“Andrea brings a strong record of success for high-profile organizations in a variety of sectors,” said T.K. Somanath, president and CEO of BHC. “She is a proven leader and has fresh ideas to connect more people with our mission.”

Butler’s non-profit experience includes serving as communications director for the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and as director of public relations for the National Aquarium in Baltimore. She also has volunteered on BHC’s fund development and marketing committee for four years.

“I have seen BHC turn run-down neighborhoods into remarkable ones, providing stability and a better quality of life for thousands of residents in our region,” said Butler. “Affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it’s a great tool for combating crime and blight while strengthening neighborhoods and families. I look forward to working with BHC’s many supporters and community partners who are vested in making our region better.”

Earlier in her career Butler was vice president of public relations for Priceline.com – responsible for launching the company nationally — and director of public relations for US Airways, Inc.

Butler earned a B.A. in communications from James Madison University and has served as an adjunct instructor at the American University and the University of Richmond’s Institute on Philanthropy. She lives in Richmond with her husband and two daughters.

Click here for Butler’s professional biography.

The new members are:

Anthony Clary, Central Virginia Healthcare Association

Anthony Clary is a mental health specialist at the Central Virginia Healthcare Association where he teaches life skills and coordinates support services for clients. Clary has served as a counselor at several organizations focused on improving lives, including Today’s Youth Services, Family Restoration Services and Youth Empowerment Services. 

Clary received a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree from Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, and is pursuing a Master’s degree in professional counseling.

A recent first-time homebuyer, Clary resides in a home built by BHC in Richmond’s Blackwell community.

Mark M. Gordon, MHA, Bon Secours Health System

Mark Gordon is the CEO of Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center in Midlothian, Va., where he provides leadership for the daily operations of the 130-bed, acute-care hospital. Earlier in his career he served in key leadership positions in Kentucky, Mission Health System in Asheville, NC, Duke Health System, and Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC.

Gordon earned his Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and his Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. 

Michael D. Whitlow, APR, CRT/tanaka 

Michael Whitlow is executive vice president of CRT/tanaka, one of the largest and most respected independent public relations firms in the country, where he leads the firm’s Corporate Practice. His areas of expertise include branding and identity, corporate reputation, crisis preparedness and response, change initiatives and marketing communications.

Prior to joining CRT/tanaka, Whitlow served as vice president, external affairs and investor relations and as vice president of Americas sales and global accounts for Albemarle Corporation. Previously, he held communications positions at Ethyl Corporation and was an adjunct faculty member at University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and served as president of the Old Dominion Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Michael earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from VCU and is an accredited member of PRSA. 

Click here for the BHC Board of Directors page.

Claiborne Square Offers High-Quality, Affordable Housing for Seniors in Halifax

General Public Invited for Ceremony, Tours and Reception

Petersburg, Va. (Jan. 26, 2012)—City and state officials and development partners  dedicated Claiborne Square, the largest development project so far under the Strategic Investment Plan for Petersburg, on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at 2 p.m. at 518 Halifax St.

The general public was invited to attend the dedication and reception for the new affordable housing community for seniors. Guided tours spotlighted the environmentally friendly features of the award-winning community.

Restoration of Petersburg Community Development Corp. (ROPCDC) and the Better Housing Coalition (BHC) have worked together for four years – along with many other public and private entities – to develop high-quality, affordable housing for residents over age 55 at Claiborne Square. It’s the first of several developments that are part of a larger plan to revitalize the Halifax area of Petersburg.

Claiborne Square resident Dorothy Jackson tells the crowd how she loves her new apartment

Claiborne Square received the award for Best Housing Development in Virginia at the 2011 Governor’s Housing Conference. Claiborne Square is also the first multi-family community in Petersburg to be certified by EarthCraft™, the leader in green building standards.

“These new homes are a result of many individuals and organizations that share our commitment to meeting the needs of the community at the neighborhood level,” said Cynthia Martin, executive director of the ROPCDC. “Everyone involved –from planners to financial supporters, builders and City officials — committed to creating an outstanding new community that serves a great need.” 

Five years ago, Virginia LISC brought together more than 1,000 citizens who gave input to the revitalization plan, and Halifax was one of the four neighborhoods they designated as a priority.

