Affordable Housing Development Newport Gardens Opens in Norfolk

A long-anticipated affordable housing development has officially opened in Norfolk’s Park Place neighborhood. The facility, known as Newport Gardens, represents a significant investment of $14 million and adds 50 affordable housing units to a city grappling with a critical shortage of such accommodations. The project, which includes 37 one-bedroom and 13 two-bedroom apartments, is now welcoming residents.

On December 17, 2025, city officials and developers gathered to celebrate the completion of the project. The construction was led by The Hanson Company, a Richmond-based developer. According to John “JP” Paige, a member of the Norfolk City Council, the development is a significant milestone for affordable housing in the city, highlighting the urgent need for more projects of this nature.

Kelvin Hanson, president of The Hanson Company, explained that the apartments aim to support Norfolk residents with annual incomes between 40% and 80% of the area median income. For a household of four, this translates to an income range of $42,600 to $85,200, based on figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Rent prices are set at $1,050 for one-bedroom units and $1,350 for two-bedroom units.

The origins of Newport Gardens trace back more than ten years when Kelvin Hanson first discussed the necessity for affordable housing with Vernon Fareed, a community leader in Park Place who passed away in 2017. Fareed recognized that revitalizing the local economy would require accessible housing options for residents.

Despite the positive reception from many, the project faced opposition from certain members of the Park Place Civic League during its approval process in 2022. Rodney Jordan, a civic league member and former Norfolk School Board member, voiced concerns about the concentration of low-income housing developments in Park Place compared to other neighborhoods. He argued for a more equitable distribution of affordable housing, suggesting wealthier areas like Ghent or nearby Virginia Beach should also accommodate such projects.

Jordan reiterated his stance in a recent interview, maintaining that “Norfolk cannot be the sole option” for affordable housing. This perspective has gained traction as the city approved an additional 154-unit affordable housing development near Park Place in March 2024.

A 2024 housing study highlighted Norfolk’s significant shortage of affordable rental units, estimating a deficit of approximately 6,800 rental units for households earning less than $35,000 annually. Alarmingly, nearly 30% of households in Norfolk fall into this income category, with 4,600 of those earning under $20,000 per year.

Kelvin Hanson acknowledged the criticisms regarding the project. He noted that many applicants for the new apartments are former residents of Park Place who have been priced out of their homes despite holding jobs. “We have to take care of our workforce, because if they can’t afford housing, they can’t provide the goods and services that we need,” Hanson stated.

Efforts to address affordable housing continue as the city navigates the challenges posed by its housing market. The opening of Newport Gardens marks a crucial step in an ongoing battle to provide accessible living options for all residents of Norfolk.

The Park Place Civic League did not respond to requests for comment regarding the new development. As the debate over affordable housing persists, the community remains watchful for further developments that could impact the housing landscape in Norfolk.