South Bay Apartments

South Bay Apartments in Portsmouth, Virginia is the third regional permanent supportive housing development for formerly homeless adults from Hampton Roads. Opened in 2010, each of the 60 studio apartments is about 380 square feet and includes a bed, dresser, table, chair, kitchenette and full bathroom. Six of the units are fully accessible for persons with disabilities.

The localities of Portsmouth, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake provided funding and rental subsidies, and the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority donated the land. Additional funding sources included the syndication of Low Income Housing Tax Credits, loans from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and Virginia Housing Development Authority and grants from private foundations. Total development costs were approximately $7 million dollars.

South Bay Apartments is EarthCraft Virginia-certified for energy and resource efficiency and incorporates a photovoltaic solar electric system designed to reduce the building’s energy load by up to 20%.  In addition, all appliances are Energy Star rated.  South Bay Apartments won the EarthCraft Virginia Multi-Family New Construction of the Year Award in 2011.

Tenants pay 30% of their income as rent, with a minimum rent payment of $50 per month. Supportive services are available to help residents stabilize and improve their health, incomes and housing.