Rev. Dr. Robert Diggs, founder of Restoration of Petersburg CDC and pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Halifax, said, “High-quality, affordable housing attracts new businesses, private investment and a sense of pride among residents. We believe Claiborne Square is the spark that will ignite more progress and investment in Halifax.”

About Claiborne Square

The new community is designed for active adults over age 55. It includes 47 units of one- and two-bedroom apartments, energy-efficient features that reduce utility bills, a large community room, a library, a private terrace, on-site laundry facilities, an elevator and secured entrances.

Individual apartments have barrier-free design, wall-to-wall carpet, energy-efficient appliances and individually controlled heating and air conditioning. Safety features include smoke detectors and a heat activated sprinkler system.

BHC’s property management arm will provide ongoing management and maintenance, and its Community Social Work department will have an on-site, ongoing presence to provide support services for residents. Claiborne Square is the seventh community for seniors developed and managed by BHC.

It’s Green Inside and Out

With its EarthCraft™ certification, Claiborne Square meets or exceeds all program standards to conserve energy, lower utility bills and improve indoor air quality. The interior features high-efficiency HVAC systems, quality insulation, Energy Star™ appliances and light fixtures, Low-E windows that allow for more natural light and acts as insulators, and carpets made from recycled materials.

The exterior features solar panels on the main building to heat hot water for laundry facilities, common areas and restrooms; low-maintenance brick and HardiePanel siding; LED exterior lights, and cisterns to capture rainwater to irrigate drought tolerant plants.

Visit the Better Housing Coalition Facebook page for more photos from the dedication ceremony.

The story is also available on the NBC12 website here.

Don’t forget to join BHC and Restoration of Petersburg CDC this Sunday, January 29 for the dedication of Claiborne Square!  The event will take place at 518 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA 23803 beginning at 2:00 pm. We will hold guided community tours followed by a reception in the Tabernacle Baptist Church Community Life Center. For more information, call 804-733-7625 or 804-733-6541.

Edward Bolling is presented with the keys to his new apartment.

“I really like the historic architecture in the neighborhood.  It’s also easy to access from downtown,” said Edward.

Edward says it was more than just the great location that drew him to Beckstoffer’s.  He looked all over Richmond for a quality apartment, and found this community to be the biggest bang for his buck.  He first heard about Beckstoffer’s in August 2011 when it was still under construction.  Now, after moving in, he believes it was worth the wait.

“This is the perfect place for me,” he said.  “I’ll enjoy living here and look forward to meeting my neighbors soon.”

Beckstoffer’s Mill offers modern, energy-efficient homes within the original structure of a historic lumber mill.  Occupying a block on N. 28th Street between R and S Streets, the community will serve as an anchor for further revitalization in the neighborhood.  

Visit our Beckstoffer’s page for more information and photos.

Click here to view the full article.

Better Housing Coalition’s holistic approach to community revitalization has brought positive transformation to several neighborhoods throughout the Greater Richmond region.  Our unique model and long-term committment to our communities and residents has garnered several organizational awards over the years.  Visit our Awards page to see the recognitions we have received for our latest initiatives.

BHC's bungalow house model is one of six models available to first-time homebuyers.

Click here for the full article.  New homes are under construction in Blackwell – visit our home listings page for our current home ownership opportunities!

Lincoln Mews

Lincoln Mews is BHC’s first revitalization initiative in North Richmond and the complete transformation of the former Lincoln Manor apartments. Many of the units were vacant and in serious disrepair at the time that BHC acquired the property in 2008. BHC renovated the community in two phases to prevent the displacement of existing families, and upgraded the apartments with energy-efficient features that significantly lower utility costs for residents. The new Community Center, which also incorporates green building technologies, serves as a central location for BHC’s community social workers to provide free and voluntary enrichment programs for all age groups, including after-school programs, resident counseling, and employment training. A new playground, park, and porch overhangs give children safe places to play in view of their parents and help create a greater sense of community. BHC will continue its revitalization efforts in North Richmond by renovating North Oaks Apartments, directly across the street from Lincoln Mews on North Avenue.