Historic Downtown Tappahannock is helping one of Virginia’s most historic downtowns imagine what comes next. Set along the Rappahannock River, Tappahannock’s downtown district holds deep history, local character, and significant opportunity. With 14 buildings dating back to the 18th century and a place on the National Register of Historic Places, the downtown reflects generations of community life, commerce, and connection. 

For nearly 50 years, the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AHIP) has worked to preserve safe, affordable homeownership for families across Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Through critical home repairs, AHIP helps residents remain safely housed, maintain stability, and stay connected to the communities they call home. But as housing challenges grow more complex and community needs continue to rise, AHIP recognized that sustaining this work for the future would require more than strong services alone — it would require investing in the long-term strength and sustainability of the organization itself.  

Just over a century ago, Newport News, Virginia, became home to one of the first hospitals in the United States designed and operated by African American citizens. Whittaker Memorial Hospital represents a triumph in resiliency born out of the Reconstruction and Segregation eras when Black patients and physicians were shut out from quality medical care across the country. Today, what remains of Whittaker Memorial Hospital now serves families with high-quality affordable housing units, carrying on the legacy of a building that serves the Newport News community with the same spirit of care and commitment.  

In the outskirts of Charlottesville, a revolutionary housing development is reshaping the lives of hundreds of families. Southwood, a former mobile home park now undergoing an innovative redevelopment by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, exemplifies how community-driven efforts can break the cycle of housing insecurity while preserving the spirit of a neighborhood. 

Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County has been dedicated to providing affordable housing to families in need. Over the years, this volunteer-driven organization has built or rehabilitated about one home annually. In recent years, the organization has sought to amplify its impact and create more housing opportunities for residents in Franklin County. Their turning point came when they participated in the Mission Elevation Program.

VCDC's Technical Assistance (TA) Program offers unique benefits to our partners in affordable housing to help them obtain the resources they need to create real change in their communities. Recently, we used TA funds to support training services for over 80 property managers and maintenance staff at our affordable communities across Virginia.

Housing Alexandria, a nonprofit developer based in Northern Virginia, is dedicated to creating homes and community-focused spaces that empower the residents of Alexandria. With over 840 affordable homes delivered and 400 additional rental units currently planned for construction, the organization has significantly impacted the Alexandria region. As Housing Alexandria has grown, CEO Jon Frederick and COO Elisa Mondragon recognized the need for strategic guidance to tackle new, ambitious projects. To address this, they joined Cohort 6 of VCDC’s Mission Elevation program.

The Judeo-Christian Outreach Center (JCOC) is a community-focused organization that provides essential services to low-income and vulnerable residents including an emergency shelter, a veteran transitional housing program, a food pantry, and a day support program. Recently, JCOC reached a major milestone in their mission to empower communities after beginning renovations for a campus that will create 38 new supportive housing homes for people experiencing homelessness in Virginia Beach. As JCOC has expanded, Executive Director Todd Walker and Development Director Kristin Ward recognized the need to enhance their administrative, financial, grant management, and fundraising capacities. To address these needs, they joined VCDC’s Mission Elevation (ME) program.

Originally constructed in 1890 as a bustling hotel, the Fairfax Hall building in Waynesboro, VA has seen many transformations and held many different faces. The structure operated until the early 1900's as the Brandon Hotel and was later used as a music institute, Brandon Hall, until it eventually converted into a junior college for girls. Today, thanks to the support and assistance from the city of Waynesboro, local public entities, and VCDC, Fairfax Hall has been transformed and updated into 54 high-quality affordable homes for senior citizens.

Nestled in West Virginia’s serene Monongahela Forest of the Appalachian Mountains, the Tygart Hotel shines as a treasured community staple in the City of Elkins, WV. In March, the new-and-improved Tygart Hotel opened to an outpouring of support and excitement from Elkins residents, state and local legislators, visitors, and more. After 8 years of planning and development, the Tygart Hotel now brings 56 boutique hotel rooms and 57 vital jobs to Elkins.

"The Listener” is the newest downtown mural created by artist Nico Cathcart in collaboration with the Newport News Street Museum and the Contemporary Arts Network Foundation. Using the Warwick Apartments building as a canvas, Cathcart pays tribute to the historic site in her design of The Listener, who is affectionately known as “Mr. Warwick” to residents of the building.

As a part of our mission to create vibrant homes in thriving neighborhoods for all, we are committed to working with our partners create homes that individuals with disabilities are proud to live in. Over the years, we have worked with partners to help create 19 communities that prioritize accessibility and comfort for individuals with disabilities in need of affordable housing.

Just three years after the initiation of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program in Virginia, VCDC made its inaugural investment of over $1 million in LIHTC equity to establish Monticello Vista Apartments, providing homes for seniors and families in Charlottesville, VA. Monticello Vista comprises 50 affordable apartment homes designed with convenient accessibility features and amenities.

Studio Two Three is a forward-thinking nonprofit art studio in Richmond, VA with a mission to empower artists to create civic change and community engagement through art. After 13 years of growth, Studio Two Three decided to explore the opportunity of purchasing a permanent home for their high-performing studio. Our lending affiliate, VCDF, helped Studio Two Three receive an $800,000 loan so the organization can make an impact in their forever home.

This February, the housing community lost Karl Bren, an instrumental leader who changed the landscape of affordable and sustainable housing across Virginia. Since the 1990’s, Karl was a key player in the creation of several nonprofit organizations and groups focused on affordable housing, homelessness services, and green building.

Allison Bogdanovic is the Executive Director of Virginia Supportive Housing, Virginia’s first and largest nonprofit organization that develops and manages permanent supportive housing for homeless adults. She’s seen a lot of change and growth during her time at the organization, and joining the first cohort of Mission Elevation in 2016 did more than just boost and amplify that growth – it helped her learn how to face uneasy challenges and reframe VSH’s mindset to make a bigger impact in the communities they serve.

“Being a part of initiatives and cohorts such as Mission Elevation allows you to take a step back from our day-to-day innerworkings and be more strategic about the future.”

The Toms Brook Apartments are located just Northwest of Shenendoah National Park in Toms Brook, Virginia. In 2010, we partnered with People Incorporated of Virginia to help restore this historic school building into affordable homes for individuals and families. VCDC invested over $1.6 million in the restoration of Toms Brook Apartments, which includes Low-Income Housing Tax credit equity from our Housing Equity Fund XV and Federal Historic Equity.