Sussex Chosen as Hampton Housing Venture Neighborhood

April 25, 2007

On April 11, Hampton City Council approved the selection of the Sussex neighborhood as the next Hampton Housing Venture Neighborhood.

The Neighborhood Commission Reinvestment Committee selected the Sussex neighborhood as the next Housing Venture Neighborhood primarily because the housing is of a size and age that could attract reinvestment. A neighborhood tour revealed evidence of private reinvestment as well as opportunities for new investment in the area. In addition, the Kecoughtan Master Plan recommends that the area be considered for the Hampton Housing Venture due to the similarity of the architecture and strong sense of place.

The Reinvestment Committee believes the brick housing stock has good market potential with minimal public investment. The neighborhood is small; therefore, concentrating investments will have a significant impact on the physical condition of the neighborhood. In addition, the neighborhood shares an entrance with Merrimac Shores and backs up to Chesapeake Avenue. The Sussex Neighborhood Association is very active and willing to partner with City and Neighborhood Commission.

Neighborhood Office staff will begin working with the Sussex Neighborhood Association to establish a planning team that represents neighborhood stakeholders. After the team is established, staff will work with its members to identify a vision, outcomes, and strategies for housing reinvestment in Sussex. The final product, a housing revitalization plan, will then be presented to the neighborhood, Neighborhood Commission, Planning Commission, and City Council for approval.

The Neighborhood Commission Reinvestment Committee was established in 2001 to develop and carry out strategies to monitor, preserve, and improve the quality and conditions of Hampton's single family and multi-family housing stock to ensure a healthy living environment. The committee's role has been to provide feedback and advice to the Neighborhood Initiative and city departments regarding policies and strategies for blight abatement, housing improvements, and neighborhood beautification.

In 2001, the Reinvestment Committee selected the neighborhoods of Pasture Point and Olde Hampton as pilot areas for the Hampton Housing Venture with the intent that the program would be expanded to include other neighborhoods over time. The housing values increased by 43% and 24% respectively in both of the venture neighborhoods, surpassing the core cities increase of 19% in Hampton Roads. Sussex is the first such neighborhood to be selected under the expanded program and the Neighborhood Office staff looks forward to partnering with this neighborhood to encourage future reinvestment.