Habitat for Humanity Charlottesville’s redevelopment of Sunrise Park models mixed-income, intergenerational housing

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is a need to address affordable housing opportunities for communities and neighborhoods. Also, there is a need to create homes where people can age in place. Intergenerational housing is a useful strategy that is intended to transform both these existing conditions into sustainable communities that are walkable and transit oriented.

One current example of this model can be found in Charlottesville, Virginia. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville set out to transform a trailer park community named Sunrise Park into single family homes, duplexes and condominiums.

In 2004, Habitat purchased the 16-unit trailer park and made a promise to existing residents that they would have guaranteed housing. Nine of the 16 families elected to stay. Sunrise Park occupies one full city block and when completed in 2013, it will contain up to 66 housing units, including 20 duplex houses, 20 single family homes and a condo building with 15 apartments.

The design was modeled as a community hub to bring existing and aspiring residents together and enable them to share common amenities, such as a communal backyard space. Watch Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville's video, Saving Sunrise, to learn more about the development process of this community.

If you cannot view the video directly from the blog post or by clicking on the link above, copy and paste the url into your internet browser.
http://youtu.be/r4upZAzxZ3w

Are you ready to become a non-profit organization? (Part 1)

Virginia's non-profits meet many housing needs. Monica Jefferson shares insight from experience in helping organizations blossom from thought to reality. 


Many of us have a desire or passion to make a difference in our community. We see needs or major issues that need to be resolved. We discuss it with colleagues, family and friends. Then the suggestion is made by your center of influence to start a non-profit organization.  Many of us have informal non-profit groups based on personal and professional networks. But is starting a new non-profit necessary to serve the community?

Consider the following questions before you begin filing your articles of incorporation with Virginia’s State Corporation Commission (SCC).

Beyond Bricks & Sticks. A weekly digest of current trends in housing and community development. The discussion examines topics from infrastructure to community fabric.

Housing Event

Mapping RVA: A Fair Housing Multimedia Exhibition

(RECAP: Didn't get a chance to stop by during Fair Housing Month? HOME's multimedia fair housing exhibition is still on display!)
http://www.phonehome.org/?utm_source=First+Friday+RVA+4-30-13&utm_campaign=maprva4-30-13&utm_medium=email

General Housing

De Blasio: City Is In Dire Need Of More Affordable Housing

(RECAP: New York Public Advocate's Plan Would Preserve 200,000 Units Over 10 Years)
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/04/28/de-blasio-city-is-in-dire-need-of-more-affordable-housing/

Housing with Services

Shelly Perkins of Lite98 Talks About "Walking in Their Shoes"

(RECAP: "One thousand people, homeless children, single adults and families are right around Richmond at any given time,"said Bill Bevins in an on-air discussion about Affordable Housing Week.)
http://partnershipaffordablehousing.com/shelly-perkins-of-lite98-talks-about-walking-in-their-shoes/

Community Investment

E*TRADE Bank Grants $150,000 to Habitat for Humanity NOVA

(RECAP:  Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia announces with gratitude a $150,000 grant by E*TRADE Bank.)
http://www.habitatnova.org/etrade-bank-grants-150000-to-habitat-for-humanity-of-northern-va/