VAMA is now accepting applications for the 2026 Sandra Winfrey Advocacy Scholarship, made possible through a generous gift from the Winfrey family. The scholarship provides recipients with full funding to attend four major industry events—VAMA Lobby Day, NAA Advocate, the Joint Democratic Caucus Retreat, and the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference—offering hands-on experience in legislative advocacy and housing policy. In addition to event participation, recipients will receive mentorship from experienced industry leaders to support their growth as advocates. Interested members must apply by Friday, October 3, 2025. 

The 2026 VAMA Calendar & Budget Guide is now available to help you plan for the year ahead with ease. The PDF includes membership dues, event and education pricing, sponsorship opportunities, and key dates for each of VAMA’s six chapters. 

Virginia’s apartment market is cooling after several years of rapid growth. Rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and economic uncertainty are slowing down new development, and the number of new apartments is expected to keep dropping over the next few years. Even with fewer projects, demand for rentals is still strong due to high homeownership costs. Rent growth is continuing, but at a slower pace than during the pandemic, and some areas, like Richmond and Northern Virginia, are seeing more leasing activity than others. Analysts say the overall trend reflects normalization rather than a downturn, as supply and demand move toward a more balanced state.

Multifamily developer/operator Core Spaces is rolling out free mental health support for student residents through a new partnership with Talkspace. Beginning this month, up to 30,000 students across 32 university markets will have access to 24/7 messaging with licensed professionals, a mental health app, and a complimentary virtual therapy session each year. The initiative reflects Core Spaces’ commitment to creating community-focused housing experiences and is expected to expand to all 78 communities under its management. 

If your community has a HUD-backed loan, affordable apartment homes and NSPIRE inspection on the horizon, don't miss this FREE webinar from NAA on September 24, 2025 at 2:00pm. Get the full study guide for the test from industry experts and be prepared to pass your NSPIRE inspection with flying colors. Learn what inspectors are looking for and how to keep your community ready.

Did you know that bats can expose residents to rabies without leaving a visible bite? In Virginia, any bat found in a living space should be safely captured and tested—not simply released—to ensure residents are protected. Anyone who has had direct contact with a bat and cannot rule out a bite, or who has been in a room with a bat but cannot confirm whether exposure occurred (such as an infant, a cognitively impaired person, or a sleeping adult), should be considered potentially exposed to rabies. To help our members avoid unexpected liability and keep communities safe, we’re sharing this quick-reference guide on rabies exposure and proper reporting procedures.

We’re proud to share that VAMA member and maintenance certification instructor Shannon Wilson was featured on the Talking Pools Podcast! Shannon shares his insights on mentorship, safety, leadership, and the importance of pool chemistry in professional growth. Don’t miss this conversation full of valuable lessons for industry professionals.

Developers of the planned 200-acre Nunnally Village in western Chesterfield are proposing up to 400 single-family homes and 600 multifamily units as part of the mixed-use project. Residential areas would be set back from commercial and medical uses, separated by a linear park and wetlands. The rezoning request is under county review with no set timeline for approval.

Newport News is moving forward with a $400 million Navy-backed project that will bring 750 new apartments for sailors to the city’s downtown. Phase I includes a 17-story, 555-unit tower, retail space, and a 1,050-space parking garage, while Phase II will add nearly 200 more units and additional retail. Construction is expected to begin next year.

New projections from UVA show rapid growth ahead for James City, New Kent, York, Williamsburg, and King William counties, with New Kent leading at more than 70% growth by 2050. Local leaders say planning is already underway to address the added demand on schools, infrastructure, and housing. The Virginia Coalition of High Growth Communities, which includes James City County, is working to help fast-growing areas manage these challenges.
Source: Daily Press

The upcoming phase of the Sauer Center in Richmond is planned to add more than 2 million square feet of new development, including residential units, commercial space, and hospitality buildings across nearly 40 acres. While details on timing remain unclear, the expansion would mark one of the city’s largest mixed-use projects, building on the existing Whole Foods- and CarMax-anchored campus.
Source: Richmond BizSense

Housing will remain off the table in Virginia Beach’s Interfacility Traffic Area (ITA), where residential development is essentially prohibited due to military flight zones and noise restrictions. While city officials are exploring new industrial, recreational, and public service uses for the 4,400-acre area, zoning and environmental rules keep the ITA as a buffer between dense neighborhoods and farmland rather than a site for new housing.