Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond and the Partnership for Housing Affordability (PHA) are proud to announce that Highland Grove, a 253-unit mixed-income community in Richmond's Northside, has received $2.5 million in funding from the Virginia Workforce Housing Investment Program, administered by Virginia Housing. The award will support the construction of 53 affordable, for-sale homes at Highland Grove for mortgage-ready households earning between 80 to 120 percent of Area Median Income. project:HOMES, the Better Housing Coalition, Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, and the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust will construct and sell the homes to income-qualified buyers.

"This $2.5 million award builds on the strong momentum behind the Highland Grove development and the many partnerships which have turned it into reality," said Mayor Danny Avula. "By continuing to invest in mixed-income housing, we're committing to a future where all of our residents can realize a path to homeownership for generations to come. We have a long way to go, but achievements like this are critical in laying a strong foundation."

The development of Highland Grove began in 2012 with the construction of 128 rental units consisting of apartments and townhomes. The homeownership phase of the project broke ground in 2024 and includes a total of 125 for-sale homes including detached single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes-60 homes designated affordable for 80% AMI and 120% AMI buyers and 65 market-rate units constructed by private sector builder Eagle Construction. This mixed-income approach provides a more equitable housing model and meets a need for attainable homeownership options. The Better Housing Coalition serves as the master developer of Highland Grove and is responsible for the community's infrastructure improvements including sidewalks, streets, utilities, lighting, and landscaping.

"This award is a paragon example of collaboration," said Jovan Burton, Executive Director of the Partnership for Housing Affordability. "By bringing the city, non-profit partners, and state partners together, we will be able to provide greater housing opportunities to Richmond families. Highland Grove really does stand as a model for how mixed-income housing communities can erase inequities in housing attainment."

The Workforce Housing Investment Program was launched in 2024 by Governor Glenn Youngkin. The Program is aimed specifically to help catalyze investment in housing for middle-income workers in communities experiencing job growth. Increasing the supply of affordable housing in the City of Richmond is essential to expanding economic development growth. These new, for-sale homes will allow Richmond to safeguard the city's ability to grow inclusively, support essential workers, and increase the return on investment that housing delivers to the local economy.

Site work on the second phase of Highland Grove has already started. The City of Richmond has extended water, sewer, and other utilities for each home site. Construction of new homes is underway with homes being delivered as early as Q2 2026 and a project completion date of December 2027.

About Partnership for Housing Affordability 

The Partnership for Housing Affordability envisions a coordinated, regional approach to affordable housing that is supported by the citizens and elected leadership of the jurisdictions that make up the Richmond metropolitan area. With the commitment of needed resources and the adoption of necessary policies by local leaders, Richmond residents can live in vibrant and sustainable communities, characterized by a breadth of diversity among the residents, a variety of affordable housing choices, the integration of needed services, efficient use of the public infrastructure, and strategic preservation of natural resources. The Partnership for Housing Affordability was founded in 2004 as a philanthropic extension of the Richmond Association of REALTORS® in response to housing needs in our communities, we champion policies, developments, and programs for quality affordable housing in the Richmond region. For more information, please visit https://pharva.com/.