A packed meeting at Greater Mount Moriah Baptist Church last week underscored growing unease over plans to transfer Gilpin Court to a nonprofit, as frustrated attendees walked out after clashes between residents and housing officials over the neighborhood’s future. 

The church hosted the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s latest attempt to address concerns over its redevelopment proposal, which calls for transferring Gilpin Court to its nonprofit arm, the Richmond Development Corporation. 

The Aug. 28 discussion followed months of disputes over the proposal, including an April vote by the RRHA Board of Commissioners to reject the transfer and a delayed vote in July, with the large turnout highlighting the public scrutiny of RRHA’s plans. 

“There’s a lot of divisiveness going on, there’s a lot of questions,” East End Renaissance Council President Marvin Roane said at the meeting, “and the questions are going to be answered tonight.” 

More than 100 Gilpin Court residents, RRHA officials, community leaders and visitors filled the church chapel, with Richmond police on hand as discussions ranged from housing affordability and vouchers to resident investment opportunities. 

Former City Council member Chuck Richardson urged residents to remain calm while warning RRHA to heed what he described as the concerns of a Black community that has been mistreated for decades. 

“If this is good for [Gilpin residents], bring it on,” Richardson said. “But if it’s another trick, [...] let’s get it out.” 

The discussion grew heated and remained contentious throughout the evening, with residents clashing with neighbors, tenant council leaders and others over the redevelopment plans and RRHA’s operations. 

RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith talks with Gilpin Court residents. 

 Despite how the discussion ended, RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith said he was pleased with how most of it went, and saw the amount of people present as evidence of strong community engagement. 

“I think 90% of this meeting went extraordinarily well, because we heard from the residents,” Nesmith said. “We want to continue listening, we want to continue learning.” 

He also noted changes made to the proposal in response to previous public outcry and partnerships RRHA secured before the event, including an endorsement from the Resident Tenant Organization. 

Some Gilpin residents and housing justice advocates criticized what they saw as a lack of answers about the plan and its potential impact. Still, they welcomed the large turnout of Gilpin and Richmond residents asking informed questions and expressed hope that the community would continue pressing officials for transparency and accountability. 

“I’m proud of them showing up,” Gilpin Informed Residents member Kiara Harris said. “This is not just a public housing problem, it’s a city problem.” 

RRHA will hold another discussion at Greater Mount Moriah on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 1 to 3 p.m.