Oak Grove affordable housing groundbreaking represents improvement for Richmond’s crisis

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) -Richmond is now making big steps to improve its affordable housing crisis in the city.

Almost 250 new apartment units are under construction in the Oak Grove community, as project leaders held a groundbreaking on Thursday, June 13.

The space will include 253 affordable units, low-priced townhomes, more apartments, a community center, a pool and a fitness center. It is a project centered around the community and improving lives within it.

Developers sought the input of people living there to find out what was needed, even as some were initially against it.

Rodney Hall is one of the Oak Grove neighbors who has supported the development throughout. He has lived in the community for 51 years and recalls playing in the mulch at Oak Grove Elementary when he went there and grew up across the street.

“We’re very happy because the people that lived closest to the development were the ones that got to see all of the craziness that happened,” Hall said.

Oak Grove Elementary School was abandoned for more than a decade after closing its doors in 2012.

Hall says this allowed trouble to take place at the vacant space for a long time, yet some of his neighbors still wanted the spot to stay as is. In September, neighbors told 12 On Your Side they feared it would increase traffic.

“Those folks live three, four blocks over; they didn’t see what was happening here in this development, and most of the folks definitely wanted change,” Hall said. “We had rats, infestation of rats, rodents, prostitution, drug crimes and a lot of other crimes.”

Hall says people changed their minds after developers gathered the long-time residents to help door-knock and determine what could improve the plans. He says they also came to a compromise to bring a community to the space.

Construction is underway, and Lynx Ventures is backing the project. The development is called Noon Ingram, and the units come with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and updated amenities.

“If you don’t know what a kabana is, those are outside grills and all that good stuff, so we’re not used to that in Oak Grove,” Hall said. “They’re gonna have plenty of security. We’ve told people that you don’t have to worry about parking on the street because all the parking is going to be inside of development.”

One of the best parts for Hall and his neighbors is that they can pay to receive all those benefits and live in the renovated spots.

The affordable units will also have amenities. Hall says he even wants his nephew to apply for one of the homes he could buy in the space because the rate will stay low for at least 30 years.

That ability is possible thanks to the new affordable housing performance grant.

“The 243 we celebrate here today will be reserved for families making 50 to 70% of area median income, which means folks making about $15 to $25 an hour right here in the Richmond area,” Stoney said.

Hall calls the improvement life-changing and encourages anyone to move to his neighborhood. Stoney says the project would not have been possible without 8th district councilwoman Reva Trammel, along with all of the investors in the project.

This is a significant change from when Richmond declared an affordable housing crisis over a year ago. About nine months ago, the city announced they’d be using $100 million to fix it.

“We wanna create safe, working neighborhoods that are vibrant and inclusive to each and every one no matter how much money you have in your pocket,” Stoney said.

Hall says he has been told the construction aims to wrap up in December 2025.