Affordable Housing Facts, Myths, and Strategies

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What can you do to help address the need for affordable housing in our community?

  1. Get Educated. Learn more, so that you can participate in community conversations from an informed perspective. Check out the FAQ and Myths vs. Facts on this page, where we have tried to address commonly asked questions and concerns.

  2. Ask Questions. Don't understand something about this issue? Use the ASK A QUESTION section below to get more information from Town staff.

  3. Stay Up to Date. Check out the HOUSING STRATEGIES section below, to learn more about affordable housing strategies underway in town.

  4. Provide Context. Share your housing story. Help local leaders and your neighbors understand that more affordable housing is a benefit to you and the community in the SHARE YOUR STORY section below.

  5. Get Engaged. Help be a problem solver by participating in community conversations focused on identifying and addressing housing needs. Let us know how you would like to get involved in the ENGAGE section below. Also, reach out to the Town's Housing staff in the WHO'S LISTENING section of this page, if you have an interest in joining a Housing Advisory group.

Keep scrolling to learn more and engage!

Myth #1 High-density and affordable housing will cause too much traffic.

REALITY: People who live in affordable housing own fewer cars and drive less. Higher-density housing can encourage nearby retail development, along with ease of walking and transit use. Mixing housing with commercial development is increasingly more important for traffic control since non-work trips constitute the largest number of trips. With higher-density housing, stores serving neighborhood residents move in, allowing residents to walk to buy groceries or to the dry cleaner instead of driving. Transit connections also become more common when neighborhood density increases, as transit is only cost-effective at densities above eight to 10 units per acre.

Myth #2 High-density development strains public services and infrastructure.

REALITY: Compact development offers greater efficiency in the use of public services and infrastructure. Higher-density residential development requires less extensive infrastructure networks than sprawl. When communities cannot take advantage of economies of scale in providing infrastructure, costs rise. Higher-density housing helps provide economies of scale both in trunk lines and in treatment plants. The cost savings can be passed on to new residents, and the smaller debt load can help ensure fiscal stability throughout the community.

Infill development can sometimes take advantage of unused capacity in public services and infrastructure. Communities can save taxpayers and new residents money when housing construction is allowed in areas where infrastructure and service capacity has already been paid for and is underutilized. Infill development can also make use of transit and provide better access to services while improving economic viability. Higher-density infill residential development can translate to higher retail sales.

Myth #3. Affordable housing looks “cheap and undesirable.”

REALITY: Builders of affordable housing must comply with all the same restrictions on design and construction standards as market-rate projects. In addition, because affordable housing projects frequently rely on some public money, they have to comply with additional restrictions and requirements than market-rate housing. New affordable housing projects have higher standards for things like the quality and durability of building materials used, energy efficiency standards, and amenities provided. The reality is that affordable housing is affordable because public and private funds go into making it less costly to live in, not because it is lower quality construction.

Myth #4. Affordable housing hurts the quality of local schools and lowers standardized test scores.

REALITY: The opposite is actually true. Without affordable housing, many families become trapped in a cycle of rising rents and have to move frequently to find housing they can afford. This means that their children are not able to stay in the same school for long, resulting in lower test scores on standardized tests.

When a child has a stable home and can remain in a single school system, their test scores rise. It also means children are able to build long-term relationships with peers, teachers, and mentors which are key to increasing performance in elementary and secondary schools. Finally, it increases the likelihood that children will be able to attend college. When housing disruptions are minimized, everybody wins.

Myth #5. People who live in affordable housing won’t fit into my neighborhood.

REALITY: People who need affordable housing already live and work in our community. Households earning lower incomes can have a variety of occupational and educational backgrounds. Families earning less than four-fifths (80%) of the area’s median income are officially lower-income households; families earning less than half of the median are known as very low-income households. For example, a starting elementary or high school teacher, with a gross monthly income of around $3,200, can afford to pay $960 a month in rent, which qualifies as low income if the teacher lives alone; if the salary must support a spouse and a child, the family would be a very low-income household.

Myth #6. Affordable housing reduces property values.

REALITY. No study has ever shown that affordable housing developments reduce property values. Many studies have been done. The truth is the single most significant factor affecting property values is the preexisting value of the land in a given community or area. This, in turn, is based on supply and demand, proximity to major retail centers, nearby attractions, any negative factors such as environmental contaminants, and availability of adequate infrastructure and services. Architectural standards and adequate maintenance also strongly influence property values, particularly as they apply to affordable rental properties. Properly maintained affordable housing developments, designed and built with sensitivity to the architectural and aesthetic standards may even increase property values.

Myth #7 High-density and affordable housing undermine community character.

