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Dec. 1 Newsletter: Can't give away money

Weather: The chill continues. High of 42.

On this date in 1742, Louisa County is established, and is named for the British Princess Louisa.

Today's newsletter sponsored by Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU: A stronger future starts with healthier kids. Together, we can ensure that Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU is ready to meet the challenges of today, and tomorrow. Donate Today and help give kids the unstoppable care they deserve.

Richmond set aside $1.3M to help city employees buy homes. Only a few people have completed the program

Richmond allocated $1.3 million in federal COVID rescue funds to a program that helps city employees buy homes, offering them up to $25,000 in assistance.

But so far, of the 108 applicants, only three employees have bought a home under the program. If the money isn't used by the end of 2026, it will have to be sent back.

  • The challenge has been identifying city employees with incomes low enough to qualify for the help who are also financially stable enough they can afford homeownership in an increasingly expensive city.

Read more, including credit score minimums that have been a factor, here.

‘Not just gone and forgotten’: RPS initiative reaches out to dropouts to offer them alternate paths to a diploma

A group of RPS employees has reached out to 148 students so far, and nearly 30 of them have returned to a school setting as a result.

The initiative was one Solomon Jefferson, Richmond’s chief academic officer for secondary education, felt passionately about. Jefferson died unexpectedly on Nov. 23, and helped lead the discussion a week earlier when The Richmonder was invited to watch for this story.

Read the story, and hear about some of the lives impacted, here.

Richmond cultural heritage plan clears hurdle, but Robertson vows ‘long list of amendments’

A plan for how Richmond can preserve its historical and cultural assets has cleared the Planning Commission after a six-month delay but could face some resistance at City Council.

The new version is recast as “a selection of potential educational, marketing, regulatory and administrative tools the city can use to conserve and manage change,” rather than a set of directives to the city about how it must proceed.

Councilor Ellen Robertson's objections are notable because any amendments from City Council would restart the approval process.

Read more on how preservationists felt about the vote here.

Today's sponsor:

For the last 105 years, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU has been providing the families of Virginia and the world with expert pediatric care. Considered a top 50 children's hospital by U.S. News and World Report in 8 of 11 ranked subspecialities, as well as a top 10 children’s hospital in the Mid-Atlantic region, CHoR is dedicated to providing unstoppable care for kids in every possible way.

A stronger future starts with healthier kids. Together, we can ensure that Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU is ready to meet the challenges of today, and tomorrow. Donate Today and help give kids the unstoppable care they deserve.

In other news

The editor's desk

Giving Tuesday is a big day in the nonprofit world, and we'll be sending out a special email tomorrow with a glimpse at what our 1,200+ members have supported over the past year. Thanks for coming along for the ride!

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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