8News tours Richmond’s new affordable housing developments

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Affordable housing remains a pressing issue for many residents in Richmond, as local communities continue to push for more affordable living options in the city. On Wednesday, Mayor Levar Stoney took action to highlight the city’s ongoing efforts to tackle the housing crisis by touring several recently completed and under-construction affordable housing projects across the city. The mayor’s tour included stops at seven redevelopments currently underway or already finished, showcasing a mix of multifamily, mixed-income and single-family homes aimed at providing affordable living for Richmond residents. “You should be able to work here and you should be able to live here as well,” Stoney said. Richmond ends streetlight maintenance contract, considers disbarment after $1.2 million in potential fraud The redevelopment efforts include properties like Armstrong Renaissance and Creighton Court, both of which were previously public housing developments before being reimagined as affordable housing for Richmond residents. Stoney emphasized that a lot of residents are forced to move to other areas because they can't afford to live in the city. "Over the course of the last eight years, we've been able to create, construct or preserve over 6000 units right here in the city of Richmond," Stoney said. Armstrong Renaissance: 1665 North 31st Street 256 multifamily & 36 single-family units Multifamily rental, mixed-income, homeowned Affordable housing under construction in Creighton Court. (Photo: Sahara Sriraman/8News)Affordable housing under construction in Creighton Court. (Photo: Sahara Sriraman/8News)Mayor Levar Stoney tours affordable housing under construction in Creighton Court. (Photo: Sahara Sriraman/8News) Creighton Court: 3146 Nine Mile Road 700 units Multifamily Happening in phases, including replacement units Rental buildings will range from two- and three-story townhouses to stacked townhouses Construction on 14 buildings will be completed by mid-2025 Highland Park Terrace: 1218-1228 East Brookland Park Boulevard 66 units Multifamily Mayor Levar Stoney tours affordable housing already built at Highland Park Terrace. (Photo: Sahara Sriraman/8News) Highland Grove: 2651 Richmond Henrico Turnpike 120 units Mixed-income housing, homeownership opportunities Phase 1 includes building 97 units -- 28 designed for families earning 80% or less for the Area Median Income Will be completed by early 2025 Cameo Apartments: 14 West Jackson Street 67 units Multifamily One mile away from VCU Medical Center Jackson Ward Affordable Homeownership: 708-714 Saint James Street 4 units Single-family homeownership Mayor Levar Stoney tours affordable housing already built at 7000 Carnation Apartments. Photo by Sahara SriramanMayor Levar Stoney answers questions from press. Photo by Sahara Sriraman 7000 Carnation Apartments: 7000 W Carnation St 218 units Multifamily All units will be completed by early 2025 The redevelopment of these housing areas is part of Richmond's broader initiative to provide more affordable housing across the city, with the ultimate goal being to offer safe and affordable living for all residents, regardless of income. The new developments will come with various income requirements, with eligibility determined by a resident’s income level. Each redevelopment is designed to meet the needs of different income brackets, ensuring more people in the city have access to affordable housing. 8News is still waiting to hear back from the Mayor's office on the specific income requirements for each development. Richmond’s top two election officials resign after investigations found misconduct Looking toward the future, Stoney expressed hopes that the city’s affordable housing efforts would continue under the administration of Mayor-elect Danny Avula. "It's our hope that, moving forward, they will continue to add to [affordable housing] by redeveloping Mosby Court, redeveloping Gilpin Court [and] redeveloping Hillside Court," Stoney said. "These are areas where our most vulnerable residents live." For now, only two of the seven developments visited by Mayor Stoney today are still under construction, with completion expected by next year. While the city's work is far from finished, Richmond's ongoing commitment to affordable housing remains clear, with officials promising to continue the momentum of these important developments.