Public housing residents and others in Richmond who lose heat have a new alternative.

A Richmond advocacy group is distributing space heaters to those who are shivering in cold apartments.

Justice and Reformation, the organization led by educator Princess Blanding, distributed space heaters last week to residents in 11 homes, including heaters that went to eight units in the Creighton Court public housing community in the East End.

According to Ms. Blanding, her organization provided assistance in Creighton Court after the residents said the heating system in their units had stopped working and they had received no response after calling a hotline set up by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to respond to such problems.

After the Free Press notified him of Justice and Reformation’s distribution of heaters on Dec. 27, Orlando Artze, interim executive director of the RRHA, asked for the addresses of the residents involved so maintenance staff could respond.

Ms. Blanding declined to provide the addresses without first securing the residents’ permission.

Ms. Blanding is best known for leading the fight for change in police tactics after her brother, 24-year-old Marcus-David Peters, was fatally shot by a city police officer when he confronted the officer in May. Ms. Blanding organized the nonprofit Justice and Reformation to mobilize supporters.

However, she said the organization wanted to do more and came up with the idea of passing out heaters. She said the goal is to distribute at least 50 space heaters this winter. The group is seeking donations to reach that goal.

“We try to respond quickly,” Ms. Blanding said, crediting Justice and Reformation members Monica Kelly and David Land with playing a leading role in ensuring families get heating help.

She said people seeking heating help can call or text the group’s 24-hour number, (804) 624-4273.

Details: www.justiceandreformation.org.