Neff Avenue Development | City of Harrisonburg, VA

Roughly 8.26 City-owned acres by A Dream Come True playground will become new affordable housing for the City of Harrisonburg. This page contains project updates and information.

Project Goals
With the Neff Avenue development, the City aims to support local families, workers, and seniors with new high-quality, well-managed affordable housing that respects the character and needs of the surrounding area.

Coming Up: City Council Public Hearing
The next step in this process is a public hearing for the Development Agreement. The public will be able to provide input at this meeting.

What: City Council will consider approving a contract with selected development partner Pennrose. The terms specify property conveyance at zero cost in exchange for long-term affordable housing for households with limited income.
When: August 11, 2026 at 7:00pm
Where: City Council Chambers at City Hall (also viewable online and on Public Education Government Channel 1072)

If the contract is approved, Pennrose can begin working more closely with the City and the community. Next steps will include more planning for the project, public engagement, land use considerations, site design, and technical reviews. The City will work with Pennrose to coordinate community meetings and other ways for residents to share input.

Stay Informed
The City is committed to keeping the community informed as planning moves forward. Project updates, news, and announcements will be posted on this webpage.

Sign up to receive updates on the Neff Avenue Development Project.
Questions may be emailed to the City's Housing Coordinator, Liz Webb, at Liz.Webb@HarrisonburgVA.gov.

Timeline and Background Materials

City of Harrisonburg Comprehensive Housing Assessment and Market Study, Jan. 2021
Recommended using City-owned property for affordable housing
Neff Avenue & Central Avenue Affordable Housing Development Site Analysis, June 2023
Assessed site development feasibility and options. Neff Avenue’s size and proximity to schools, transit, parks and shopping make it a strong candidate for affordable rental housing
Council Presentation: Affordable Housing Development Site Analysis - Central & Neff, Feb 2024
Development scenarios for two sites
Council Presentation: Affordable Housing and City-Owned Properties - Process, Aug. 2024
City surplus property disposition strategy and next steps for Neff Ave site
Neff Avenue Affordable Housing Development Opportunity, July 2025
Sought proposals from qualified developers with successful track records in affordable multifamily housing to design, build, own, and operate high quality rental housing with long-term affordability at the Neff Avenue site.
Council Presentation: Neff Avenue Development Update, November 2025
Introduced selected development partner Pennrose, a national development company with decades of affordable housing experience.
- Presentation Slides

City Council Vision: Available Housing For All

This project is part of a larger plan to meet a spectrum of housing needs through innovative planning and effective partnerships. The City of Harrisonburg is committed to Available Housing For All. To learn more about the City’s vision for the future, see the 2045 City Council Vision Plan.

Housing Study and Strategies

In response to community concerns about housing affordability, the City of Harrisonburg commissioned the 2021 Comprehensive Housing Assessment and Market Study to explore housing needs and possible solutions. The study included 17 priority recommendations for the City.

Housing Study Action: Recommendation #8

Identify City-owned assets suitable for affordable and/or mixed income residential development and issue Requests for Proposals for development.

Housing