North Richmond, an unincorporated community in Contra Costa County, has long battled environmental injustice, economic hardship, and underdeveloped infrastructure. Predominantly home to African American and Latino residents, the area contends with high pollution from industrial giants like the Chevron Richmond Refinery, traffic congestion, and air toxins — contributing to elevated rates of respiratory illnesses and cancer. Over half of renters are cost-burdened, and the community faces additional climate risks like flooding from sea level rise and extreme heat worsened by the urban heat island effect.
In response, the North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative emerged as a transformative, community-led effort to address these challenges head-on. A collaborative effort led by Contra Costa County, including Urban Tilth, CHDC, The Watershed Project, and Richmond Land. The initiative envisioned a greener, healthier, and more self-sufficient North Richmond. Projects included decarbonizing homes, revitalizing Las Deltas public housing into energy-efficient units, building eco-friendly units, and transforming Verde Elementary’s school yard into a vibrant, green space to support student well-being. Other efforts, like tree planting, an E-Bike Lending Library, expanded community gardens, and improvements to Wildcat Creek to prevent flooding, aimed to reduce pollution, improve access to fresh food, and create safe, communal green spaces.
A key component of the initiative is Urban Tilth’s North Richmond Farm Community Resilience Center. Designed to serve as an emergency hub during refinery accidents and wildfire smoke events, the center would also support year-round community health and engagement. Plans include a farm store offering fresh, locally grown produce, a community kitchen, children’s garden, CERT, CPR, and first aid training for local residents, as well as wellness programming for seniors and families. Additionally, the center aims to provide workforce development opportunities, certification training, and mentorship programs — empowering local youth and adults, especially those facing employment barriers, with skills in sustainable farming, watershed restoration, and environmental stewardship.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative a transformative $19 million grant—a lifeline that promised to reshape the community’s future. However, this win was short-lived. After selecting the project, finalizing the contract, and making it active in ASAP, the EPA unexpectedly shut down its environmental justice offices nationwide, suspended this vital grant, and now lists the grant along with 400 others as awaiting cancellation. These projects are shovel-ready; The Resiliency Center, for example, already has building permits, CEQA, along with design plans complete, and the final step is now to secure funding. For decades, North Richmond has awaited an investment of this magnitude. The grant emerged as a pivotal turning point for North Richmond’s developmental trajectory. The loss is a devastating blow to the initiative’s momentum. Yet, it has not deterred the community’s determination to see these projects through.
Urban Tilth and its partners remain resolute. They are exploring alternative funding avenues, supporting the county’s legal efforts to challenge the EPA’s decision, and pressing forward with renewed commitment. North Richmond’s resilience is undeniable — this setback has only strengthened the resolve to build a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable future.
Contra Costa County’s proven track record of managing state and federal grants and the extensive experience of the community organizations, the initiative remains in capable hands.
With a strong foundation of community involvement, diversified revenue streams, and ongoing partnerships, the North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative is poised for long-term success, delivering lasting environmental, health, and economic benefits to the region. Urban tilth and other partners have no intention of giving up on these projects, and are currently looking for alternative funding sources.
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If you can offer any support securing resources to make these projects a reality, please reach out to Doria Robinson at doria@urbantilth.org.
Included Projects:
Las Deltas Housing Project (Community Housing Development Corporation – CHDC)
A revitalization effort to transform abandoned public housing into affordable, energy-efficient single-family homes across multiple sites in North Richmond.
Las Deltas Community Garden (Richmond LAND – RLAND)
Two garden sites on Giaramita and 6th St aim to provide fresh produce, green space, and community gathering spots.
Verde K-8 Greening Project (Urban Tilth)
Plans include transforming the playground, garden, and back fence area at Verde Elementary into a vibrant, green, and shaded outdoor space for students.
E-Bike Lending Library (Rich City Rides, fiscally sponsored by Urban Tilth)
Located at 308 Market Ave, this project offers an electric bike lending program to improve local transportation access and reduce carbon emissions.
Wildcat Creek Trail Expansion Project (Contra Costa County Public Works/Flood Control District)
A trail realignment to make space for an expanded sediment basin, enhancing flood management and creek health from 6th Street to the railroad tracks.
North Richmond Farm Community Resiliency Center (Urban Tilth)
A community hub at 323 Brookside Drive, featuring workforce development programs like the Rudy Lozito Fellowship, Summer Apprentice Program, Basins of Relations Apprenticeship, and Orchard for All!
North Richmond Greening Project (The Watershed Project – TWP)
Includes creek stewardship activities at Verde K-8, Wildcat Creek cleanups, and an Urban Tree Canopy Project to increase greenery across unincorporated North Richmond.
Energy Efficient Home Upgrades and Appliance Installation Project (Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development)
Supports energy-saving upgrades and appliance installations for homeowners in unincorporated North Richmond, helping to lower utility costs and reduce carbon emissions.