Sentara’s founding investment in LISC Hampton Roads significantly enhances affordable housing access, community support, and economic empowerment for underrepresented communities.
In Norfolk’s vibrant St. Paul’s district in Virginia, Market Heights embodies the impact both Sentara and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) envisioned in 2019 when Sentara’s $10 million investment helped to establish LISC’s presence in Hampton Roads.
Market Heights is more than a “typical” housing development. The community reflects a commitment not only to affordability but also accessibility with 17 specially designed apartments compliant with accessibility standards and 80 units crafted under the Universal Design principle.
“Every individual has a fundamental right to a sanctuary they can call home, equipped with the amenities that nurture their well-being and growth,” says Jay Grant, executive director of LISC Hampton Roads. “That’s why we are committed to ensuring residents of Market Heights have access to essential amenities such as healthy food, fitness facilities and wellness programs, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.”
To honor that commitment, LISC leveraged Sentara’s investment to partner with Hope House Foundation, providing a $100,000 grant to the community nonprofit in 2023 to bring a variety of programs and services to Market Heights residents.
These programs include the Foodbank Mobile Market, where more than 65 households have been able to shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and other home essentials in the past year. In addition, residents have access to fitness equipment and instruction, and will soon have access to a telehealth booth called “Zenbooth” starting in 2024.
Grant says he hopes Market Heights can serve not just as a model of affordable housing but as a testament to what can be achieved when anchor institutions collaborate with community developers to invest in the health and happiness of our communities.
More bout LISC Hampton Roads and RISE Resilience:
Raising resilience
Sentara, LISC Hampton Roads and RISE Resilience are leading the Community Resilience Innovation Challenge, a pioneering program designed to strengthen and empower Hampton Roads’ most vulnerable communities. This initiative harnesses community and partner expertise to pinpoint and solve critical challenges with practical, scalable solutions supported by crucial mechanisms like funding, mentorship, and networking to ensure effective implementation and lasting success.
Lending with a purpose
Leveraging their diverse lending products, LISC Hampton Roads supports Unity Place at Kindred, a part of the greater reimagining of Tidewater Gardens in St. Paul’s district in Virginia. It is a vibrant mixed-income and mixed-use project featuring 140 residential units, ground-floor retail spaces, and pioneering business incubators. This project marks a significant step forward in fostering accessible, inclusive communities.
