Lawson is proud to share that Market Heights Apartments in Norfolk, VA have been awarded the Home Builders Association of Virginia Multifamily Project of the Year Award.
The HBAV Housing Excellence Awards recognize leadership, engagement, and dedication to the success of the Home Builders Association, community, and Virginia building industry.
Market Heights is a 164-unit income restricted 100% affordable LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit) community in Norfolk’s St. Paul’s district serving residents at 40%, 50%, and 60% AMI. Seventeen apartments are handicapped accessible 504 Compliant units and 80 units are of Universal Design. All indoor and outdoor common spaces exceed accessibility standards, creating a truly inclusive community.
The community features amenities not often associated with affordable housing including a resident community room, secure building access, elevators, fitness center, accessible playground, on-site laundry, bicycle storage, and a dog park with pet washing station. Apartment amenities include granite countertops, in-unit washer/dryer hookups, and modern kitchens with dishwasher in energy efficient Earthcraft certified buildings.
Market Heights is the first property approved under the City of Norfolk’s new resiliency code mandating specific resilient measures applying to flooding, energy efficiency, and building integrity. The site has been raised out of the flood plain and includes a new public sidewalk that improves safety for students walking to the neighboring middle school.
Placing a primary focus on resident health, a $100,000 grant from LISC Hampton Roads powered by Sentara health will fund a food pantry, accessible fitness equipment, and resident telehealth booth for residents. Lawson also partnered with Hope House Foundation and Volunteers of America to provide permanent on-site supportive services for residents with disabilities.
“As a community, we are now beginning to realize that the lack of affordable housing has reached a critical point, and that we have not produced enough housing to keep up with the need.”, said Lawson Chairman, Steve Lawson. “Affordable communities with supportive services like Market Heights are a critical component of the housing solution, but so much more needs to be done.”
