It has been nearly three years since the Albemarle Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning of the former Red Carpet Inn site to allow for the eventual construction of 140 units of low-income housing to be built by several nonprofit groups.
The site of the former motel had been used as an emergency shelter for the unhoused during COVID. The shelter closed this spring after funds ran out and to prepare for the redevelopment.
Virginia Supportive Housing seeks to build 80 units in a similar fashion at Premier Circle to the 60 units at the Crossings at Fourth Street. Ongoing funds for the project depend on federal housing vouchers being assigned to the site. (learn more at the VSH website)
City Manager Sam Sanders had an update on the new 80-unit project on Monday.
“That project has a budget gap and that budget gap right now is $1.4 million and they are short 40 vouchers to be able to move forward on the project as planned,” Sanders said.
Sanders said the city has so far not contributed a great deal amount and that he’s in conversations with Albemarle County about providing funds to fill the gap so the project can break ground in May.
“Eighty units of permanent supportive housing is a big deal,” Sanders said. “It is an important piece of our puzzle as to how we continue to support what is happening in our community as it relates to those individuals who struggle to maintain a household of their own.”
Sanders said this is separate from his desire to help fund a project for a full-time emergency shelter.
Piedmont Housing Alliance seeks to build an additional 60 units at what is known as Premier Circle. A third building is slated to be constructed for the future for commercial use to help fund the overall project.
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