Better Housing Coalition

What attracts residents to a community?

Better Housing Coalition — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:31:06 +0000

The following post was made by David Herring, VP of BHC’s Center for Neighborhood Revitalization:

This article from the Urban Land Institute explores why people are intrinsically drawn to unique and distinctive places. It mirrors BHC’s philosophy on the kinds of communities we endeavor to create.

http://urbanland.uli.org/Articles/2012/April/McMahonDistinctive

Financial Stability: The First Critical Step to Home Ownership

Better Housing Coalition — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:11:49 +0000

Are you interested in becoming a homeowner but need help getting your personal finances in order? Join Better Housing Coalition and VHDA for a 2-part workshop about attaining financial stability – the first critical step in the process of home ownership. See the flyer below for details. Contact David Herring to register at 804-644-0546 x37 or d.herring@betterhousingcoalition.org.

Get Involved with BHC this May

Better Housing Coalition — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:07:02 +0000

We hope to see you at these upcoming Better Housing Coalition events!

Wednesday, May 16

BHC “Community Give Back” Night at Mosaic Cafe

BHC will be the beneficiary of Mosaic Cafe and Catering’s “Community Give Back” nigt on Wednesday, May 16. Come support BHC while enjoying delicious food and drinks at their restaurant (6229-A River Road, Richmond, VA 23229). Mosaic has catered many BHC events and always gets rave reviews. Just tell the hostess you’re there for Better Housing Coalition!

Mosaic will donate 13 percent of the pre-tax receipts from 5 – 9 p.m. sales to BHC. Guest bartenders will serve up the fun, and generous tips will be much appreciated – they’ll go straight to BHC!

For more information, please call or email Andrea Butler at 804-644-0546 x36.

Thursday, May 3 & Wednesday, May 23

BHC Community Bus Tours

Relax in our comfy bus and see first-hand how BHC provides innovative solutions to Richmond’s critical shortage of affordable housing. Please contact Andrea Butler or Drew Melson if you are interested in attending. Tours run from noon – 2 pm, with lunch provided.

Andrea Butler – 804-644-0546 x36
Drew Melson – 804-644-0546 x23

What Can You Do About Blight in Your Neighborhood? (UPDATE)

Better Housing Coalition — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:46:08 +0000

BHC’s Center for Neighborhood Revitalization offered a free seminar on Saturday, April 14, 10 am – noon explaining the complexities of blight and the spectrum of tools to tackle it. The seminar was held at the Robinson Theater in Church Hill (2903 Q Street, Richmond, VA 23223). Presenters included Lane Pearson and representatives from the City Attorney’s Office and the City Planning and Development Review Department.

“Vacant properties in disrepair are breeding grounds for crime and tear at the fabric of communities,” said Lane Pearson, program director for BHC’s Center for Neighborhood Revitalization.

Update: Visit our Facebook page to view photos from the seminar.

Sponsored by the City of Richmond and Richmond Association of REALTORS.

Media Coverage from Beckstoffer’s Mill Opening

Better Housing Coalition — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:53:53 +0000

BHC would like to thank all of our friends and community partners who came out to celebrate the grand opening of the Beckstoffer’s Mill Apartments in Church Hill on Wednesday, March 28. In case you missed it, the event was well covered by local media. Click below to learn more about BHC’s latest revitalization initiative, and what’s still to come on the 1200 block of N. 28th Street.

Richmond Times-Dispatch – Former lumber mill in Church Hill converted into apartments

WCVE FM – Better Housing Coalition Opens 22 Loft Apartments On Church Hill, Breaks Ground for Senior Units

Photos are posted on our Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/betterhousingcoalition

Left to right: Rev. Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Good Shepherd Baptist Church; Penny McPherson, Wells Fargo; Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille, 7th District; Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones; BHC President/CEO T.K. Somanath; Talley Baratka, Capital One; Robert Blue, Dominion Resources

Press Release: BHC Opens Renovated Lumber Mill Apartments

Better Housing Coalition — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:47:00 +0000

Better Housing Coalition Opens Renovated Lumber Mill Apartments and Breaks Ground on 39 Apartments for Low-Income Seniors in Church Hill

New development to include net-zero energy apartments

Richmond, Va. (March 28, 2012)—The Better Housing Coalition (BHC) today celebrated its new mixed-use community centered around the historic Beckstoffer’s Mill in Richmond’s Church Hill neighborhood at 1207 28^th Street.

With the support of several community partners*, BHC transformed the mill into 22 mixed-income, eco-friendly apartments while retaining the building’s historic features.

BHC also broke ground on the second phase of development at Beckstoffer’s which will include 39 apartments for low-income seniors. Seven will be near net-zero energy.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille, the Rev. Dr. Sylvester Smith and officials from Capital One, Dominion Resources and Wells Fargo helped to commemorate the occasion.

“The mixture of affordable, market-rate, and senior housing creates a healthy community,” said T.K. Somanath, BHC’s president and CEO. “We are already seeing signs that this large-scale revitalization is a catalyst for additional investment and development in Church Hill.”

Each of the 22 loft-style apartments is unique and is built to EarthCraft™ standards of energy efficiency. They have open floor plans, high ceilings, skylights, exposed brick walls, washers and dryers in the apartments. Rent includes free wireless access and basic cable, water/sewer/trash/gas and parking. Pets are welcome.

The near net-zero energy apartments for seniors, slated to open in Spring 2013, will include solar panels, triple-glazed windows, and a tight building envelope with high-quality insulation to minimize utility costs.

A three-story building will house 32 additional apartments for low-income seniors. The building will have a memory garden on a rooftop terrace and a variety of other features designed to help seniors live independently in a residential setting. As part of BHC’s formula for creating long-term revitalization, its staff social workers will provide ongoing support services to enable the seniors to age in place.

Click here for the event program.

For information on apartment rentals at Beckstoffer’s, contact Bobbie Fields at 804-222-4395.

The original mill structure houses 22 modern, eco-friendly apartments.

April 23-28 is Affordable Housing Awareness Week!

Better Housing Coalition — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:59:05 +0000

Affordable Housing Awareness Week is coming up April 23-28 offering plenty of ways for you to get involved in the community, from educational seminars to volunteer opportunities. Better Housing Coalition is pleased to be among the local non-profit housing organizations participating in the week’s activities. Visit www.affordablehousingrichmond.com to register for one of our volunteer projects – with your help, we can keep our affordable homes beautiful!

Roanoke Times Editorial: Lawmakers Find New Bailout

Better Housing Coalition — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:01:43 +0000

Those of you following the General Assembly’s plans to divert Virginia’s $70M Housing Settlement Fund away from housing might appreciate this editorial in the Roanoke Times:

Lawmakers find a new bailout

One in four U.S. Working Households Spends More than Half of Income on Housing

Better Housing Coalition — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:52:00 +0000

Bob Newman, our VP of real estate development and COO, passed along the new Housing Landscape 2012 report from the Center for Housing Policy. “With incomes declining and rents increasing, affordable housing is a critical national issue,” said Bob.

Read the report here.

Press Release: BHC names Vice President of Fund Development and Marketing

Better Housing Coalition — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:36:51 +0000

Richmond, VA (Feb. 22, 2012)—The Better Housing Coalition (BHC), a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming communities and changing lives, named Andrea L. Butler vice president, fund development and marketing. In this role she will oversee BHC’s fundraising, community relations, communications, special events and promotional programs.

“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.