Housing Matters: New Affordable Housing for Seniors Opens in Virginia Beach

Seniors with very low income now have a new option for affordable housing in Virginia Beach. The City of Virginia Beach joined Seniors Unlimited Lifestyles, Inc. (SULI), the Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation (VBCDC) and housing partners on Oct. 30 to celebrate the opening of Tranquility at the Lakes II on Burton Station Road.

The opening of Tranquility at the Lakes II arrives at a critical time when more than one-third of senior-led households in Virginia Beach are considered cost-burdened, meaning they spend over 30% of their income on housing costs.  

The new development adds 38 units of affordable rental housing and serves seniors with incomes below 60% of the area median income. Residents must be 62 years or older, or 55 years or older with a disability. Tranquility at the Lakes II was designed to support residents’ independence and aging in place. All apartments have universal design features, and five are fully accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. 

Tranquility at the Lakes II was co-developed by SULI and VBCDC. The first Tranquility at the Lakes, located next to the new development, also provides affordable rental housing for seniors. 

The City facilitated the sale of 1.5 acres of City-owned land and contributed $2.2 million in federal funding toward construction costs for Tranquility at the Lakes II. Housing & Neighborhood Preservation also dedicated rental assistance vouchers for 20 units to help ensure eligible tenants of these units will only pay 30% of their income on rent and utilities.

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City Council approved the development of an education campaign on affordable housing, which was recommended in the 2024 Housing Study report. Housing Matters is the City’s educational and outreach initiative led by Virginia Beach Housing & Neighborhood Preservation that aims to increase residents’ understanding of affordable housing and the need in Virginia Beach.