Construction on Beyond Housing’s Pagedale Town Center Homes project wrapped up in May, and all 36 families have moved into their newly constructed affordable rental homes.
The $12 million mixed-income development includes three- and four-bedroom single-family homes throughout Pagedale. All the residences have green building certification, are energy efficient, and utilize universal design elements.
Each home is between 1,269 and 1,369 square feet and follows one of six plans—some two-story, some ranch-style, some with garages, and some ADA-compliant. Rent ranges between $400 and $775. Families met income and other requirements in order to qualify, with consideration given to vulnerable populations, such as those at risk of homelessness.
A third of the homes are designated for very-low-income families, making this project unique within Beyond Housing’s portfolio, said Senior Director of Housing Cory Dickens, whose team manages 802 rental units.
Dickens interacted with each family personally during the leasing and move-in phase. “All the families are amazing,” she said. “We danced—and sometimes cried—at everyone’s move-in when they got the keys and opened the door for the first time.”
The new residents include individuals rebuilding through life challenges such as drug and alcohol addiction, domestic violence, and family reunification. Many were referred from Beyond Housing’s partner agencies, and some received assistance with furnishings from organizations like Home Sweet Home.
Dickens was particularly touched by the stories of two sisters who are now next-door neighbors and share a large backyard where their children can play together. “It is a rare and wonderful circumstance that allows them to support each other in a way that’s truly special,” Dickens said.
During final construction walk-through at the end of May, Dickens reveled in seeing the 10 homes within a new neighborhood on the site of the former Lincoln School along Robbins Avenue come awake on a typical weekday morning. The sights and sounds included raised garden beds and inflatable pools in backyards and school-age children walking together to the bus stop.
In keeping with its comprehensive approach to community development, Beyond Housing provides residents with a range of services from beautification—like the forestry team planting trees and shrubs at each address—to assistance with financial advising, housing stability, healthcare access, career development, and more.
“Beyond Housing wraps resources around families through its Transformative Services Department to truly foster transformation,” Dickens explained. Staff work in coordination to tailor services to each client’s personal situation and specific needs.
Pagedale Town Center Homes is the 20th low-income housing tax credit project Beyond Housing has completed since 1988. The project included new partnerships with Roanoke Construction; BJC HealthCare, which is providing below-market, permanent financing; and Midwest BankCentre, which served as state and federal equity partner and as the construction lender.
