensure tenants have safe, habitable units.

Alonzo Nicholson said he previously worked as a lead HVAC technician for the City of Richmond. He described operational inefficiencies that he said created environmental waste and urged the council to investigate what he characterized as workplace retaliation after he reported problems. Nicholson recommended strengthening whistleblower protections and ensuring city employees can report hazards without fear of retaliation.

President Cynthia Newbill and staff acknowledged the comments and said the issues raised are among council priorities. The clerk noted that a city official (identified in the meeting as Kevin Vanc or Mr. Vank) would share the status of repairs and code-enforcement visits regarding Bacon Retirement Community; no timetable or further details were given in the public record provided at the meeting. Council members said they will follow up with residents and staff to address the concerns raised.

No ordinance or resolution was adopted during the public-comment period; the remarks were taken under the public-comment agenda item and will inform subsequent staff follow-up and committee work.