Despite challenging weather, 109 VAMA members, including 12 Virginia Tech students, participated in 77 legislative meetings, advocating for responsible rental housing policies. We are grateful for our members' dedication and look forward to continuing our advocacy efforts together!

Richmond, VA, has made RentCafe’s list of the top 20 cities to watch for 2025, joining other high-interest rental markets like Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Overland Park, Kansas. The report highlights regional growth, with cities across the Midwest, West, South, and Northeast attracting strong renter demand.

Renco, a super-strong composite material made from 40% repurposed materials, was developed in Turkey to address manhole cover theft and is now used to construct earthquake- and hurricane-resistant buildings. Since 2011, over 200 structures in Turkey and a Palm Springs apartment community in 2023 have been built using Renco blocks, which are lightweight, recyclable, and significantly reduce embodied carbon compared to traditional materials. The material is being manufactured in the U.S. for the first time this year, with a Florida factory capable of producing enough blocks for 9,000 apartments annually. Renco offers a sustainable alternative to concrete, steel, and wood, helping to reduce emissions in the construction sector, which accounts for 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. 

Courthouse Landing will feature nearly 500 residential units, including 300 apartments developed by Edward Rose & Sons, along with 112 townhomes and 72 condos by Stanley Martin Homes. Apartment construction is expected to begin later this year. The $250-$400 million mixed-use development will also offer retail, medical office space, and various community amenities.

The Harrisonburg City Council has approved the rezoning of Frazier Quarry, allowing a partnership between Bushrod Investments and Birchwood Capital Partners to move forward with the Quarry Heights development. The $220 million project will include 950 residential units, consisting of townhomes, single-family homes, and apartments, and is expected to create nearly 2,000 construction jobs.

Hunt Military Communities has acquired full ownership of Homeport Hampton Roads, a 1,846-unit military housing community in Norfolk, serving unaccompanied Navy personnel. The six-story property features recreational amenities, multiple fitness centers, swimming pools, and a 31,000-square-foot community center. This acquisition strengthens Hunt’s position as the largest U.S. military housing owner.

Hoffman & Associates has purchased a 2.4-acre site in Scott's Addition for $13.3 million, where it plans to develop a mixed-use building with 366 apartments and 17,000 square feet of commercial space. The development, estimated to break ground by late 2025, will rise to seven stories, exceeding its initial six-story design. This $130 million-plus project marks Hoffman’s first in Richmond.

Riverdale’s $50 million redevelopment in Roanoke includes a 267-unit apartment building set to begin construction in late 2025, led by developers Joe Thompson and Tommy Spellman. The mixed-use community will also feature a boutique hotel with a rooftop bar, a brewery, offices, and recreation spaces. Plans for a previously-reported affordable housing project for artists remain a priority, with potential construction starting in 2026.
Source: Virginia Business