From Concentrated Poverty to Community Wealth Building: A Report

from Richmond

Thad Williamson, Ph.D., Director

Risha R. Berry, Ph.D., Project Management Analyst

Mayor’s Office of Community Wealth Building

May 12, 2015

EMANCIPATION DAY – APRIL 3, 1905RICHMOND, VA

JACKSON WARD – THE BIRTHPLACE OF BLACK CAPITALISM

ST. LUKE – THE BLACK WALL STREET OF THE SOUTH

BISECTION OF JACKSON WARD

CONCENTRATED POVERTY IN RICHMOND

POVERTY AND ECONOMIC NEED IN RICHMOND

Richmond Virginia 25.6% poverty rate 11.3% poverty rate $40,496 median hh income $63,907 median hh income 13.0% hh under $10k 5.7% hh under $10k 38.8% children in poverty 14.9% children in poverty 17.7% no health insurance 12.3% no health insurance

Richmond metro area 85th nationally out of 100 largest metro areas in upward social mobility

Approximately 42,000 City residents in poverty apart from college students. 23.9k working age; 14.7k children; 3.35k elderly

City Poverty Rate Excluding Undergraduates: 23.1%

RECOMMENDATIONS OF MAYOR’S ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION

Workforce Development Targeted Economic Development Regional Transportation Educational pipeline from prenatal to college/career Pursuing public housing redevelopment with commitment to no

involuntary displacement

MORAL VISION

Every Richmond resident should have access to quality employment opportunities and preparation and support to be successful in such employment; to a safe neighborhood with good amenities, strong schools, and access to mobility; and to a supportive community environment.

THE PATHWAY OUT OF POVERTYIn Crisis At Risk Safe Stable Thriving

No Income or assets

No skills or credentials

Homeless or unstable housing

No or unreliable transportation or child care.

Safety and mental health risks are high

Addictions and/or Legal Problems

Seeking job or temp/seasonal job or other legal income

Temporary or transitional housing

Transportation and child care available, but not affordable or reliable

Seeking GED or vocational training

Employed in semi-stable job

Housing is stable and is affordable (maybe with subsidy)

Transportation and child care are generally reliable and affordable

Has high school diploma, GED, or vocational training

Permanent & stable job paying living wage

Housing is stable & and is affordable without subsidy

Transportation and child care are reliable and affordable

Career & educational plan in place; active & on-going learning

Permanent, stable employment sufficient to build assets

Housing is permanent & affordable without subsidy

Transportation and child care are reliable and affordable

Implementing education and career plan

Based on the HUD Self Sufficiency Matrix

YEAR ONE: WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

YEAR ONE AND TWO: EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES

YEAR ONE: HOUSING INITIATIVES

MAGGIE L. WALKER INITIATIVE

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CAOFOR

HUMAN SERVICESOffice of Community Wealth Building

Debra D. Gardner, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

City Hall

900 E. Broad Street 5th Floor, ste 501