Controversy/History | Too Damn High! Rising Rents & Richmond’s Affordable Housing Crisis

Returning for the 12th year, the Valentine’s Controversy/History series invites Richmonders to take stock of our city’s most pressing issues and ask: why is the cost of thriving in Richmond so damn high?

Each conversation provides a forum for exploring the challenges facing the Richmond community as we dive deep into historical context, quantitative data and solution-oriented thinking with co-hosts Kelli Lemon (Richmond Times-Dispatch and Virginia Video Network) and Josh Epperson. Everyone in the room is encouraged to get involved in shaping the region’s future.

In partnership with PlanRVA, the 2024-2025 season will align with the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework, using the framework’s five pillars to explore upward mobility in ways that impact every Richmond citizen with an emphasis on our everyday experiences and looking towards the future.

Controversy/History is free and open to the public. Enjoy refreshments from a cash bar and dive into the conversation! Registration is not required, but encouraged.

Panelist for Too Damn High! Rising Rents & Richmond’s Affordable Housing Crisis

• Laura Dillard Lafayette, Chief Executive Officer of the Richmond Association of Realtors and the Central Virginia Regional Multiple Listing Service.
• Thomas Okuda Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME)
• Allison Bogdanović, Executive Director, SupportWorks Housing

2024/2025 Controversy/History Schedule:

October 15, 2024, 5:30-7:15
Too Damn High! Rising Rents & Richmond’s Affordable Housing Crisis

November 12, 2024, 5:30-7:15 p.m.
Too Damn High! Medical Costs & Access to Quality Care

January 14, 2025, 5:30-7:15 p.m.
Too Damn High! The Price of Foregoing the Traditional 9-5

February 11, 2025, 5:30-7:15 p.m.
Too Damn High! The Pressure of Childcare in the First Five Years

March 11, 2025, 5:30-7:15 p.m.
Too Damn High! Violence in Richmond & the Path to Safer Communities