Spring 2025
2024 Letter from the CEO
Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation (SCDHC) worked tirelessly in 2024 to advance financial empowerment and housing stability for our neighbors across the Commonwealth. From community celebrations to new staff, impressive presentations, resident engagement, and more, SCDHC reflects with gratitude on 2024 and looks forward to the initiatives planned for 2025. Read more in our 2024 Letter from the CEO, a message of inspiration from our fearless leader, Dianna C. Bowser (President/CEO).
Moving and Grooving!
Residents at Sandston Plateau Senior Apartments hit the dance floor in January to participate in chair Zumba, led by Dancing with Dion and co-hosted by SCDHC and Humana. After a discussion about the benefits of exercise for physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, instructor Candice Braxton pumped the jams and got everybody moving. From classic Motown tunes to funky contemporary hits, Ms. Braxton brought an electric atmosphere and muscle-burning moves. Passers-by in the lobby even stopped in to join the fun.
We are thankful to Mashanna Bailey from Humana, Candice Braxton from Dancing with Dion, and the Sandston residents who joined us to celebrate community, music, and movement. We look forward to more active events at Sandston in the future!
Empowering Emporia
Robbie Franklin and William Johnson presented at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference in Virginia Beach in November. The presentation titled “Empowering Emporia” detailed Emporia’s housing history, strengths and challenges, and SCDHC’s approach to housing and community development in rural Virginia. SCDHC’s findings will soon be published in the “Guidebook to Advancing Affordable Housing Development in Under-Resourced, Majority-Black Rural Localities.”
Emporia’s challenges reflect a nationwide housing crisis impacting rural communities. SCDHC is uniquely suited to address Emporia’s needs thanks to our robust, scalable financial and housing counseling services, physical office location in Emporia, and ability to leverage resources from the federal, state, local, and private sectors. The presentation concluded with a lively audience discussion. We look forward to SCDHC’s continued work with the wonderful people of Emporia!
Robbie Franklin (left), Director of Real Estate Development at SCDHC and William Johnson (right), City Manager of Emporia, present at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference.
The Eviction Diversion Program
The SCDHC Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) in the City of Richmond officially launched in October 2024. Since then, the EDP and our new staff members have excelled at providing essential crisis services and financial assistance to keep Richmond residents housed.
The EDP offers eligible tenants the opportunity to stay in their homes by providing emergency financial assistance, rental counseling, court navigation services, and landlord/tenant’s rights education. The goal of the program is to improve housing and financial stability for tenants and, in turn, improve health, safety, and educational outcomes for Richmond families.
Our team works directly with tenants, landlords, and the court system to prevent evictions. This process allows SCDHC staff to intervene before tenants receive a judgment of possession or writ of eviction from the court system, protecting tenants’ credit scores and granting tenants additional time to pay off arrears and remain in their housing. The EDP primarily serves historically disadvantaged communities in Richmond that experience cyclical poverty and housing instability, particularly in the Southside and Northside neighborhoods. For more details, click here.
The Power of Perseverance
One of the greatest joys of working in affordable housing and community development is watching clients’ hard work and determination pay off. That was most certainly the case for client Ms. C, who began her journey with SCDHC seven years ago, and achieved her goal of homeownership in December 2024.
Ms. C began her journey with SCDHC through the Financial Opportunity Center® (FOC) Program, reducing her debts and resolving collections accounts through credit counseling. The beginning of her journey with our FOC Program is a nod to her forethought in preparation for her future financial and housing stability goals.
The story of Ms. C shows that no dream is too distant. She demonstrated the importance of laying a foundation for her goals and maintaining hope and positivity over her years of preparing for homeownership. We are proud to announce that Ms. C purchased her first home in December! She utilized $30,000 of Down Payment Assistance from the City of Richmond, and received a fixed 3.5% interest rate from the Virginia Housing SPARC Program for First-Generation homebuyers. SCDHC will continue providing support for Ms. C through post-purchase counseling as she settles into her new home.
Ms. C’s story encapsulates the passion and drive of SCDHC clients. We are honored to work alongside folks like her whose ambition paves the way for prosperity.
Jim’s Handy Home Hints
Wow, what a winter season we had! The new year began with a challenging period of below-freezing temperatures, winter weather, and Richmond’s water crisis. The unpredictable nature of this season highlights the importance of taking preventive measures to protect your home so that when wintry surprises return, you’re ready to weather the storm.
Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes
1) Insulate Pipes: Use foam pipe insulation on exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
2) Seal Cracks and Openings: Check for gaps around windows, doors, and where pipes enter the home (like crawl spaces). Use caulk or insulation to seal these openings.
3) Keep the Heat On: If you are traveling, set the thermostat to at least 55°F (13°C) to maintain a comfortable temperature.
4) Let Faucets Drip: During extreme cold (32°F (0°C) or lower) let faucets drip slightly to keep water moving through your pipes, which can help prevent freezing. If you think your pipes will freeze, fill your bathtub and/or buckets with water. This will provide you with water to boil in an emergency.
5) Open Cabinet Doors: Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warmer air to circulate around plumbing, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
6) Maintain Heat in Unused Spaces: If possible, keep the heat on in rooms that you don’t normally use (like vacant bedrooms). Leave the doors to these rooms open to improve heat circulation.
7) Disconnect Water Hoses: Remove and store garden hoses before winter, and if you have an outdoor faucet, consider insulating it or installing a frost-proof faucet (available for purchase at Lowe’s or Home Depot).
8) Know Your Home’s Plumbing: Familiarize yourself with the layout of your plumbing. Pay special attention to pipes that are more susceptible to freezing, and locate your water shut-off!
By taking these precautions, you can prepare your home for future winter days with peace of mind.
Celebrating Community
SCDHC staff and community partners gathered in Emporia to celebrate the accomplishments of 2024. We look forward to another year of empowering our neighbors and advancing efforts to create safe, stable, and affordable housing for all.
Know the Lingo: Eviction Legal Terms
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A person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord.
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Money that is owed and should have been paid earlier.
Example: Past-due rent payments
Definitions are specific to Virginia law
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Also known as a “5-day notice to pay or quit”, a landlord issues a Written Nonpayment Notice when rent is late, granting tenants 5 days to submit payment before the formal eviction process begins.
Definitions are specific to Virginia law
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A legal document filed by a landlord to initiate an eviction lawsuit, requiring the tenant to appear in court.
Definitions are specific to Virginia law
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A court order declaring who is entitled to immediate possession of a property. In the case of an eviction, the landlord is entitled to the property.
Definitions are specific to Virginia law
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A court order authorizing the Sheriff to physically remove a tenant and their belongings from a property.
Definitions are specific to Virginia law
Gratitude Corner
We are extremely grateful to the organizations and foundations who support SCDHC through grants and charitable donations! Our work would not be possible without these supporters:
Virginia Housing
Amandla Fund for Economic and Racial Justice
LISC Virginia
Richmond Memorial Health Foundation
Bon Secours Community Benefits Investments
The Weissberg Foundation
The Cameron Foundation
Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond
Wells Fargo
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg
George Mason Mortgage
Truist Bank
First Citizens Bank
JP Morgan Chase
Fulton Bank and the Fulton Forward Foundation
The Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund
Chesapeake Bank
TowneBank
Thank you for helping us make an impact in our communities!