Five Partners Will Continue Exploring New Horizons With 2025 Innovation Grants
June 16, 2025Virginia Housing is proud to announce the awardees for the 2025 Innovation Grant Program:
- Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority
- Virginia Center for Housing Research (VCHR) at Virginia Tech
- YWCA Richmond
- Habitat for Humanity Virginia
- Pathway Homes Inc.
“Virginia Housing encourages holistic innovation that supports ingenuity in housing solutions,” said Virginia Housing CEO Tammy Neale. “Through our Innovation Grant Program, we are supporting our partners and investing in cutting-edge technologies that create more housing opportunities and more efficient and creative ways to help Virginians.”
This is the Innovation Grant Program’s second funding cycle. You can read about the 2024 awardees here.
How the Innovation Grant Program Works
The Innovation Grant Program supports breakthroughs in housing affordability and housing services for residents in Virginia, placing a particular focus on serving low- and moderate-income households. The grant assists partners in developing new technical and process-based solutions that, while uncommon now, could be easily replicated over the long term. Within the overall program, there are three specific types of grants: Innovation Planning, Innovation Program and Innovation Construction.
- Innovation Planning Grants provide up to $50,000 for exploring innovative ideas that are not yet ready for implementation. This grant is awarded on a noncompetitive basis to all eligible applicants.
- Innovation Program Grants offer up to $200,000 to organizations that are integrating new approaches to programs, services and financing. This includes advancements in property management, community engagement and funding models.
- Innovation Construction Grants allocate up to $500,000 to support innovative construction methods that reduce costs and construction time. This can involve the development of affordable materials or new techniques that conserve resources while improving quality and efficiency.
2025 Innovation Grant Recipients
Below, you’ll find overviews of this year’s five Innovation Grant Program recipients and their projects:
Morton Circle Innovation Project
Innovative Construction
The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority will build 28 new residential townhomes, 14 of which will be stick-built and 14 of which will be modular. The Authority will then compare the costs, impacts, market appeal and flexibility of the two project types and use the results to inform the construction of 20 additional units. Both building types will address key housing needs in Norfolk, and the side-by-side comparison will serve as a case study for housing partners across Virginia.
The Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech
Prefabricated Approaches and Volunteer-based Enhancements (PAVE)
for Virginia Nonprofit Builders
Innovative Construction
The Virginia Center for Housing Research (VCHR) at Virginia Tech will use its Innovation Grant award to help Virginia’s Habitat for Humanity affiliates frame houses more efficiently and cost-effectively, as framing is among the costliest steps in the homebuilding process. The PAVE program will provide training, design assistance and related support that makes it easier for Habitat affiliates, which largely rely on volunteer labor, to build homes with modular framing. PAVE will be used to build 18 homes in Williamsburg and Richmond, after which VCHR will evaluate and scale the program throughout the state.
YWCA Richmond
YWCA Richmond Housing Campus
Innovative Construction
YWCA Richmond is in the process of developing The Heights, a multi-use development that will provide deeply affordable housing and homeownership opportunities, early childhood education and comprehensive support services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Funding from Virginia Housing’s Innovation Grant will support construction using the Building Dignity method, an approach that aims to maximize security while also creating spaces that truly feel like home. The Building Dignity method takes a thoughtful approach to design aspects such as access points, windows and outdoor spaces to ensure that while safety remains a priority, the homes also foster healing and empowerment.
Habitat for Humanity Virginia
Habitat for Humanity Virginia’s Solar Lease Program for Low-Income Homeowners
Innovative Programs
While Habitat for Humanity homeowners benefit from lower-cost mortgages, additional expenses, including energy bills, can create continued financial burdens. Habitat for Humanity Virginia will use its Innovation Grant funds to continue working toward its goal of installing solar panels on all Habitat homes in the state. This effort will allow residents to produce their own energy while paying affordable rates to lease and eventually own the panels.
Pathway Homes, Inc.
Mobile Drop-in Center
Innovative Programs
Pathway Homes, Inc., a Fairfax-based nonprofit that provides housing and support services throughout Northern Virginia, will expand its efforts via the Path V, a retrofitted trailer. The Path V will travel directly to individuals experiencing homelessness to deliver case management services and supplies ranging from non-perishable food and blankets to first aid and bus passes. It will also be equipped with showers.