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New River Community Action seeks rezoning for 13-unit permanent supportive housing at 212 Third Avenue
Summary
New River Community Action told Radford City officials it wants to convert 212 Third Avenue into 13 permanent supportive housing units (eight existing, five new) with on-site supportive services; neighbors voiced safety and economic concerns at a long public hearing while NRCA said tenants will be drawn from local waitlists and receive case management.
New River Community Action (NRCA) presented a plan to Radford City Council and the planning commission to rezone two parcels at 212 Third Avenue from B-3 (limited business) to R-4 (multifamily) so the organization can create permanent supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness.
Casey Edmonds, NRCA housing and shelter director, told the meeting the project would yield 13 units total — eight units already permitted on the second floor and five new units on the ground floor — with individual apartments, kitchens, bathrooms and an on-site community room and laundry. Edmonds said NRCA will partner with New River Valley Community Services for tenant services and that the property will be ADA accessible via a new elevator.
"Supportive housing combines affordable housing with robust voluntary and wrap-around supportive services that help people who face the most complex challenges to live with stability, autonomy and dignity," Edmonds said. She added the project would be paid for through outside grants and would not seek a tax abatement; NRCA cited a committed $1.7 million from the Blacksburg HOME Consortium and other grant applications.
Council members and dozens of residents pressed NRCA on screening and oversight. Staff and commissioners asked whether tenants would be drawn from Radford's population and what would happen if a tenant became disruptive. NRCA officials said tenants will be selected from their continuum-of-care caseloads and local waitlists and that residents pay 30% of income in rent under leases; eviction would follow ordinary legal steps when necessary but would be paired with continued case management and alternative housing options.
"We're here to find solutions to housing and to help people who face the most barriers," Edmonds said, explaining that NRCA currently manages similar placements and operates with property managers trained in permanent supportive housing.
Public commenters were sharply divided. Neighbors and local property owners expressed concerns that the site is in or adjacent to the business district and near university housing, and warned of potential effects on property values, neighborhood safety and increased density. Several speakers sought firm written criteria for tenant eligibility, clearer security plans (fencing, cameras, on-call staff) and assurances about ongoing maintenance and enforcement of lease terms.
Supporters, including NRCA staff and residents in recovery, said the project places vulnerable people into stable housing and cited national research supporting supportive housing's cost-effectiveness and positive health outcomes. Housing counselors and residents with lived experience argued that housing people reduces street exposure and improves public safety.
Planning staff opened and conducted a planning commission public hearing; the commission and council took no final action at the meeting and will continue consideration at later sessions. Council members and staff emphasized the hearing and comment record will be part of the planning commission's review before any rezoning or related approvals.
