BHC’s Beckstoffer’s Mill Loft Apartments received the 2013 Virginia Housing Award for “Best in Housing Preservation/Revitalization” on November 21 at the Governor’s Housing Conference in Norfolk . Greta Harris, president and CEO of BHC, accepted the award. In the photo at left, Senior Economic Advisor Bob Sledd addresses the conference, flanked by Bill Shelton, Director of Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Bill Shelton; and Susan Dewey, Executive Director of the Virginia Housing Development Authority.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development cited Beckstoffer’s Lofts as a unique development of affordable housing in a structure not previously used for housing that contributes to a broader revitalization effort.

The adaptive re-use of the historic Beckstoffer’s Millworks building on N. 28th Street in North Church Hill created 22 mixed-income apartments and is the nucleus of BHC’s Church Hill Awakening capital campaign to revitalize the once-thriving area.

The apartments opened in 2012, and, with the help of many philanthropic supporters, BHC has continued to develop the neighborhood. Now the neighborhood has two buildings with affordable apartments for seniors as well as single family homes for first-time buyers. Beckstoffer’s Mill Loft Apartments have also received two national awards.

The annual Governor’s Housing conference focuses on sharing information to help build strong economies through housing and community development. For information on the conference, visit the website here.