With a focus on being resident-led and creating resident economic opportunities, redevelopment allows us to improve the physical condition of our public housing communities and cultivate a more hopeful future for –and with– our residents.
~The redevelopment of public housing is a necessary and unprecedented investment in our future~
For our residents, redevelopment brings better housing, improved quality of life, expanded economic opportunity, enhanced resident services, and a chance to shape their own destiny.
For CRHA, redevelopment brings new and improved housing stock and new funding streams to help the agency meet its obligations.
For the City of Charlottesville, redevelopment brings major additions to our community’s affordable housing inventory, safer and healthier neighborhoods, and substantial effort to reduce poverty.
CRHA’s Redevelopment process complies with PHAR’s (Public Housing Association of Residents) Positive Vision for Redevelopment. From picking the colors of the kitchen counters to choosing an architect, our redevelopment approach places residents at the forefront of every substantive decision in the redevelopment process.
In accordance with the Residents’ Bill of Rights for Redevelopment, CRHA has promised to prioritize residents for economic opportunities related to redevelopment including jobs, homeownership, and contracting opportunities.
For more information about these opportunities and who to contact if interested, refer to our Section 3 Program Page.
Originally built in 1976, Crescent Halls is CRHA’s affordable housing community for seniors and persons with disabilities. In 2019, CRHA began the redevelopment process of the, then, neglected building. The process was completed in March 2024
Originally built in September of 1981, South First Street’s redevelopment will be completed in two phases. The first phase of the process has been completed and includes 62 apartments in three new, affordable garden-style apartment buildings. The first phase also included a new community center, fitness center, and office center on the old “ballfield.” The second phase of the project will include around 50 newly constructed affordable townhomes and four new affordable apartment buildings on the remainder of the property. In total, there will be 113 homes (a mixture of townhouses and apartments), a community center and office.
Originally built in March of 1981, Sixth Street’s redevelopment will be completed in two phases. “Building A” will replace six existing townhomes on the Monticello Ave. side with a four-story affordable apartment building which includes amenities such as an elevator, structured parking, a medical clinic, and a variety of community spaces. Phase two will include a mix of townhomes and apartments. When the project is complete, it will total 47 units.
When CRHA decided to pursue redevelopment of its properties, it acknowledged some sites would not see full scale reconstruction. But they were in need of major repairs and modernization. Thus, the “Parallel Track” effort began. This brought ongoing changes to 57 homes on Michie Drive, Riverside and Madison Avenues.
Westhaven is CRHA’s oldest and largest public housing community. Originally built in 1964, Westhaven was constructed after the razing of Vinegar Hill, one of Charlottesville’s historically black neighborhoods, during a time of “Urban Renewal.” Currently, Westhaven is in the master planning progress. You can be involved! Details are on our partner website residentsofwh.com.
“City of Charlottesville Housing Needs Assessment,” Charlottesville Department of Neighborhood Development Services, April 2018
“Comprehensive Regional Housing Study and Needs Assessment,” Central Virginia Regional Housing Partnership, March 2019
“The Impact of Racism on Affordable Housing in Charlottesville,” Charlottesville Low Income Housing Coalition, February 2020
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