ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — An affordable housing complex is being proposed in Southeast Roanoke.
The Rescue Mission owns a patch of land between Jamison and Bullitt Avenues and they’re partnering with non-profit Homes for America to develop it.
According to Development Director Denise Fazio, they aim to provide housing for incomes ranging between $18,000 and $60,000 a year. One-bedrooms would potentially start at $450 per month, ranging up to $1,400 per month for a three-bedroom.
“We’re fortunate to have a partner that isn’t interested in maximizing the economic value of the site,” said Fazio about the Rescue Mission. “The focus was to see can we provide as much housing as possible but in a design that is sensitive to the neighborhood and makes us part of this community.”
Southeast residents at the Belmont Library meeting Tuesday night raised concerns.
“Have you considered or looked into what the impact will be on the enrollment in schools in that southeast area?,” asked one woman.
“That’s part of the planning process we’re working through,” said Lee Clark, CEO of the Rescue Mission. “We’re looking at enrollment at schools, traffic impacts.”
Mark Petersen lives in Southeast.
“It’s a great development. It could be an economic driver for both Roanoke and Southeast,” he said, but qualified that the exact spot for the build seemed like a problem. “The location is on two major thoroughfares…traffic goes too fast, you come up on the pedestrian crossings too fast.”
Other concerns voiced by residents were about parking and whether the build would fit aesthetically.
However, some residents voiced approval about the revenue it could bring and community-oriented aspects like programs, bike racks, and green space. Petersen also agrees that more housing is needed.
“In Southeast, rents have considerably gone up,” he said. “It’s become more of a challenge for people in the last three to five years so I can appreciate that aspect of the need.”
A public hearing is expected to be held at city council in February.