2025 VAGHC Housing Award Winners
Best Homeownership Development
Cardinal Path
Housing Alexandria
Cardinal Path Homes is a 43-unit affordable housing development from Housing Alexandria consisting of 36 homes for sale to first-time homebuyers at or below 80% area median income and 7 units owned by Sheltered Homes of Alexandria set aside for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project uses a shared-equity model to ensure long-term affordability, with buyers agreeing to share in the appreciated value of their home, exemplifying how non-profits and local governments can partner to meet housing and community needs, especially in high-income, high-cost areas. Housing Alexandria collaborated with landowners, the City of Alexandria, and Sheltered Homes of Alexandria to assemble parcels and secure funding from a variety of sources, including at the national, state and local levels of government, all aimed at saving time and resources for first-time homebuyers.
Best Housing Program or Service Award
Richmond Heirs Property Network
HDAdvisors
Richmond Heirs Property Network is a program that connects attorneys with local residents facing heirs property issues. Operated by HDAdvisors, clients are connected with Client Navigator Denise Crews to determine eligibility and access legal services to resolve their title. Funds are allocated towards case and legal services costs, ensuring that clients receive no-cost services. Recently, the Network partnered with the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society to hire a full-time attorney dedicated to heirs property legal resolution services. Denise is instrumental in engaging clients, building rapport, and connecting them with volunteer attorneys or CVLAS partners. Her leadership and advocacy on behalf of clients, many of whom are seniors with income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, are unmatched. Denise follows trauma-informed best practices to ensure clients receive the support they need for success and approaching clients with dignity and respect.
Best Multifamily/Rental Housing Development
The Old School at Prices Fork
Taylor Hollow Construction
The Prices Fork Elementary School Revitalization Project is a successful multi-phased initiative that transformed a historic rural school into a mixed-use hub for housing and community food enterprises. The project utilized adaptive reuse, sustainable construction, and cross-sector partnerships to address rural housing needs and stimulate local economic development. The first phase converted former classrooms into 16 affordable units for residents aged 55 and older, while the second phase added new apartments for residents of mixed ages and incomes. The Taylor Hollow Construction project used a layered financing approach, combining local and state HOME funds, federal and state historic tax credits, Appalachian Regional Commission funds, Vibrant Communities Initiative funds, developer equity, and philanthropic contributions. The revitalization also brought new life to the school through community-serving food enterprises, such as Millstone Kitchen, Feather and Bone, and Moon Hollow Brewery. The Prices Fork Project is now a completed model of rural revitalization, showing how partnerships and innovation can turn a vacant community landmark into a lasting community asset.
Innovation in Housing
Chirilagua-Arlandria Resident Equity Solutions (CARES)
Community Lodgings, Inc.
Community Lodgings, Inc., is a nonprofit organization based in Alexandria's Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood, aiming to lift families out of poverty through affordable housing, supportive services, and youth education. Community Lodgings owns and manages 45 affordable apartments, providing shelter and case management services for families experiencing homelessness. The organization also offers the Youth Education Program that provides afterschool and summer learning opportunities. Chirilagua-Arlandria Resident Equity Solutions, called CARES, strengthens the connection between housing, family support, and resident leadership. CARES emphasizes collaboration between residents, governance, and decision makers to reform affordable housing systems and address structural barriers, including institutional racism. Community Lodgings' work is sustained through a blended funding model, including local and state government support, philanthropic and foundation grants, corporate partnerships, individual donors, and in-kind contributions from service partners.
Housing Leadership Award
Greg W. Shanholtz
Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity
Greg Shanholtz, Director of Construction for Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity, has transformed the organization's approach to affordable housing and repairs in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Over his 7 years there, he has implemented a dual-track approach to new home construction and large-scale preservation, and expanded Habitat's repair-driven construction model, integrating sustainable building practices and higher durability standards. Under his leadership, funding strategies have blended private contributions, local corporate partnerships, and public-sector grants. Greg has forged strong relationships with local governments and built new corporate sponsorship channels, bringing regional employers into the affordable housing space. He has also brought emerging contractors into the work, mentoring them on building science and affordability constraints. Greg’s leadership style is highly collaborative, involving homeowners, local building officials, and stakeholders. This openness has strengthened trust and built a shared sense of investment in every home built or repaired.
