Focal Point

Charvalla West, Interim CEO of the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula discusses a pilot program that helps families avoid eviction and move out of poverty.

As public housing authorities have struggled to match shrinking federal support with growing demand for housing assistance, there’s been a dramatic shift to new forms of development and hybrid communities. Affordable housing managers lay out the vision and the rationale for what they describe as a better way forward for those most in need of housing assistance.

Many Roanoke residents are still haunted by their memories of urban renewal. A new development plan is bringing back issues of distrust between the community and city leaders.

In December, Charlottesville’s City Council unanimously approved a zoning ordinance change. It has been opposed by several residents concerned about population density, capacity and preserving the city’s charm.The new zoning ordinance calls for higher density, requires buildings with 10 or more units to make 10% of them affordable – defined by 60% of the area median income – and eliminates all single-family residential zoning.

An exhibit shows the impact of redlining through a series of maps. The maps show how the discriminatory housing practice has impacts on other factors like wealth and health.

All over Virginia, public housing authorities have been demolishing aging developments with the plan to rebuild better homes with more amenities. From demolition to newly designed home, are those promises being realized years later?

Derrick Ziglar, who was a Martinsville high school football star and graduated from VMI, found success in real estate in Dallas. He recently returned home to help revitalize his community by buying property, serving on boards and mentoring others. Local business owner Natalie Hodge said, “Derrick represents a young person who’s come back and who’s investing time and talent into the community.”

Howard Zehr, often called the “grandfather” of restorative justice speaks about his role in the movement, and how it is shaped by indigenous traditions and cultures.

Eastern Mennonite University, located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, began the nation’s first graduate level program related to restorative justice. Now students come from around the world to study big ideas about reform on this small college campus.

Restorative justice is a practice that originated in the 1970s. But how does it work, and why is it being used? Many agencies turn to it as a practice in an effort to reduce punitive measures.