Revitalizing Chesapeake: CRHA's Ambitious Plans for Senior Housing and Community Improvement
- Author: Jennifer Kloss
- Posted: 2023-12-28
The Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA) has announced plans to renovate two of its housing communities in Chesapeake, Virginia, with the aim of building a new senior housing community.
The projects would be part of a multi-year process that’s expected to cost millions, with renovation on the Eastwood neighborhood's Peaceful Village to begin in late summer or early fall. Potential improvements on MacDonald Manor units are expected to start in 2025 and senior housing construction in 2026.
John Kownack, the executive director of the CRHA, said that the upgrades are necessary as the properties were built between 1961 and 1994.
The interiors require refurbishment, such as upgraded kitchens, bathrooms, and appliances, while residents at MacDonald Manor can expect to see another significant change – a new senior housing community. Chesapeake does not have any exclusively senior apartments that have elevators, hence the demand for senior housing.
The CRHA is experiencing a higher demand for senior housing, and possible construction on a new facility could cost anywhere from $8 to $10 million.
The renovation and senior housing project is expected to be completed in three phases, with Peaceful Village at an estimated total cost of about $20 million and MacDonald Manor at approximately $35 million.
The projects are still in their early stages, and the CRHA will require approval from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development before they can make any changes to the buildings.
The CRHA provides suitable housing options, delivering programs, and working towards economic self-sufficiency. They have been actively developing programs to offer decent housing conditions for the people of Chesapeake.
The new project aims to provide a dignified and pleasant home for seniors while restoring older housing communities to standards that meet current expectations.
These plans come as Chesapeake's population continues to grow, and the city experiences more calls for decent and affordable homes. The senior housing community will address the increase in demand for elevators, with many in the community expressing their need for more housing services.
