The Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority (CRHA) plays a direct role in shaping housing availability across our region — and if you own property, rent, or invest in Chesapeake or the surrounding Hampton Roads area, it's worth understanding what they do and where things stand right now.
What the Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority Actually Does
CRHA oversees two distinct housing portfolios: public housing communities and conventional housing communities. Public housing serves residents who qualify based on income guidelines and receive federally subsidized assistance. Conventional housing communities operate more like market-rate rentals but remain under CRHA management, often offering reduced-cost options to qualifying residents.
Beyond simply managing units, CRHA functions as a community development organization. Recent activity from the agency includes welcoming three new commissioners — Farley Perkins, Dwight Parker, and Stephen Blair — as well as electing a new board chairperson and vice chair in 2025. Leadership transitions like these often signal an agency recalibrating its direction, and it's worth watching how the new board shapes housing priorities over the next few years.
Scholarships, Fair Housing, and Resident Support
One thing that stands out about CRHA's current posture is the emphasis on resident advancement, not just housing placement. The 2026 CRHA Scholarship Program is now open for eligible residents, and the agency recently celebrated a 2026 VAHCDO Scholarship winner — a program administered through the Virginia Association of Housing and Community Development Officials. The HAI Scholarship Program is also open for applicants.
These aren't just feel-good programs. Scholarship initiatives tied to housing authorities are a genuine signal that an agency is investing in long-term resident stability, which tends to correlate with better-maintained communities and lower turnover over time.
April was also recognized as National Fair Housing Month, with a formal City of Chesapeake proclamation. CRHA published fair housing news and updates this spring as part of its compliance and community education efforts. Fair housing law protects residents across all protected classes — including race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and source of income — and CRHA's active engagement here reflects both legal obligation and community commitment.
What This Means for Hampton Roads Homeowners and Investors
• **Rental market context**: Active affordable housing management in Chesapeake affects the overall rental supply picture. More stable subsidized inventory can reduce pressure on the lower end of the private rental market.
• **Neighborhood investment**: New CRHA leadership and ongoing agency planning (a public hearing for the 2026 Agency Plan was recently announced) suggest continued reinvestment in managed communities — which can have positive ripple effects on surrounding property values.
• **Military households**: Hampton Roads has one of the largest active-duty populations in the country. Service members and veterans with income challenges can interact with housing authority programs, and understanding what's available locally matters whether you're PCSing in or helping a family member navigate options.
• **Investors**: If you own rental property near CRHA communities, understanding the agency's direction — including any redevelopment plans — helps you make smarter long-term decisions about your portfolio.
For a broader look at what's happening in the Chesapeake housing market right now, visit our Chesapeake community page.
Affordable housing isn't a separate story from the broader Hampton Roads real estate market — it's part of the same ecosystem. The more we understand about how agencies like CRHA are operating, the better positioned we all are to make informed decisions about where and how we live and invest here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority and who does it serve?
The Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority is a local government agency that manages public and conventional housing communities for income-qualifying residents in Chesapeake, Virginia. It also administers resident support programs including scholarships and fair housing education.
How does affordable housing activity in Chesapeake affect local property values?
Affordable housing redevelopment and active community management can stabilize neighborhoods by reducing vacancy and blight, which tends to support surrounding property values over time. Investors and homeowners near CRHA communities should monitor agency plans and redevelopment announcements as part of their market awareness.
Are there scholarship programs available through CRHA for residents?
Yes — the 2026 CRHA Scholarship Program is currently open for eligible residents, and the HAI Scholarship Program is also accepting applicants. CRHA also participates in the VAHCDO Scholarship program, which recently recognized a 2026 winner from the Chesapeake area.