Youngkin announces affordable housing loans

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The state will lend more than $18 million to create 10 affordable, income-restricted housing developments in the Richmond area, Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin has announced.

The area’s first proposed “agrihood” is among the projects selected to receive one of Virginia’s Affordable Housing and Special Needs loans.

The Youngkin administration agreed to lend $700,000 to support the “agrihood” proposal three nonprofits are spearheading. The administration’s goal is to develop a 10-home affordable subdivision in Chesterfield County that features gardens and orchards to provide residents and neighbors with fresh food.

The partnership on the project, proposed for 7 acres at 2600

Mr. Chavis

Swineford Road, located off Iron Bridge Road in the Bensley section, includes the Maggie Walker Community Land, Girls for a Change and Happily Natural Day.

Duron Chavis of Happily Natural Day said the group is still pursuing rezoning and undertaking other pre-development work. The team hopes to break ground later this year, according to Bensley Agrihood’s website.

The Better Housing Coalition was awarded three loans totaling nearly $5.5 million to support development of the Colebrook Apartments in Chesterfield, the expansion of the Carter Woods senior housing development in Henrico County, and the Lafayette Gardens development in Richmond.