Our own Manager of Government Affairs, Tommy Herbert, provides an update on VAMA's government affairs efforts over the last month, and what to expect as we enter into the new year.

The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC)’s Rent Payment Tracker reported that 75.4% of multifamily renters had made a full or partial payment for this month by December 6. 

With the emergence of COVID-19 this year, communities throughout the country have had to pivot to meet their residents' and prospects' needs in new ways. How will these changes shape multifamily in 2021 and beyond?

With the onset of a global pandemic, stay-at-home orders, virtual learning and more, the lines between work/life balance have become blurred more than ever before. Add to that the "compassion fatigue" many professionals experience from interactions with residents who are unemployed, unable to pay, or may be sick, and you have the potential for mental health issues on your team. 

A 132-unit community at Little Creek Marina in Norfolk plans to open in summer of 2021. One of the proposed amenities is a restaurant open to both residents and the public. 

The Allure at Jefferson, which broke ground in December of 2017, is now complete. Phase II of the project will commence in 2021. 

A high rise planned for Manchester is in talks with several grocers about tenancy in their 25,000 square feet of commercial space, which would bring the first grocery store to the area. 

The historical site, built in 1903, will be converted into a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with modern finishes and amenities. Leasing is scheduled to begin late summer of 2021. 

Commonwealth Catholic Charities is planning a 56-unit community near Highland Park. The development would be 100% income-based units. 

The 13-story Mutual Building, erected in 1905, will be converted into 170 apartments and 4,000 square feet of retail space beginning in the spring. 

The two-building, 203-unit project is expected to break ground in quarter four of 2021. Two parking decks and rooftop amenity space will surely draw in renters.