The Vision
Through a resident-led process, a group of partners are working together to revitalize Charlottesville’s 376 units of Public Housing. In addition to replacing these existing units with safe, comfortable and modern homes, the group also intends to generate significant more affordable housing on the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s (CRHA) 40 acres of land within the city, helping to address the affordable housing crisis.
The Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund (AHOF) was established by Dave Matthews Band and Red Light Management to help raise the funds to make this work possible. Following DMB and Red Light Management's catalyzing gift of $5 Million to the fund, the group has now raised a total of $28M towards a goal of $30M. This private philanthropy helps leverage federal, state and local funding to help build what will ultimately be approximately $200M worth of new, affordable housing.
Construction Updates and Photos
South First Street - Phases One and Two
Phase One of South First Street features the construction of 62 brand new homes. These new homes (which are well underway!) will allow existing residents to move into brand new housing, enabling the remainder of the property for demotion and further redevelopment for South First Phase two.
The first two buildings of phase one are open and residents have just begun to move in! The third building of phase one is expected to be complete in May 2023. Phase Two (which will feature 113 homes) will begin construction Winter 2023.
Crescent Halls
The complete building renovation of this 105-unit building is almost done!
Residents who have endured poor living conditions at Crescent Halls will benefit from a complete renovation that will modernize and improve comfort and safety, including new HVAC systems, rooftop solar panels, updated elevators, new floor layouts and new plumbing.
Construction began in April 2021 and is expected to be complete by March 2023.
Sixth Street
An active group of resident planners have been meeting regularly to discuss how to best redevelop and revitalize this nearly 5-acre property that is adjacent to the IX Park. The parcel will be broken up into construction phases—new housing will be built on open land, allowing for residents to move into new homes and therefore enabling the demolition of existing housing. After the resident planning group selected Grimm + Parker as the architect, a series of collaborative meetings were held to re-imagine how to best use this property to serve its community.
A site plan has been approved for the first phase with a proposed 4-story building housing 44 units of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom homes, open play space and a community health clinic. The project was awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits in March of 2022. Construction is anticipated to start in 2023.
"Housing is more than shelter. Research shows that stable, affordable housing is a lifeline to educational success, health and well-being, and economic security."
-MacArthur Foundation President Julia Stasch
