Housing Matters: Opening New Doors for Seniors in Virginia Beach

In Virginia Beach, 54,046 households — 30% of all households — are led by an individual who is 62 years or older. Of those, more than one-third are considered cost-burdened, meaning they spend over 30% of their income on housing costs.

Ensuring seniors have access to safe, stable and affordable housing is important to helping our community thrive. The City is working toward this goal by supporting new developments, creating programs and providing resources to address the housing needs of older adults.

Housing Challenges for Seniors 

For many seniors who rely on fixed or limited incomes, even small increases in rent or ongoing homeownership expenses — property taxes, insurance and maintenance — can be hard to manage. Seniors are also more likely than any other age group to live alone, contributing to more financial strain. In fact, compared to millennials, baby boomers in Virginia Beach are more likely to be severely cost-burdened — spending over half of their income on housing. 

Options are also needed for older adults looking to downsize and live in places that are more accessible or easier to maintain. When these choices are limited, especially for seniors that already have difficulty affording housing costs, they may remain in homes that are not designed for aging in place. This not only affects the safety and quality of life of senior homeowners, it also reduces the availability of starter homes for residents who need them. 

Finding Peace and Belonging in the Right Home 

Tranquility at the Lakes resident Gail Darby understands these challenges faced by her peers. Originally from New Jersey, Darby fell in love with this area after visiting her daughter in college and finished her 30-year career in early childhood education here. 

After retiring, finding an available home that not only met her needs but also felt safe and welcoming was a challenge at first, leaving her discouraged. Then, by what she calls a blessing, a contact referred her to Tranquility at the Lakes.  

The community provides 40 units of affordable rental housing for seniors – half are supported by rental assistance vouchers from Housing & Neighborhood Preservation, so that tenants will only pay 30% of their income toward rent. The remaining units are affordable to households with incomes at 50% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI). The City also contributed funds toward its development.  

After touring Tranquility at the Lakes, Darby immediately felt a sense of peace and belonging and believes every older adult deserves the same. She is especially excited to make connections with new neighbors when a second phase is completed.

“Looking out my patio, I envision becoming acquainted with the new residents, as we come together in our various activities. Peace and contentment come about when you find a place that says, ‘We care about you.’ I especially think it's important as we get older.”

Opening Doors to Meet the Need 

Two new affordable housing developments — 210 total rental units — are in the pipeline or opening soon in Virginia Beach. 

Tranquility at the Lakes II is expected to open this summer and will provide 38 units for seniors with very low incomes — below 60% AMI. The City facilitated the sale of 1.5 acres of City-owned land and contributed $2.2 million in federal funding toward construction costs. Housing & Neighborhood Preservation has also committed rental assistance vouchers for 20 units. 

Construction is currently underway for Grand Lake Crest Senior Apartments, a 172-unit apartment community for residents ages 62 and older that will serve and be affordable to households with incomes of 30% to 80% of the AMI. It was one of the first to be approved under the Attainable Workforce Housing Performance (AWHP) Grant Program, which launched in September 2025 to boost affordable housing and economic growth. 

Additional Resources and Support 

• Senior Housing and Resources Guide: Compiled by the Mayor’s Commission on Aging (MCOA), it provides information on housing options and other related topics, from downsizing and retirement to senior rights and pertinent City services. It is available free to download, and limited quantities of printed copies are also available at Virginia Beach Public Library branches.
• Tax Relief Programs: The Commissioner of the Revenue offers relief for real estate and mobile home taxes for senior citizens (at least 65 years of age) and other qualifying residents. First-time applicants must make an appointment by calling 757-385-4385.   
• Home Rehabilitation Assistance: Housing & Neighborhood Preservation offers programs to help make home rehabilitation more affordable for eligible homeowners with low- to moderate-income. Assistance may address health and safety hazards, make accessibility modifications and correct certain code violations. To see if you qualify, contact the department’s Housing Development Division at 757-385-5750 or HomeRehab@vbgov.com.   

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