REALITY. New affordable and high-density housing can always be designed to fit into existing communities. As communities across the U.S. grapple with worsening housing affordability, there is growing interest in how zoning rules could be relaxed to allow smaller, less expensive homes. Often, the choice is posed as a trade-off between detached homes with big yards or large apartment towers. In reality, the housing stock in most communities is much more diverse than these two extremes. Many single-family neighborhoods could easily yield more housing—and more affordable housing—if land-use rules allowed “gentle” increases in density, such as townhomes, two- to four-family homes, and small-scale apartment or condominium buildings.

Click through these tabs below to learn more about what the Town is doing to address this issue, ask a question, and engage on the topic! And make sure to visit this page again for updates on our progress, answers to questions, and to read new housing stories.

What can you do to help address the need for affordable housing in our community?

  1. Get Educated. Learn more, so that you can participate in community conversations from an informed perspective. Check out the FAQ and Myths vs. Facts on this page, where we have tried to address commonly asked questions and concerns.

  2. Ask Questions. Don't understand something about this issue? Use the ASK A QUESTION section below to get more information from Town staff.

  3. Stay Up to Date. Check out the HOUSING STRATEGIES section below, to learn more about affordable housing strategies underway in town.

  4. Provide Context. Share your housing story. Help local leaders and your neighbors understand that more affordable housing is a benefit to you and the community in the SHARE YOUR STORY section below.

  5. Get Engaged. Help be a problem solver by participating in community conversations focused on identifying and addressing housing needs. Let us know how you would like to get involved in the ENGAGE section below. Also, reach out to the Town's Housing staff in the WHO'S LISTENING section of this page, if you have an interest in joining a Housing Advisory group.

Keep scrolling to learn more and engage!

Myth #1 High-density and affordable housing will cause too much traffic.

REALITY: People who live in affordable housing own fewer cars and drive less. Higher-density housing can encourage nearby retail development, along with ease of walking and transit use. Mixing housing with commercial development is increasingly more important for traffic control since non-work trips constitute the largest number of trips. With higher-density housing, stores serving neighborhood residents move in, allowing residents to walk to buy groceries or to the dry cleaner instead of driving. Transit connections also become more common when neighborhood density increases, as transit is only cost-effective at densities above eight to 10 units per acre.

Myth #2 High-density development strains public services and infrastructure.

REALITY: Compact development offers greater efficiency in the use of public services and infrastructure. Higher-density residential development requires less extensive infrastructure networks than sprawl. When communities cannot take advantage of economies of scale in providing infrastructure, costs rise. Higher-density housing helps provide economies of scale both in trunk lines and in treatment plants. The cost savings can be passed on to new residents, and the smaller debt load can help ensure fiscal stability throughout the community.

Infill development can sometimes take advantage of unused capacity in public services and infrastructure. Communities can save taxpayers and new residents money when housing construction is allowed in areas where infrastructure and service capacity has already been paid for and is underutilized. Infill development can also make use of transit and provide better access to services while improving economic viability. Higher-density infill residential development can translate to higher retail sales.

Myth #3. Affordable housing looks “cheap and undesirable.”

REALITY: Builders of affordable housing must comply with all the same restrictions on design and construction standards as market-rate projects. In addition, because affordable housing projects frequently rely on some public money, they have to comply with additional restrictions and requirements than market-rate housing. New affordable housing projects have higher standards for things like the quality and durability of building materials used, energy efficiency standards, and amenities provided. The reality is that affordable housing is affordable because public and private funds go into making it less costly to live in, not because it is lower quality construction.

Myth #4. Affordable housing hurts the quality of local schools and lowers standardized test scores.

REALITY: The opposite is actually true. Without affordable housing, many families become trapped in a cycle of rising rents and have to move frequently to find housing they can afford. This means that their children are not able to stay in the same school for long, resulting in lower test scores on standardized tests.

When a child has a stable home and can remain in a single school system, their test scores rise. It also means children are able to build long-term relationships with peers, teachers, and mentors which are key to increasing performance in elementary and secondary schools. Finally, it increases the likelihood that children will be able to attend college. When housing disruptions are minimized, everybody wins.

Myth #5. People who live in affordable housing won’t fit into my neighborhood.

REALITY: People who need affordable housing already live and work in our community. Households earning lower incomes can have a variety of occupational and educational backgrounds. Families earning less than four-fifths (80%) of the area’s median income are officially lower-income households; families earning less than half of the median are known as very low-income households. For example, a starting elementary or high school teacher, with a gross monthly income of around $3,200, can afford to pay $960 a month in rent, which qualifies as low income if the teacher lives alone; if the salary must support a spouse and a child, the family would be a very low-income household.

Myth #6. Affordable housing reduces property values.

