VHA is proud to present our May member spotlight, Housing Alexandria.
About Housing Alexandria:
Housing Alexandria is a non-profit community developer committed to creating and preserving quality affordable housing and community-focused spaces to empower their residents and benefit Alexandria’s neighborhoods. The most rewarding aspect of their affordable housing work is witnessing the transformative impact they have on the lives of their residents. Each day, they see families and individuals who, through their programs and services, gain access to stable housing, which in turn fosters a sense of security and belonging within the community. Ultimately, the most rewarding part of their work is knowing that they are not just providing housing; they are fostering a vibrant, resilient community where individuals can thrive and achieve their dreams.
Project Spotlight:
Housing Alexandria is excited to share updates on their Sansé/Naja project, a community-focused, mixed-use development located in the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood of Alexandria. This transformative project will deliver 474 units of affordable housing and over 30,000 square feet of commercial space, directly addressing the housing priorities identified in the City of Alexandria’s small area plan update adopted in 2022.
As of 2025, the City of Alexandria has committed $78 million to the development, with key financing partners including Virginia Housing, Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund, Hudson Housing, and The Weissberg Investment Corporation/ Weissberg Foundation. Construction is currently underway, with the first residential units scheduled for move-in during the summer of 2026. Notably, over 50% of the units at Sansé will be 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom, and 105 units will be available to households at 40% AMI.
The residential buildings are designed to accommodate multi-generational living, featuring amenities such as a fitness center, children’s playroom, and classrooms for resident services programming. Additionally, outdoor spaces will be accessible to the neighborhood, fostering community engagement. The commercial space is being planned for mission-based, Alexandria-focused organizations that will provide essential services to both residents of the development and the broader Arlandria-Chirilagua community.
Member Quote:
Housing Alexandria has been partnering with VHA and the VISTA program for years, and the impact it has had on our organization has been immeasurable. Not only has our current VISTA, Sean Morrissey, led Housing Alexandria’s Spring2ACTion campaign and started the Housing Alexandria Resident Storytelling project, but two past VISTAs, Briana Harris and William Stowe, are now current team members who are integral to our Sansé/Naja project and Cardinal Path homeownership project, respectively.
Additionally, due to VHA’s regular and timely updates in regards to housing legislative initiatives, Housing Alexandria has been able to keep up to date with any changes that could impact our work. This has allowed us to make well-informed decisions that impact our organization’s strategy and the projects we choose to take on to bring affordable housing to Alexandria.
-Housing Alexandria’s Communications Team