NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — People living in an affordable housing complex in Newport News are about to see $10 million in upgrades.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Thursday, officials are spending the money to make the complex more energy-efficient and climate resilient.
Marie Stith has lived in Stuart Gardens in Newport News for the last 30 years.
"Lovely, lovely. Couldn’t live no better place," the 91-year-old said Thursday morning. Now she says she's looking forward to the imminent upgrades.
The upgrade is part of HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program, a spin-off of the Inflation Reduction Act meant to make affordable housing more efficient and resilient to changing climates.
Stuart Gardens is one of 10-HUD-assisted properties in the country getting some of the $73.5 million.
Virginia U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, HUD representatives, Newport News city leaders and owners of the complex, Vitus, made the announcement at the complex Thursday.
"So many apartments don’t get help at all and I thank the lord for this," said Stith. "For the young people that's coming up to take care of the place when I'm dead and gone, I'm 91, the young can come in and have a place to live and raise their kids and say the same thing."
The property built in the 1940s will receive Energy Star-certified appliances, windows, insulated entry doors, LED lighting, heat pumps and more. Owners of the property say that will result in at least a 25% reduction in energy consumption in each unit.
Stith said she's most looking forward to the new windows.
"The GRRP will ensure that these homes will be safer and more sustainable, preserving the much-needed affordable housing in all of these communities for years to come," said Ethan Handelman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs.
He said the upgrades are something everyone deserves.
"Access to housing with the latest energy efficiency and resilience features should not be limited only to those in the higher income bracket," said Handelman. "It’s part of the solution to our climate crisis."
Newport News Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany said upgrading and preserving affordable housing is a priority for the city.
"These investments of the Biden-Harris administration will go a long way to making the homes and neighborhoods a safer place to live and promote our cities commitment to sustainability," he said.
Scott said resiliency upgrades like this are needed, especially in Hampton Roads.
"Climate change is already here. In coastal communities like Hampton Roads, are leading the nation in resilience efforts," he said.
The owner of Stuart Gardens said when the upgrades begin later this year, the work should take 12-18 months. They add they will place residents in hotels while their homes are renovated.