REALITY. No study has ever shown that affordable housing developments reduce property values. Many studies have been done. The truth is the single most significant factor affecting property values is the preexisting value of the land in a given community or area. This, in turn, is based on supply and demand, proximity to major retail centers, nearby attractions, any negative factors such as environmental contaminants, and availability of adequate infrastructure and services. Architectural standards and adequate maintenance also strongly influence property values, particularly as they apply to affordable rental properties. Properly maintained affordable housing developments, designed and built with sensitivity to the architectural and aesthetic standards may even increase property values.

Myth #7 High-density and affordable housing undermine community character.

REALITY. New affordable and high-density housing can always be designed to fit into existing communities. As communities across the U.S. grapple with worsening housing affordability, there is growing interest in how zoning rules could be relaxed to allow smaller, less expensive homes. Often, the choice is posed as a trade-off between detached homes with big yards or large apartment towers. In reality, the housing stock in most communities is much more diverse than these two extremes. Many single-family neighborhoods could easily yield more housing—and more affordable housing—if land-use rules allowed “gentle” increases in density, such as townhomes, two- to four-family homes, and small-scale apartment or condominium buildings.

Click through these tabs below to learn more about what the Town is doing to address this issue, ask a question, and engage on the topic! And make sure to visit this page again for updates on our progress, answers to questions, and to read new housing stories.

Share your Housing Story

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  • Share Shirley Huffman – At Home on Grissom Lane on Facebook Share Shirley Huffman – At Home on Grissom Lane on Twitter Share Shirley Huffman – At Home on Grissom Lane on Linkedin Email Shirley Huffman – At Home on Grissom Lane link

    Shirley Huffman – At Home on Grissom Lane

    by Shirley Huffman – At Home on Grissom Lane, almost 4 years ago

    Shirley Huffman moved to Blacksburg, Virginia four years ago in search of a supportive senior community. She had been living in Radford, Virginia to be close to her daughter, but had a challenging time connecting with the people in her community. Shirley began looking for a new place to live in Blacksburg. She wanted to find a place where she could not only be a part of a community/neighborhood with others in a similar life stage, but also wanted to find a home where she would feel safe and comfortable.

    Shirley was familiar with the college town, having attended Virginia... Continue reading

    Shirley Huffman moved to Blacksburg, Virginia four years ago in search of a supportive senior community. She had been living in Radford, Virginia to be close to her daughter, but had a challenging time connecting with the people in her community. Shirley began looking for a new place to live in Blacksburg. She wanted to find a place where she could not only be a part of a community/neighborhood with others in a similar life stage, but also wanted to find a home where she would feel safe and comfortable.

    Shirley was familiar with the college town, having attended Virginia Tech in 1968. She was a part of the first women’s class at the university. “I really enjoyed the experience,” remarked Shirley. “Things have changed quite a bit since I was a student.”

    Finding a home that met her criteria was a challenge. Shirley is retired and lives on a fixed income. Although she has a Virginia State Housing Voucher to help her pay part of the rent, few places accept the voucher and, for those that do, she still had to be able to afford the amount the voucher does not cover. Shirley eventually found the perfect place: Grissom Lane Apartments, a community of four duplex cottages for residents aged 55 years and up. She added her name to the exceptionally long wait list with the owner, Community Housing Partners, and hoped that a place would become available. When the call came saying that there was a home for her, Shirley felt like she had won the lottery. “All I can say is, that it must have been meant to be,” she said.

    Shirley loves her home in Grissom Lane. “It is close to Kroger, a couple of miles from the doctor’s office, and near Hobby Lobby,” she said. “I like not living next to students and living in a close-knit senior community.” Shirley likes Blacksburg and hopes that the town will invest in more housing options for people. “There is a great need in our community for places for people to live other than student housing or half-million-dollar homes,” she said. “Unless we change the way we think about Blacksburg and who we want to be, our community won’t change.”

  • Share Jenn Million: Walking and Biking from Home is a Top Priority on Facebook Share Jenn Million: Walking and Biking from Home is a Top Priority on Twitter Share Jenn Million: Walking and Biking from Home is a Top Priority on Linkedin Email Jenn Million: Walking and Biking from Home is a Top Priority link

    Jenn Million: Walking and Biking from Home is a Top Priority

    by Jenn Million, almost 4 years ago

    Jenn Million and her family love being active. They spend their quality time together outdoors - kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, and hiking.

    Jenn loves living in Blacksburg, where she works at Virginia Tech and feels connected to the community of students she serves and works alongside. Being able to live in town was a top priority for her and her family, who place a high value on reducing their dependence on cars for transportation. Jenn is passionate about cycling and she devotes a significant portion of her time and energy to advocating for bike and pedestrian safety here in Blacksburg... Continue reading

    Jenn Million and her family love being active. They spend their quality time together outdoors - kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, and hiking.

