The City of Richmond is set to evict Rydin Road residents on September 30 despite failing to provide promised relocation assistance.
Richmond, California – An encampment of the unhoused along Rydin Road in Richmond will be removed by the City of Richmond on September 30. The move was supposed to be the culmination of a mutual goal between the City of Richmond and residents that included assistance with relocation. However, residents report that the relocation assistance agreed upon by the city has not been received despite months of planning and promise.
“It’s not fair at all that they would throw all of these people out with nowhere to go and with no resources,” said Amanda Jenkins, a resident of Rydin Road and community leader. “They have given us none of what they promised. They have plenty of money and plenty of resources. It makes no sense.”
In December 2021 residents began collaborating with Director of Community Development Lina Velasco, City Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin, and Vice Mayor Eduardo Martinez to create a plan for the ultimate closure of the Rydin Road encampment. The plan included opportunities for residents to enter into transitional housing or reunite with family members. After months of planning they finalized a process to help residents transition and the move date was set for Sept 30, 2022.
The plan also included the allocation of $50,000 to assist residents with vehicle repairs, storage, and other miscellaneous needs. It was amended in June of 2022 to provide more flexibility to meet the unique needs of the residents. To date, no money has been presented.
The City of Richmond’s delays in the process include postponing contracts for service providers that would help residents with the transition, not giving promised funds, and creating unrealistic processes for residents to receive resources. Yet the City of Richmond insists on the September 30 eviction.
Payton Silket, a community organizer with Faith in Action East Bay, said the eviction date is arbitrary and unjust as it intends to proceed without delivering the promised assistance for the transition of residents.
“Richmond has failed to do right by these people,” said Silket. “The residents have shown up in good faith, but the city has not.”
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Watch a video to hear the Rydin Road encampment residents speak for themselves: