Richmond HUD Breaks Ground for Affordable Housing

Breaking Ground: Jeanne Evans, representing U.S. Senator Jim Webb's office; Dr. Laverne Joseph, RHF; Mayor Fraim, City of Norfolk; Senator Yvonne Miller, VA Senate; Ray East, RHF National Board member; Rev. Linwood Daughtrey, Village Pointe Resident Council President; W. Sheppard Miller, Norfolk Redevelopment Housing Authority Commission Chair; Kenneth Alexander, VA House of Delegates; Angelica Light, President CEO, The Norfolk Foundation; Rev. Lilton Marks, Chesapeake Fellowship UCC; Charles Famuliner, Acting Field Office Director; Steve Compo, Compo Construction Co; and Thomas Morrisette, Morrisette Architecture.

On September 30,2009 HUD Richmond, VA acting Field Office Director, Charles Famuliner, joined City of Norfolk Mayor Fraim, Council Member Whibley along with the developer, Retirement Housing Foundation, and others to break ground for Village Gardens, a 40-unit affordable apartment community for older adults. Financing for the development, construction and operation of the project was provided by HUD's Section 202 Program ($4.4 million), and the Norfolk Foundation ($187,000).

The mission of the Retirement Housing Foundation (RHF) is to provide various housing options and services for older adults, low-income families, and persons with disabilities, in an environment which enhances their quality of life; physically, mentally, and spiritually. RHF is one of the nation's largest non-profit sponsors and managers of affordable housing and services for older adults, low-income families, and persons with disabilities. There are 157 RHF communities in 24 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than 16,000 people call an RHF community "home". RHF was founded by two ministers and a lay person of the United Church of Christ (UCC). They are a recognized ministry of the Council of Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) of the UCC. Currently, RHF has four communities in Virginia serving 313 seniors.

Content Archived: May 11, 2011