    Jenn loves living in Blacksburg, where she works at Virginia Tech and feels connected to the community of students she serves and works alongside. Being able to live in town was a top priority for her and her family, who place a high value on reducing their dependence on cars for transportation. Jenn is passionate about cycling and she devotes a significant portion of her time and energy to advocating for bike and pedestrian safety here in Blacksburg. For Jenn, this issue is near to her heart as her main form of transportation is her bike. She says, “I will always advocate for better infrastructure and laws that allow more people to move about by bike or foot.”

    Finding housing near campus wasn’t easy though. The housing market in Blacksburg made it nearly impossible for Jenn’s family to find a home within Town limits, even with two full time incomes. Jenn shared that they would not be living in Blacksburg if it weren’t for a program offered by Community Housing Partners (CHP).

    Jenn shared, “I feel very fortunate to be able to live in Blacksburg. The quality of life that my family experiences wouldn't be the same if we were unable to live where we work, and that opportunity was made available through an affordable housing program. I think there is often a misconception about who utilizes affordable housing options. It is people like me, who love and serve our community.”

    Jenn loves the small town feel of Blacksburg with the amenities of a larger city. She highlighted that the university provides access to culture, arts, sports, and experiences that are not often available in small towns. Because of CHP, Jenn knows that her kids are safe when they ride their bikes to the library or walk to the park. She loves being able to walk to restaurants with her family or ride her bike to the grocery store, and she wants more people to be able to have these same opportunities and to truly be part of the Blacksburg community.

    Jenn Million is currently the President of the New River Valley Bicycle Association. She also serves on the Town of Blacksburg's Corridor Committee, as well as the board of the Virginia Bicycling Federation.

  • Share Betty Whitlock Feels Lucky to Have Found 55+ Housing in Blacksburg on Facebook Share Betty Whitlock Feels Lucky to Have Found 55+ Housing in Blacksburg on Twitter Share Betty Whitlock Feels Lucky to Have Found 55+ Housing in Blacksburg on Linkedin Email Betty Whitlock Feels Lucky to Have Found 55+ Housing in Blacksburg link

    Betty Whitlock Feels Lucky to Have Found 55+ Housing in Blacksburg

    by Betty Whitlock, almost 4 years ago

    Betty fondly remembers the Blacksburg of her youth – a downtown consisting of about 6 stores along Main Street, and beyond that plenty of cornfields. Saturday night’s entertainment was driving downtown with her family to sit on Main Street for a weekly chat with friends and neighbors. “Dad always parked on the right side of the A&P.” Born in 1938, Betty has seen a lifetime of changes in this community where she grew up, went to school, married, raised her children, and had a career.

    Her first home in Blacksburg was on "VPI’s campus." Her dad worked for the dairy... Continue reading

    Betty fondly remembers the Blacksburg of her youth – a downtown consisting of about 6 stores along Main Street, and beyond that plenty of cornfields. Saturday night’s entertainment was driving downtown with her family to sit on Main Street for a weekly chat with friends and neighbors. “Dad always parked on the right side of the A&P.” Born in 1938, Betty has seen a lifetime of changes in this community where she grew up, went to school, married, raised her children, and had a career.

    Her first home in Blacksburg was on "VPI’s campus." Her dad worked for the dairy department and they lived in one of the houses for employees until she was a year old and moved to McDonald Street. Betty’s dad was a fixture in the community--a charter member of the Blacksburg Rescue Squad and the town Santa Claus for many years.

    Blacksburg has grown significantly since Betty was young when her playgrounds were the abundant cornfields surrounding the homes of her and her friends. “Home” in Blacksburg has taken many forms over the years, from her first apartment on Progress Street in a house built by her grandfather to a trailer beside her parents’ house with her expanding family, to the home on Merrimack that she built with her husband, and where they lived until 1990.

    Throughout her life, Betty has witnessed many changes in the landscape of the town, with the growth of the Virginia Tech campus and student population. Now, as a retiree, having worked 27 years at Virginia Tech and 7 years for the Town of Blacksburg, Betty feels lucky to continue to be a part of the community.

    She currently lives in the 55+ Grissom Lane apartments which were built in 2014 by Community Housing Partners, with funding from the NRV HOME Consortium and the Town of Blacksburg. “Everyone who lives here loves the place,” says Betty. “People drive by often to learn about the properties and to ask how they can apply for housing.” Unfortunately, finding accessible and affordable housing options in Town for older adults is challenging, with long waiting lists.

    Betty feels blessed. “Blacksburg is a great place to retire. We need more housing for many of us who grew up here and want to age here.”

