Capacity Building Grant’s Impact on Full Display in Danville

April 14, 2026

Communities across Virginia continue to face significant shortages of affordable housing, and the city of Danville and its surrounding areas are no exception. While recent years have seen an uptick in employers wanting to help solve the housing crisis, affordable housing options for Virginia’s workforce continue to lag.

Danville’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism recently partnered with Virginia Housing and the Incremental Development Alliance (IDA) to host the Southern Virginia Region Small Scale Development Workshop, a one-day training designed to equip emerging developers with the skills needed to build or renovate infill housing. The workshop was a sold-out event, and attendees ranged from aspiring developers, community advocates and local government officials to lenders, property owners and faith-based organizations.

The Office of Economic Development and Tourism leaned on funding from a Virginia Housing Capacity Building Training Grant to host the workshop. Part of Virginia Housing’s broader Capacity Building Grant Program, the training grant helps staff from nonprofits and local government offices attend or host workshops, seminars and courses that strengthen their ability to address affordable housing needs. By making opportunities for high-quality training more affordable and accessible, the grant helps organizations develop and retain staff, which in turn makes their housing efforts more impactful.

About the Workshop

In Danville, as with many other cities in Virginia, there is a surplus of vacant lots and blighted buildings that offer opportunities to address the housing crunch, and supporting small developers is an excellent way to increase affordable housing supply. Small-scale infill housing such as duplexes, triplexes and accessory dwelling units provide new units while also revitalizing vacant properties and adding to the fabric of long-standing neighborhoods. Projects on this scale also offer a way for aspiring entrepreneurs to gain a foothold in the industry, as both financing and construction are more feasible than with larger multifamily projects.

The IDA’s curriculum walked participants through the ins and outs of small-scale development, starting from square one. The team encouraged participants to imagine an array of housing types in various scenarios while also providing instruction on how to conduct market research, project cash flow, pitch ideas to lenders, navigate zoning codes and more. Participants left with both a clear understanding of next steps and encouragement to dream big when considering how they might contribute to their community’s growth.
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“We’re already hearing from people wanting to take the next step,” said Danville Director of Housing and Development Susan McCulloch. “I’m seeing developers think about new possibilities, and partners want to know how they can support small-scale developers.”

Providing the Missing Piece

With a need for more housing and a burgeoning community of new and emerging entrepreneurs, Danville had all the right ingredients for a successful workshop. All that was missing was the support needed to bring the right pieces to the same table. That’s where Virginia Housing came in.

“Virginia Housing’s grant opened up the door for opportunities,” noted Samantha Bagbey, the Office of Economic Development and Tourism’s Economic Development Project Manager. “If it weren’t for being able to apply for the grant, I don’t know if we could have swung it because of the costs.”

"This is exactly how the Capacity Building Grant Program should work," noted Virginia Housing Director of Grant Programs and Initiatives Kelly Gill-Gordon.

“We have a mission of providing Virginians with quality, affordable housing,” said Gill-Gordon. “There are so many organizations across the state who share that mission and want to carry it out. Where Virginia Housing comes in is by offering support so they can build their on-the-ground capacity.”

Whether your community is focused on small-scale development or another aspect of affordable housing, Virginia Housing can help. Please reach out to discuss how the Capacity Building Training Grant can support an event tailored to your community’s or region’s needs.