Council approves 40-unit permanent supportive housing project at 1812 Erickson Avenue with modified conditions

HARRISONBURG, Va. — The Harrisonburg City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve a special-use permit that clears the way for a 40-unit permanent supportive housing development at 1812 Erickson Avenue.

Frank Gordon, the applicant and developer, told the council the project is purpose-built as permanent supportive housing — low-barrier, deeply affordable units combined with on-site wraparound services — and that financing for supportive housing is highly constrained by program limits. “We’ve got it down to the square foot of pavement that’s needed,” Gordon said, describing the tight financing margins for the project and the decision to optimize the site plan to lower construction costs.

Amber Robinson, permanent supportive housing supervisor at the Harrisonburg–Rockingham Community Services Board, urged approval and described the program’s demand: “Our PSH program serves individuals who are among the most vulnerable in our community… Of those, only 3 own vehicles. The vast majority rely on paratransit, Medicaid transportation, public buses, and our case managers for their transportation needs.” Robinson said the development’s proposed…