  • Share Brandie Lemmon: Building a Life for Her Family in Blacksburg on Facebook Share Brandie Lemmon: Building a Life for Her Family in Blacksburg on Twitter Share Brandie Lemmon: Building a Life for Her Family in Blacksburg on Linkedin Email Brandie Lemmon: Building a Life for Her Family in Blacksburg link

    Brandie Lemmon: Building a Life for Her Family in Blacksburg

    by Brandie Lemmon, almost 4 years ago

    Brandie Lemmon moved to Blacksburg from Connecticut when she was nine years old. Her father is a VT alum and loved the natural beauty of this area, but the biggest reason they returned was for her sister. They felt that her sister would thrive in Blacksburg with its commitment to education and top notch special needs resources.

    Now Brandie and her husband Derek, alumni of Radford University and Virginia Tech, have settled here in Blacksburg with their two children. Brandie is a teacher at Blacksburg United Methodist Preschool and Derek works for Luna Innovations. They are active in their congregation... Continue reading

    Brandie Lemmon moved to Blacksburg from Connecticut when she was nine years old. Her father is a VT alum and loved the natural beauty of this area, but the biggest reason they returned was for her sister. They felt that her sister would thrive in Blacksburg with its commitment to education and top notch special needs resources.

    Now Brandie and her husband Derek, alumni of Radford University and Virginia Tech, have settled here in Blacksburg with their two children. Brandie is a teacher at Blacksburg United Methodist Preschool and Derek works for Luna Innovations. They are active in their congregation and are active volunteers with their children’s sports teams and scout troops.

    They are members of Friends of Price Park, a group that maintains the H.L. Price Park. This conservation work is near to Brandie’s heart because, not only is Price Park their neighborhood park, the trail system and green space was also founded by her father.

    But finding housing in their beloved town wasn’t easy.

    For years they commuted from Shawsville - working jobs, building social circles, and tending to family connections in Blacksburg while living a half-hour drive away. “We were doing everything in Blacksburg except actually living here,” Brandie remembers.

    “It really shouldn't be this hard.” says Brandie as she reflects on a process that became a “part-time job.” For over two years, they looked at listings every day and dropped everything to pursue housing opportunities, most of them fleeting. The single family homes within their price range were often in need of thousands of dollar’s worth of renovations just to make the spaces livable for their two small children. The houses that were move-in ready were mostly over $400,000. It was a disheartening process that took years of saving, borrowing against their retirement, and help from their family to be able to buy their current home.

    She and Derek decided to make Blacksburg home because their families are here and it is home. They enjoy the pace of life, access to nature, a vibrant downtown with lots of family-oriented activities, and a thriving public school system.

    “My kids love to splash in the creek and look for crayfish in the summertime. We love Steppin' Out and SEEDs nature center. We love the summer arts program and the Moss Center. We love the pace of life and the feel of the small town within the larger university community. We love having a Unitarian Universalist church, a farmers market, the youth sports programs, and of course, our public schools. The public schools were a HUGE factor in why we fought so hard to get into Blacksburg.”

  • Share Crystal Hollins Needed a Safe, Affordable Home to Raise Her Children on Facebook Share Crystal Hollins Needed a Safe, Affordable Home to Raise Her Children on Twitter Share Crystal Hollins Needed a Safe, Affordable Home to Raise Her Children on Linkedin Email Crystal Hollins Needed a Safe, Affordable Home to Raise Her Children link

    Crystal Hollins Needed a Safe, Affordable Home to Raise Her Children

    by Crystal Hollins, almost 4 years ago

    Crystal is from Blacksburg and works at Virginia Tech in mail services. Prior to partnering with Habitat for Humanity to purchase a home in 2012, Crystal lived in a two-bedroom trailer in Blacksburg with her son and daughter. The trailer needed significant and expensive repairs that were beyond the family budget. Also, her two children were growing and needed their own rooms. Crystal realized she needed a different housing option, one that was safe (not in need of repair) and provided more space. It was important to her that the family live in Blacksburg where she works and where her... Continue reading

    Crystal is from Blacksburg and works at Virginia Tech in mail services. Prior to partnering with Habitat for Humanity to purchase a home in 2012, Crystal lived in a two-bedroom trailer in Blacksburg with her son and daughter. The trailer needed significant and expensive repairs that were beyond the family budget. Also, her two children were growing and needed their own rooms. Crystal realized she needed a different housing option, one that was safe (not in need of repair) and provided more space. It was important to her that the family live in Blacksburg where she works and where her children attend school.

    When she searched, however, what she found was that three-bedroom rentals in Blacksburg were way out of her price range, and, given the price of homes for sale in town, purchasing would be impossible. She feared that the family would have to move outside of Blacksburg and possibly outside of Montgomery County. A friend, however, who had purchased a Habitat for Humanity home some years before, informed Crystal that two new affordable Habitat for Humanity homes were going to be built on Nellie’s Cave Road. She decided to apply.

    “I received a call at work,” she said, “And my co-workers thought something terrible had happened because I was crying. But I was crying because I was so happy. Habitat had approved me for a house.” Crystal and her family worked many hours of sweat-equity building their home alongside volunteers. For the Nellie’s Cave project, Habitat for Humanity sponsored a Blitz Build weekend. Hundreds of volunteers, including student groups, Rotary members, church groups and individuals came together to help finish construction.

    “I pulled onto Nellie’s Cave Road the day of the Blitz Build and saw that there were hundreds of volunteers gathered. I had to sit in the car for a while because I was so overwhelmed. I could not believe that many people would come together to help me and my family.”

    Crystal has lived in her home now for nine years. Her son graduated from Blacksburg High School and joined the Navy. He is currently serving in Turkey. Her daughter is now attending Blacksburg High and is an avid volleyball player.

    “I feel pride in my home. I am proud to have been able to provide a home for my family,” says Crystal.

  • Share For a single income family, housing will never be affordable on a teacher’s salary on Facebook Share For a single income family, housing will never be affordable on a teacher’s salary on Twitter Share For a single income family, housing will never be affordable on a teacher’s salary on Linkedin Email For a single income family, housing will never be affordable on a teacher’s salary link

    For a single income family, housing will never be affordable on a teacher’s salary

    by Megan Ihlefeld, almost 4 years ago

    Megan Ihlefeld moved to Blacksburg in 2009 with her two young children after her husband passed away in 2008. She loves her job as a science teacher at Blacksburg Middle School, but has struggled to find affordable housing in Blacksburg. Megan lives with her two children in an apartment of a family-style home in a neighborhood that is a mix of student rentals and families. It is strange for her to see students renting a home in what is intended to be a family neighborhood knowing she can’t afford to rent the same home.

    Megan feels connected to Blacksburg’s mountain... Continue reading

    Megan Ihlefeld moved to Blacksburg in 2009 with her two young children after her husband passed away in 2008. She loves her job as a science teacher at Blacksburg Middle School, but has struggled to find affordable housing in Blacksburg. Megan lives with her two children in an apartment of a family-style home in a neighborhood that is a mix of student rentals and families. It is strange for her to see students renting a home in what is intended to be a family neighborhood knowing she can’t afford to rent the same home.

    Megan feels connected to Blacksburg’s mountain vibe and has a great sense of community. She likes the small town living that feels safe for her kids and knows they are receiving a solid foundation for education.

    “For a single income family, housing will never be affordable on a teacher’s salary. I often feel like teachers are undervalued but I know I am a part of this community and have a very important impact. I have had to do it on my own from the time that my kids were very young. I desire the opportunity to be able to own a home in this community.”

    In 2018 Megan enlisted a realtor to help search for a home but nothing was in good enough condition at the price she could afford. She did put an offer of $10k over the asking price on a condo but was not successful. “I'm not a competitive buyer in this market since there was only so much I could put down.”

    Megan is grateful for her job and the opportunities to engage with students about science. She wishes there were more incentives for teachers. “I’m not leaving a job I love to make more money. Providing and advocating for affordable housing for teachers would be awesome!”

  • Share Don't Forget Housing for Front Line Workers on Facebook Share Don't Forget Housing for Front Line Workers on Twitter Share Don't Forget Housing for Front Line Workers on Linkedin Email Don't Forget Housing for Front Line Workers link

    Don't Forget Housing for Front Line Workers

    by jjones, almost 4 years ago

    “People saw us differently during the pandemic. It was not just doctors and nurses. We were front line workers. People have to eat.”

    John Jones has been a mainstay at the North Main Street Food Lion for nine years. He started his employment there as a student at Virginia Tech in 2013. John arrived in Blacksburg from a small town in Nelson County, Virginia. “My hometown has one traffic light and only 135 people in my graduating high school class.” Even though coming to a larger town was a transition, Blacksburg reminded John of his hometown. “It is a good... Continue reading

    “People saw us differently during the pandemic. It was not just doctors and nurses. We were front line workers. People have to eat.”

    John Jones has been a mainstay at the North Main Street Food Lion for nine years. He started his employment there as a student at Virginia Tech in 2013. John arrived in Blacksburg from a small town in Nelson County, Virginia. “My hometown has one traffic light and only 135 people in my graduating high school class.” Even though coming to a larger town was a transition, Blacksburg reminded John of his hometown. “It is a good area, rural community with farmers, and great people.”

    John graduated from Tech in 2016 with a major in history and rose through the ranks at Food Lion. He currently works as the Customer Service manager, does all the front office work, hiring, and cash management. “Grocery stores are the community connector. You see everyone in your community, get to know customers on a first name basis, and it is a good place to network with one another.”

