Community Social Development
Richmond has a strong tradition of addressing social issues in its planning and service delivery – a tradition of listening, engaging and collaboratively responding to resident’s social concerns. Community Social Development focuses on working cooperatively with other agencies in the development of networks, programs and processes to respond to the needs of vulnerable populations, promote cultural enrichment, and nurture and enhance the community’s social capital.
Examples of the City’s commitment to social development include:
- Direct service delivery
- Adoption of policies
- Development of plans to address targeted population groups or identified community concerns
- Advocacy to other levels of government
- Support of community agencies and partners
- Securing child care facilities, affordable housing and other community amenities from private development through the rezoning process
The following sections make up the Community Social Development Department:
- Social Planning
- Affordable Housing
- Child Care
- Youth Services
- Seniors Services
- Accessibility
- Inclusion
- Homelessness
Social Development Strategy
The Social Development Strategy guides the City’s community social development work. This strategy envisions Richmond as an inclusive, engaged, and caring community—one that considers the needs of the present and future generations, values and builds on its diversity, nurtures its social capital, and treats its citizens with fairness and respect.
Other Plans and Policies
Community Social Development is grounded by a solid foundation of plans and policies that guide its work. In addition to the Social Development Strategy, the following plans and strategies help guide the department’s work:
Affordable Housing Strategy - Homelessness Strategy
- Collaborative Action Plan to Reduce and Prevent Poverty
- Richmond Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy
- Seniors Service Plan and Age Friendly Plan (in the process of being updated)
- Dementia-Friendly Community Action Plan
- Child Care Action Plan
- Youth Service Plan (in the process of being updated)
- Cultural Harmony Plan
- Richmond Community Wellness Strategy
Advisory Committees
Four of the City of Richmond’s Council-appointed Advisory Committees are involved in the work of community social development:
- Child Care Development Advisory Committee
- Community Services Advisory Committee
- Intercultural Advisory Committee
- Seniors Advisory Committee
If you are interested in volunteering your time and expertise on any of the following committees, information can be found on the Advisory Bodies page.
Contacts: Community Social Development
Related Topics: