Norfolk’s St. Paul’s Area/Tidewater Gardens Transformation, a HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Project, Will Continue with Additional Housing Opportunities
Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) is pleased to announce a settlement agreement in Bryant v. City of Norfolk, ensuring the City of Norfolk and NRHA’s Redevelopment Plan meets the housing and relocation needs of Tidewater Gardens residents.
The joint Settlement Agreement was reached after nearly two years of litigation over the Tidewater Gardens Transformation project. The initial complaint — filed after HUD awarded NRHA and the City of Norfolk a Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) implementation grant — challenged the legitimacy of the CNI implementation grant and the perceived impact of the redevelopment and relocation plan on residents of Tidewater Gardens and other low-income and minority residents of the city. The new community will be an economically inclusive neighborhood with mixed-income housing, parks, retail, and community amenities and services.
Through the Settlement Agreement, NRHA and the City of Norfolk reaffirm their guarantee that all eligible Tidewater Gardens residents will be able relocate to a housing unit in the redeveloped community if they choose to return. NRHA and the City of Norfolk also reaffirm their commitment to honoring the housing choices of all Tidewater Gardens residents by designating affordable units on- and off-site, and by providing Housing Choice Vouchers for those who wish to relocate to other neighborhoods or even outside of the city.
Additionally, NRHA and the City of Norfolk will continue providing robust relocation support for Tidewater Gardens residents as they transition to new housing, including case management.
“This settlement means three very important things to our community. First, it reaffirms our commitment to our Tidewater Gardens residents and the future generations of families who will grow and thrive in the redeveloped community. Second, it ratifies the vision for redevelopment created together by Tidewater Gardens residents, stakeholders, the City of Norfolk, and NRHA. Third, it’s time to move forward and focus all our attention on working to make this transformation a reality,” said NRHA Executive Director Ronald Jackson.
“We will continue to listen to residents and advocates throughout this process, and incorporate their feedback into our plans, ensuring all eligible Tidewater Gardens families have the housing support they need during the transition and when the new community is move-in ready. We’re excited to take this big step forward together,” said Jackson.
The present plan required by the Settlement Agreement includes relatively modest changes from the original Redevelopment Plan. “Every aspect of the Redevelopment Plan, which was crafted to be the best feasible plan for Tidewater Gardens residents and for Norfolk, was examined for nearly two years in this litigation, and after that exhaustive examination, only very few changes were required by the settlement,” said Jackson.
Key Features of the Settlement:
The Settlement Agreement makes minor changes in the existing Redevelopment Plan and includes initiatives that NRHA and the City of Norfolk will undertake:
- Housing Affordability: The City of Norfolk and NRHA will increase the number of Project-Based Voucher replacement units at the redeveloped Tidewater Gardens from 226 to 260, with a corresponding reduction in the number of other types of housing units on-site. The City of Norfolk and NRHA will make good faith efforts to support the development of an additional 95 Project-Based Voucher units off-site over the course of the next seven years. Tidewater Gardens residents will have a first preference for admission to the Project-Based Voucher units in the nearby development called Market Heights.
- Housing Choices: NRHA will increase the purchasing power of Housing Choice Vouchers in two zip codes and the City of Norfolk will enforce its previously adopted ordinance prohibiting housing discrimination based on source of income – including receipt of a Housing Choice Voucher.
- Housing Mobility: The City will retain a consultant that will evaluate and advise the People First program, which provides a wide range of services, including mobility counseling and relocation support, to Tidewater Gardens residents.
What Does NOT Change about the Redevelopment Plan:
- All Eligible Tidewater Gardens Residents Will Continue to Have the Right to Return: All eligible Tidewater Gardens residents will continue to have the right to return to the redeveloped area. The Settlement Agreement does not change this.
- Residents Will Continue to Have First Preference for Housing: Tidewater Gardens residents will continue to have a first preference for admission to the Project-Based Voucher replacement units and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units at the redeveloped site. The Settlement Agreement does not change this.
- The City of Norfolk and NRHA Will Continue to Provide Moving Assistance to Residents: Residents who have relocated will continue to have their moving expenses reimbursed and their utility and security deposits paid by the City or NRHA. The Settlement Agreement does not change this.
- The Timeline of the Redevelopment Remains the Same: The timing of the redevelopment continues on its original path, with no changes or delays because of the Settlement Agreement.
- The Size and Scale of the Redevelopment Remains the Same: The size and scale of the redevelopment remains as it was before the litigation commenced. The redeveloped area will continue to provide the types of housing most desired by Tidewater Gardens residents. The Settlement Agreement does not change this.
- The Tidewater Gardens Transformation Plan did not include, and still does not include, Plans to Demolish Calvert Square or Young Terrace: The future of Young Terrace and Calvert Square will be determined through extensive community planning and studies to evaluate the impact of any future redevelopment of these communities. There are no plans to demolish Calvert Square or Young Terrace within the next five years. The Settlement Agreement does not change this.
- The Value of Housing Choice Vouchers: The value of the Housing Choice Vouchers issued by NRHA will continue to be 110% of FMR. The Settlement Agreement does not change that amount.