    The last two years have been difficult. The strain on the supply chain and labor shortage creates stress on the grocery industry. And, since “90% of Food Lion’s labor force is college students”, availability of employees can be difficult to maintain. Having employees near the store’s location is important.

    John has lived near Food Lion in Maple Ridge Townhomes as a college student, moved to Pheasant Run behind Food Lion for two years, Clover Lane for two years, and now lives in an apartment near South Main Street, close to the CookOut. Finding one bedroom apartments in Blacksburg is challenging, and rents for apartments are expensive.

    Living here is important, however. John has a great community of friends and is very active in the Blacksburg Tennis Club Association. His love of tennis was nurtured in Blacksburg and it is the place he inhabits a lot outside of work. But, more importantly, Blacksburg is where John works, and many extra hours were spent at work during the pandemic to cover the employment shortage. If most of the employees were not college students, it is difficult to know whether local employees could afford to live here and work here.

    Our grocery stores offer a valuable service. “People need groceries.” But, grocery stores are also the places where we see our neighbors, friends, and the employees that show up to work when other places are closed for business.

  • Share Certain Things become More Important as You Get Older on Facebook Share Certain Things become More Important as You Get Older on Twitter Share Certain Things become More Important as You Get Older on Linkedin Email Certain Things become More Important as You Get Older link

    Certain Things become More Important as You Get Older

    by lvoss, almost 4 years ago

    Digitizing history: The final act of throwing out her baby book was painful for Lois but the process of digitizing her baby photographs and snippets of writings in her mother’s hand was particularly meaningful. Lois recognizes “if she doesn’t go through her belongings now so her family can enjoy them, they might be packed up and put in boxes until her children retire and have time to look through them.”

    Lois moved to Blacksburg five years ago. She and her husband lived in a house in Minnesota for 31 years before moving into an apartment when her husband needed... Continue reading

    Digitizing history: The final act of throwing out her baby book was painful for Lois but the process of digitizing her baby photographs and snippets of writings in her mother’s hand was particularly meaningful. Lois recognizes “if she doesn’t go through her belongings now so her family can enjoy them, they might be packed up and put in boxes until her children retire and have time to look through them.”

    Lois moved to Blacksburg five years ago. She and her husband lived in a house in Minnesota for 31 years before moving into an apartment when her husband needed access to one level living, a garage on- site, and the convenience of an elevator. After her husband passed, Lois researched numerous independent 55+ housing options in Blacksburg looking for something similar to what she left behind in Minnesota.

    Retiring to Blacksburg to be close to her daughter and grandchildren made sense. Blacksburg was appealing in so many ways. Yet, “certain things become more important as you get older.” Retirees looking to downsize into apartments need many ADA requirements, such as wide hallways, doors that open outward, and proximity to public transportation. Many are looking for on-site facilities that contribute to maintaining active lifestyles and social interaction as they age in place.

    Lois spends time thinking about what the next ten years will bring and how she is preparing for different outcomes as she ages. She has many friends who have suffered health and memory challenges and Lois understands the importance of thinking about next steps. Her apartment in Hethwood off of Price’s Fork Road filled some of the qualifications but others were met by Lois’ commitment to becoming actively engaged in the community--joining Blacksburg Newcomers, Virginia Tech Women’s Club, a Quilting Club, and the Blacksburg Lutheran Church.

    However, Lois is still surprised by the lack of senior housing opportunities in Blacksburg and the ways affordable housing is becoming more and more difficult to find. Given the emerging trend of seniors looking to relocate, Blacksburg is a prime location for this market, with a college community, arts center, and outdoor recreation. And, Lois thinks about this a lot.

    Not only the future, but the past. Lois prints out twenty years-worth of correspondence to her pen pal in Kenya and binds it in a journal. A piece of history that will give her family insight not only into a 20 year cross-cultural friendship, but also a personal view of the different stages of their mom’s life and her imprint on her community.

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    Finding a Home in My Own Hometown

    almost 4 years ago

    “There are a million reasons to live in Blacksburg.” 25-year-old Peter Sorensen grew up here and graduated from Babson College. When the pandemic hit he was living in Brooklyn, New York. As he moved to remote work, with the newfound flexibility to live wherever he chooses, he was drawn back to his hometown.

    In addition to being close to family, Peter was attracted to Blacksburg’s unique mix: a rural setting, where his love of nature was fed by opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and canoeing, blended with a city feel that comes with cool coffee houses and restaurants with menus in... Continue reading

    “There are a million reasons to live in Blacksburg.” 25-year-old Peter Sorensen grew up here and graduated from Babson College. When the pandemic hit he was living in Brooklyn, New York. As he moved to remote work, with the newfound flexibility to live wherever he chooses, he was drawn back to his hometown.

