A Legacy Built on Community
For more than six decades, the Waynesboro Redevelopment and Housing Authority has shown up for the people of Waynesboro. What began as a city council resolution in 1962 has grown into a network of 188 public housing units, hundreds of Housing Choice Vouchers, and a suite of programs designed to help residents build stable, self-sufficient lives. This is the story of how we began, what we've built, and the future we're still working toward.
Affordable Housing Arrives
Virginia's 1938 housing legislation gave cities the power to act. Waynesboro was growing fast, but safe, affordable housing wasn't keeping up.
WRHA Founded
On May 14, 1962, the Waynesboro City Council made it official. Housing wasn't just a personal problem. It was a community responsibility. WRHA was created to meet it.
Public Housing Expands
WRHA's first complexes opened across Waynesboro, starting with 61 units on 10th Street and New Hope Road, then additional housing in Ivanhoe in the early 1980s. By 1985, Springdale added 77 units specifically for elderly and disabled tenants.
HCV Program Launches
WRHA launched the Housing Choice Voucher Program with just 24 vouchers, giving families the freedom to rent in the private market. That number has since grown to 486 and counting.
FSS Program Launches
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program launched on a simple belief: a stable home is the starting line, not the finish. Through customized five-year plans, community partnerships, and a matched savings account, FSS helps the families we serve build futures that belong entirely to them.
King's Way Opens
WRHA's last federally funded development brought more than housing. The on-site Learning Center, open to everyone in Waynesboro, offers GED instruction and ESOL classes because opportunity should extend beyond four walls.
Supportive Housing Opens
A six-unit permanent supportive housing complex opened for individuals experiencing homelessness or living with disabilities. It was a clear statement. WRHA's commitment reaches everyone, especially those who need it most.
Stability Through the Recession
Through the Great Recession and years of economic volatility, WRHA remained a steady anchor for Waynesboro families. When the private market faltered, WRHA held firm.
Rising Rents, Growing Need
After the pandemic the cost of housing increased and our waitlists became longer. Today, roughly 34% of Waynesboro households are cost-burdened. The need is bigger than ever, and the work continues.
Building Long-Term Stability
Today, WRHA meets Waynesboro's evolving needs through 188 homes, nearly 500 Housing Choice Vouchers, and robust supportive programs. Our focus is on long-term stability and helping families transition to independence.
