Norfolk Housing Authority Plans Major Renovations Through Section 8 Conversion

The housing authority will use a federal program to fund upgrades at several public housing complexes.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:21am

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Norfolk's public housing authority is planning extensive renovation projects at several locations, including Broad Creek and Sykes Midrise Apartments, using a federal program that will convert the properties to rent-subsidized housing under the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program. The conversions will unlock more financing options for the authority, allowing it to borrow funds and leverage tax credits to complete the upgrades.

Why it matters

The renovations will improve living conditions for low-income residents in Norfolk's public housing units. The conversion to Section 8 will also provide the housing authority with more flexibility in funding the projects and managing the properties going forward.

The details

The housing authority plans to renovate 88 apartments in the Broad Creek neighborhood, converting 64 of them from Section 9 public housing to Section 8 rent-subsidized units. Similar renovations are also planned for the 84-unit Sykes Midrise Apartments complex. The upgrades will include exterior improvements like new roofs and siding, as well as interior work such as new appliances, flooring, cabinets, and plumbing fixtures. The housing authority will partner with private developers to own the properties through tax credit partnerships, which will allow them to borrow funds and access tax credits to finance the renovations.

  • The Broad Creek financing is expected to close in June 2026, with renovations completed by January 2027.
  • The Sykes Midrise Apartments construction is planned to start in April 2026 and last 16-18 months.

The players

Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority

The public housing authority in Norfolk, Virginia that is planning the renovation projects.

The Community Builders

A Boston-based affordable housing developer that is partnering with the Norfolk housing authority on the Broad Creek renovation project.

Steve Morales

The interim deputy executive director and chief development officer of the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Leha Byrd

A spokesperson for the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Nathan Simms

The former executive director of the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority who was fired in late 2025.

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What they’re saying

“The key item is it will allow public housing authorities to borrow funds (debt) generally as part of a Low Income Housing Tax Credit renovation project, so it leverages the funding today with tax credits to get more significant renovations completed.”

— Steve Morales, interim deputy executive director and chief development officer

What’s next

The housing authority plans to close on the Broad Creek financing in June 2026 and begin construction that same month, with the renovations expected to be completed by January 2027. The Sykes Midrise Apartments project is scheduled to start construction in April 2026 and last 16-18 months.

The takeaway

The Norfolk housing authority's use of the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration program to convert public housing units to Section 8 rent-subsidized properties will provide a pathway to fund much-needed renovations and upgrades at several of the city's aging public housing complexes. This innovative approach allows the authority to leverage tax credits and other financing tools to improve living conditions for low-income residents.