November 1, 2024
Community Housing Partners (CHP), which provides affordable and sustainable housing throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, celebrated a major milestone this week with the grand reopening of Northway Apartments in Galax, Virginia. The event, held on-site at Northway Apartments on Monday, Oct. 28, gathered local and state leaders, project partners, and residents, marking the completion of major renovations in the community.
The event featured remarks from Andy Davenport, CHP’s Vice President of Real Estate Development; Willie Greene, Mayor of Galax; and Maggie Beal, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Davenport expressed gratitude to the many partners and supporters involved, emphasizing the project’s focus on quality housing and sustainability for the 72 apartments at Northway. “These renovations demonstrate CHP’s commitment to creating homes that not only serve the current residents but provide a lasting, environmentally responsible footprint,” he said. “Our focus on energy efficiency and high standards for EarthCraft certification align with our goal to offer affordable, sustainable housing of which residents can truly be proud.”
From left to right: Kristin Moye with Arnold Design Studio; Andy Davenport, Vice President of Real Estate Development at CHP; Cliff Millirons with Virginia Housing; Galax Mayor Willie Green; Jeff Reed, CEO and President of CHP; Galax City Council Member Kathy Burnett; Lance Sutherland, Chief Financial Officer at CHP; Maggie Beal, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade; and Larry Parlo, Director of Construction at CHP.
The event was especially meaningful for Mayor Greene, who described it as a “homecoming” and reflected on his own experience living in the area during the 1980s. During his remarks, the mayor commended the renovations as a testament to the community’s growth and commitment to housing affordability.
Deputy Secretary Beal noted the transformative nature of the renovations at Northway. “It’s remarkable to see the difference between this investment and commitment to community housing versus the other housing available on the market in these price points,” Beal said. “I think this is an incredibly inspiring project, and I hope we’ll do more of them here in Southwest Virginia.” Beal’s comments reflected the Commonwealth of Virginia’s $2.32 million investment in the Northway project.
The $12.4 million renovation project, which began in April 2022 and was recently completed, includes various improvements designed to benefit residents and the community. Arnold Design Studio served as the architect and CHP Construction served as the general contractor for the renovations at Northway. Key upgrades included energy-efficient appliances, water submetering, new balconies, and improved lighting for added safety and accessibility. Kitchens, bathrooms, and flooring in the apartments have also been refreshed, with many enhancements guided by resident feedback gathered through surveys and community meetings. (Read more about the renovations at Northway Apartments.)
CHP is pursuing EarthCraft certification and a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 80 or below, ensuring the renovations provide long-term benefits for residents. The project received funding from several sources, including 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, the Federal Home Loan Bank’s Affordable Housing Program, and Housing Innovations in Energy Efficiency (HIEE) funds administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
Northway is not the only CHP apartment community in Virginia to undergo renovations in 2024. CHP is finishing up major rehabilitations at Holly Court in Kilmarnock, Grayson Manor in Independence, and Wellesley Commons Apartments in Newport News.