From Grants to Ground Breakings: Progress Update on the Affordable Housing Project

Habitat for Humanity ground breaking in James City County Saturday November 5, 2022. Jovan Burton Exec Director of the Partnership for Housing Affordability. Photo Credit: Consociate Media

The Partnership for Housing Affordability (PHA) has been hard at work administering grant funds to nonprofits throughout the region. The goal is to make affordable housing a reality for many while bringing awareness of its importance.

The funds for this initiative are part of a $3 million grant program Virginia Housing awarded to PlanRVA to address housing needs in the Greater Richmond region. With its dedication to affordable housing and shared focus on regional collaboration, PlanRVA brought PHA in to manage the grant funds.

"We are immensely grateful for and celebrate the dedication of the nonprofits involved in bringing these housing projects to fruition," PHA Executive Director Jovan Burton said.

PHA estimates that there will be 270 units built across the region by June 30, 2025.

Below are a few recent milestones and updates on housing projects across the region.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) Hands-On Training and Open House

Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg hosted an intensive ICF Hands-On Training program in April. This program, supported by $150,000 in PDC funding and four experienced volunteer ICF installer crews, aimed at equipping participants with expertise in ICF construction techniques. As part of the training, an open house was held at The Pines, a site for four single-family homes. Attendees had the opportunity to witness the completion of the building, bracing, and pouring of the ICF walls, signifying a significant step towards providing sustainable, energy-efficient homes for the community.

Carter Family's Home Dedication

The Carter Family’s Home Dedication took place on February 21 and was a celebration of the collaborative efforts of the community.

The Carter Family’s Home Dedication was a celebration of the collaborative efforts of the community. On February 21, a heartwarming ceremony was held to commemorate Latieka Cater and her family's new home. Developed by Habitat for Humanity International, Family Home Dedications are a testament to the hard work and contributions made by the community. This event remains a cornerstone for Habitat for Humanity affiliates.

The Carter Family dedication featured a presentation recapping the journey for Latieka to become a homeowner. After a few words from Latieka herself, refreshments and guided tours offered an opportunity for attendees to see firsthand the positive impact of affordable housing on families' lives.

Crane Day Celebrations

On February 23, Habitat for Humanity-Powhatan celebrated the first modular home partnership undertaken by a Habitat affiliate in the Richmond region.

Habitat for Humanity-Powhatan marked a momentous occasion on February 23 with Crane Day festivities as the two halves of Nikki and Aiden Chrimes’ home were craned in and placed on a masonry foundation. This event represented the first modular home partnership undertaken by a Habitat affiliate in the Richmond region. Supported by a $50,000 allocation from the PDC program, the construction of this modular home highlights the innovative approaches being embraced to address the pressing need for affordable housing. A video from this year’s “crane day” event held by Habitat Powhatan can be found here.

These milestone events showcase the progress and commitment of PHA’s mission in creating affordable housing options across the region. The collaboration between PlanRVA, PHA, Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and other nonprofit vendors is driving positive change under this grant project.

Together, we celebrate the strides made thus far and look forward to witnessing the transformative power of affordable housing as it continues to shape the lives of families and communities in our region.