December 10, 2024
Community Housing Partners (CHP), which provides affordable and sustainable housing across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, has been recognized as the 2024 Large Non-Profit of the Year by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. This award honors nonprofits that exemplify innovation, community impact, and a commitment to promoting growth and positivity in Montgomery County, Virginia, and the New River Valley.
The award selection process, led by a committee of past winners, evaluates applicants based on their IRS nonprofit designation, commitment to promoting and developing a positive environment for operation and growth in the New River Valley, and their use of innovative strategies for community support and development.
“For nearly 50 years, CHP has been a part of Montgomery County, and this award is a recognition of that legacy,” said Laura Croft, Vice President of Human Capital at CHP. “We’re proud to be an organization that prioritizes sustainability, innovation, and compassion in everything we do.”
Founded in 1975, CHP began as Project Home Repair, a volunteer initiative addressing substandard housing in Southwest Virginia. Over the decades, CHP has grown to include a wide array of services, including real estate development, property management, energy efficiency solutions, homeownership support, and resident services.
In 2023, CHP impacted Montgomery County through its diverse services, which focused on improving housing stability and quality of life for residents. The Energy Solutions division provided weatherization services to 340 low-income households, investing more than $1.5 million in home renovations to reduce energy costs and address health and safety concerns. Additionally, CHP’s Resident Services team supported residents in 337 homes across eight properties, offering tailored programs that promote housing stability, community engagement, and overall well-being.
CHP also advanced housing affordability in the region, including breaking ground on a single-family community in Blacksburg that will increase homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income families. Through the New River Home Trust, CHP preserved affordable housing stock and facilitated homeownership, guaranteeing long-term affordability for local families. (Learn more about the New River Home Trust).
CHP’s recognition as the Large Non-Profit of the Year adds to a growing list of awards highlighting its impact and workplace culture. Earlier this year, CHP was named one of the 2024 Best Places to Work in Virginia by Virginia Business Magazine and the Best Companies Group. Previously, CHP was honored by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce as the Best Place to Work in the nonprofit category in 2019 and ranked among the top 25 Best Places to Work in Montgomery County in 2020.