Home Safe The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law on March 11, 2021, provided resources necessary for recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. ARPA authorized two critical funding streams: HOME-ARP, aimed at reducing homelessness and increasing housing stability; SLFRF, aimed to aid state, territorial, local, and [...]
Climate change is one of the most important issues of our time and has major health and healthcare implications. Heatwaves are one of the most dangerous of all weather-related disasters. Climate change will increase their frequency, duration, and intensity. Heat exposure and health risks are closely linked to the built environment of cities and [...]
What is an Accessory Apartment? An accessory apartment, also known as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), is an independent, residential living area that is on the same property as a larger, primary dwelling unit. The term accessory describes the unit as secondary to the primary unit, in the same way a garage is [...]
What is the Belmont-Fallon Target Area? For nearly 20 years, Roanoke has concentrated its community development funding into a single neighborhood to increase its impact. In 2019, the City selected the Belmont and Fallon neighborhoods as a focus for the next five years. Known as "Belmont-Fallon," this area is located between I-581 and [...]
What is Welcoming Roanoke? Roanoke was among 13 communities selected by New American Economy (NAE) and Welcoming America to receive awards through the Gateways for Growth Challenge. As part of this award, Roanoke received support to create the Welcoming Roanoke Plan, which serves as the City's multi-sector strategic plan for integration that highlights [...]
What is the Brownfield Redevelopment Program? Roanoke’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program is a component of the City’s efforts to encourage investment in and rejuvenation of its core neighborhoods. Brownfields are properties that have actual or perceived environmental impacts which complicate their future use or development. The Brownfield Program is a [...]
What is the Melrose-Orange Target Area (MOTA)? In 2014, the City began allocating HUD funds in the Melrose-Orange Target Area. The MOTA encompasses portions of the Loudon-Melrose and Melrose Rugby neighborhoods. The boundaries extend from 10th Street NW to 24th Street NW, from and Hanover Avenue NW to Loudon Avenue NW. The intent [...]
What should Roanoke look like in 20 years? Every 20 years or so, City planners gather ideas and feedback from the community and develop a new Comprehensive Plan. This document helps guide policy decisions and future investments in the City. The most important step in the process is collaborating with [...]
