STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) has announced that it has received $1.2 million from Virginia Housing’s Regional Housing Development Program (RHDP) to support the development of new affordable housing units in Waynesboro and Harrisonburg.

The grant award builds on the success of Virginia Housing’s 2022 Planning District Commission (PDC) Housing Development Program. The RHDP aims to create replicable models of affordable and workforce housing to meet growing demand across the Commonwealth.

Virginia’s Planning District Commissions were established “to encourage and facilitate local government cooperation and state-local cooperation in addressing on a regional basis problems of greater than local significance.” Since housing affordability is one such regional challenge, PDCs can play a unique role in leading collaborative efforts that address the growing demand for affordable housing throughout the Commonwealth.

The CSPDC recently released its Regional Housing Study which identified a shortage of affordable rental options in the Staunton-Augusta Waynesboro and Harrisonburg Metropolitan Statistical Areas. In response, the CSPDC is supporting two projects that will bring 176 affordable rental units to the region. These homes will serve residents earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with a focus on supporting workers in service and support roles.

The projects include the 1030 Alston Court development in Waynesboro, led by Enterprise Community Development, Inc.—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and one of the largest nonprofit owners and developers of affordable housing in the Mid-Atlantic region. Also included is the BJS Harrisonburg Family I Project in Harrisonburg, developed by the Beverly J. Searles Foundation, Inc., a Georgia-based nonprofit that has built more than 800 affordable housing units nationwide. Both projects will receive $560,000 in Regional Housing Development Funds.

“Enterprise Community Development is a mission-driven organization that looks forward to partnering with CSPDC to provide more affordable housing in Waynesboro, VA by building 96 new apartment homes at 1030 Alston Court,” said Zachary Marks, executive vice president, head of real estate development, Enterprise Community Development. “This grant will help us build four three-story garden style apartments with a stand-alone clubhouse to help address the region’s critical need for housing. This new community at 1030 Alston Court will serve a wide range of families with incomes in the 30%– 80% area median income range and 8 apartments will be set aside for households with disabilities.”

“The Beverly J. Searles Foundation is honored and humbled to be selected by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission to receive these funds,” said Philip E. Searles, president of The Beverly J. Searles Foundation. “Our commitment to providing quality affordable housing for local families, ensuring that everyone has access to a safe home, is secured with these funds.” “We strive to be a strong community development partner, going beyond housing to empowering our residents through strong social programs focused on food access, education and healthcare,” Searles stated. “We look forward to creating housing opportunities for families to enjoy everything that makes Harrisonburg a wonderful place to call home.”

CSPDC Commission Chair Frank Friedman commented on the announcement: “CSPDC is thrilled to continue our work with Virginia Housing, local partners and developers to build new and truly affordable homes in our region. We are committed to implementing local and regional strategies from our Regional Housing Study, and this is a tremendous step in the right direction.”