Roanoke nonprofit Restoration Housing is beginning construction on its third project in the historic Belmont neighborhood.
The 2,700-square-foot house at 920 Stewart Ave. S.E., is described as an example of Victorian architecture of the early 20th century. It has been vacant for several years and is in “a severe state of disrepair.”
Restoration efforts will include repairing all historic material such as original wooden siding, exterior trim, porch details, wooden flooring, interior trim, wooden doors, and original windows. New plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems, in addition to custom cabinets, new appliances, in-unit washers and dryers, and granite countertops also will be installed.
Roanoke contractor TBS Construction is performing the renovation with Jeff Wood Designs providing schematic and construction drawings.
This is the sixth rehabilitation overhaul for Restoration Housing, which began in 2014. The completed rehab will offer high-quality housing at affordable rental rates for two families with limited incomes.
Restoration Housing keeps the rents affordable through grants and fundraising efforts that fully subsidize construction costs. The organization received federal HOME block grant funds from the city of Roanoke, which account for a large portion of the grant funding, in 2021. Other construction sources were obtained through local foundations and the use of Historic Tax Credits.
“Our organization is proud to begin our third project in Southeast Roanoke and to continue in our efforts to re-invest in this beautiful and historic section of Roanoke,” Isabel Thornton, executive director, said in an announcement about the program. “We have long believed that this neighborhood is a tremendous resource to the broader Roanoke community. Many homes are already quite affordable here but with their older age, repair costs can be prohibitive. This is why it’s helpful for us, as a nonprofit, to make use of our unique resources for this important work.”
Restoration Housing’s first two projects were in the West End neighborhood, and the third project is the Villa Heights Recreation Center in Northwest Roanoke that provides affordable rental space for nonprofit organizations seeking to expand services in low- to moderate income neighborhoods.
The fourth and fifth projects are down the street from 920 Stewart.
Published March 11, 2022 in The Roanoke Times by Joanne Poindexter.