    In addition to being close to family, Peter was attracted to Blacksburg’s unique mix: a rural setting, where his love of nature was fed by opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and canoeing, blended with a city feel that comes with cool coffee houses and restaurants with menus in Mandarin.

    Coming home had its advantages but Peter was completely floored at housing prices. “Housing is a lot more expensive than I thought it would be, and this is coming from someone who was renting an apartment in an up-and-coming area of Brooklyn.” With national average student loan debt at $26k and rental prices skyrocketing, saving for a home can be challenging for young professionals like Peter.

    The expense of housing may be “one of the million reasons” that Blacksburg will lose intellectual talent that comes to the area for VT. “Townhomes that range from $300-$400K are quite pricey for someone in their twenties.” To meet the demands of the market, Peter decided to join forces with his brother and sister-in-law. And, the competition is stiff. Recently, they were outbid on a townhome in the Hethwood area sought after for its walkability to shops, schools, grocery stores, pools and parks. “The house went on the market at 8 am and by 6 pm it was under contract to someone willing to pay more than asking. My brother and I have pretty good jobs, and we get outbid. It is a bummer that you cannot afford anywhere close to where you grew up.” Even with the trend of remote work and people having a choice of where they live, Peter doesn’t know if talent will choose Blacksburg. Keeping young professionals in the area will require a commitment to creating affordable options, with an increased focus on homeownership.

    This area offers so much for so many. For Peter it is nature. “I can head out to the woods, go fishing, or hiking after work. Growing up here made me passionate about the environment.” Peter is committed to the area and ready to make an investment in making this his home. But first he has to find one.

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    A Habitat for Humanity Success Story

    by NMcBryde, almost 4 years ago

    For the past 22 years, Nakia has worked her way up at Rainbow Rider Child Care Center from floater to overseeing teacher mentoring for the facility. Charles, her husband, has worked at Spectrum Brands for 9 years, currently as a Consumer Relations Specialist. Their oldest son, Christopher, was diagnosed with microcephaly resulting in developmental delays and is confined to a wheelchair. Their youngest, Christian, is a thriving 6th grader at Blacksburg Middle School who loves to read and play basketball. Nakia and her husband partnered with Habitat for Humanity in 2018 to buy their first home- an affordable townhouse... Continue reading

    For the past 22 years, Nakia has worked her way up at Rainbow Rider Child Care Center from floater to overseeing teacher mentoring for the facility. Charles, her husband, has worked at Spectrum Brands for 9 years, currently as a Consumer Relations Specialist. Their oldest son, Christopher, was diagnosed with microcephaly resulting in developmental delays and is confined to a wheelchair. Their youngest, Christian, is a thriving 6th grader at Blacksburg Middle School who loves to read and play basketball. Nakia and her husband partnered with Habitat for Humanity in 2018 to buy their first home- an affordable townhouse on Church Street, in Blacksburg, that is ADA compatible to accommodate Christopher’s mobility needs.

    Nakia moved to Blacksburg from Brooklyn with an aunt who was studying at Virginia Tech in 1999. When her aunt graduated and moved back to New York, Nakia decided she wanted to stay. “Blacksburg brought to me a sense of peace and serenity- it had a close-knit, family feel that I was looking for as I matured and established my own life. I got involved in the community, joined a church, and landed my dream job at Rainbow Riders working with children”.

    Nakia was single at the time and found it impossible to rent an apartment without finding roommates to share expenses. After she met Charles and their family grew, the challenges to finding affordable housing were compounded. “A three-bedroom apartment in Blacksburg was costing us $1,000 per month, just for the rent. And, as the mother of a non-mobile, special needs child, it was frustrating to find that ramps, wider doorways and first floor living designs were limited and had a wait list.”

    Nakia and Charles were determined to find the right housing option for them in Blacksburg, where they both work, where their children go to school, where their church is, and to be close to the services Christopher needs. In 2018, Nakia’s boss told her about the planned Church Street project in Blacksburg. “I’ll admit, I did not know much about Habitat for Humanity or its mission, but I decided to apply. And now, here I am, a homeowner in Blacksburg. We are so blessed. Words will never convey how grateful we are to everyone who made this possible- Habitat, The [Blacksburg] Presbyterian Church, BUMC, the town of Blacksburg, all the volunteers, the architect, everyone. Our lives are forever changed.”

    Nakia and her family have been in their affordable forever home for almost two years now. She says her family enjoys visiting the local library, walks on the Huckleberry Trail, and shopping in downtown Blacksburg. “I love the peaceful, serene evenings in our new neighborhood. I love to watch the sunrise in the morning or to see a full rainbow in the sky. Most people would take those things for granted, but for a city girl like myself, it’s a big deal.

Page last updated: 18 Jun 2024, 07:00 AM