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To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Second Amendment to Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Emergency Shelter, Inc., doing business as HomeAgain, for the purpose of extending the term through November 30, 2027, with the option to exercise three additional one-year term extensions for the continued operation of a 50-bed, year-round emergency shelter for families.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, be and is hereby authorized to execute a Second Amendment to Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Emergency Shelter, Inc., doing business as HomeAgain, for the purpose of extending the term through November 30, 2027, with the option to exercise three additional one-year term extensions for the continued operation of a 50-bed, year-round emergency shelter for families. The Second Amendment to Grant Contract shall be approved as to form by the City Attorney and shall be substantially in the form of the document attached to this ordinance.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
O&R REQUEST
DATE: April 13, 2026 EDITION: 1
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Dr. Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Tanikia Jackon, DCAO for Finance and Administration
THROUGH: Letitia Shelton, Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan Brown, Director of Budget and Strategic Planning
THROUGH: Amy Popovich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services
FROM: Eric Mai, Policy Advisor
RE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Second Amendment to Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Emergency Shelter, Inc., doing business as HomeAgain.
ORD. OR RES. No. 2026-
PURPOSE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Second Amendment to Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Emergency Shelter, Inc., doing business as HomeAgain, for the purpose of extending the term of the contract for one (1) guaranteed year, with up to three (3) additional one-year renewal terms upon mutual written consent of the parties, for the purpose of operating a 50-bed, year-round emergency shelter for families.
BACKGROUND: In April of 2023 Mayor Levar Stoney and City Council declared a housing crisis in the City of Richmond. Emergency shelters for persons without housing serve as a safety net of last resort for this vulnerable population. In the Strategic Plan to End Homelessness 2020-2030, the City identified a 150-bed shortage in year-round emergency shelter beds. HomeAgain agreed to help in expanding capacity by agreeing to operate a non-congregate 50 bed year-round emergency family shelter out of the “Richmond Hostel” - with prioritized and coordinated entry through the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) - to serve more families experiencing homelessness.
On November 13, 2023, City Council approved ordinance 2023-298 which authorized the Chief
Administrative Officer to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and HomeAgain for the purpose of funding the operations of a non-congregate 50-bed, year-round family emergency shelter to be located at 7 North 2nd Street. The initial term of this Grant Contract began on November 14, 2023, and will expire on November 30, 2025.
The initial term of this Grant Contract began on April 16, 2024, and expires on June 30, 2025. The Grant Contract allowed for an automatic Extended Term of one fiscal year ending on June 30, 2026, upon satisfaction of certain terms found Grant Contract attachment.
On July 22, 2024, City Council approved ordinance 2024-174, which authorized the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a First Amendment to Grant Contract for the purpose of reducing the City’s payment obligation of grant funds to HomeAgain. This First Amendment was the result of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors adoption of Resolution 138-24 on April 23, 2024, which provided a donation of $238,535 to HomeAgain from Henrico County. This donation reduced the city’s obligations to HomeAgain by 25%.
This 2nd Amendment will extend the Grant Contract term for one (1) guaranteed year, with up to three (3) additional one-year renewal terms upon mutual written consent of the parties.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: N/A
STRATEGIC INITATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: RES. 2023-R019, City of Richmond’s Strategic Plan to End Homelessness 2020-2030, Mayoral Action Plan Pillar: Thriving Neighborhoods, Mayoral Action Plan Pillar Thriving Families
FISCAL IMPACT: None
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption.
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: July 27, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: September 14, 2026 - unless a special hearing is held between July 27 and September 14
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Education and Human Services
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Budget and Strategic Planning, Finance, Human Services, Housing and Community Development
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: Ord. 2023-298, Ord. 2023-299, Ord. 2023-300, Ord. 2023-317, Ord. 2024-174
ATTACHMENTS: Executed Grant Contract, First Amendment to Grant Contract, Second Amendment to Grant Contract
STAFF:
Steve Harms, Senior Policy Advisor, stephen.harms3@rva.gov
Eric Mai, Policy Advisor, eric.mai@rva.gov