Mayor Avula Restores Property Auctions to Tackle City Blight, Unpaid Taxes

By Billy Briefman · September 29, 2026 · 2 min read read

Richmond to Restart Auctions for Blighted, Tax-Delinquent Properties Mayor Danny Avula’s administration will resume public auctions for properties with delinquent taxes and significant blight to...

Richmond to Restart Auctions for Blighted, Tax-Delinquent Properties

Mayor Danny Avula’s administration will resume public auctions for properties with delinquent taxes and significant blight to improve city finances and address long-term housing stability, according to reporting from Richmond BizSense.

Originally reported by Richmond BizSense. Richmond BizSense

The move marks a shift in how the city manages long-term vacancies and unpaid tax obligations. By returning these properties to the auction block, officials aim to clear backlogs and encourage new investment in neglected parcels across RVA neighborhoods. According to Richmond BizSense, the administration views the resumption of these sales as a tool to improve neighborhood safety and increase the city's tax base.

Addressing Long-Term Blight

The city uses these auctions to target properties that owners abandoned or failed to maintain for years. According to Richmond BizSense, the process allows the city to recover unpaid real estate taxes while finding new owners who commit to rehabilitating the structures. This strategy addresses the physical decay that often accompanies tax delinquency, which can lower surrounding property values and create safety hazards.

The Avula administration intends for these auctions to serve as a mechanism for community revitalization. By facilitating the transfer of blighted titles, the city expects to see more properties renovated and occupied. The administration has not yet released a specific schedule for the upcoming sales, but the decision signals a more aggressive approach to property enforcement than in recent years.

Financial and Housing Impacts

Resuming the auctions directly affects the city’s bottom line by recouping lost revenue. According to Richmond BizSense, the administration expects the sales to generate significant funds that remained tied up in delinquent accounts. Beyond the immediate financial gain, the city anticipates that new ownership will lead to increased property assessments and long-term tax growth.

The program also intersects with Richmond's broader housing goals. While the auctions focus on delinquency, the resulting sales often lead to the creation of new housing units or the restoration of existing ones. The administration continues to evaluate how these auctions fit into the city's overall strategy for managing land and supporting residents who may face housing instability.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Richmond BizSense. Channel RVA provides this coverage with additional local context for the Richmond community.