In 1994, a small group of South Hampton Roads volunteers gathered to share their concerns over the lack of housing for persons with mobility impairments. While affordable housing for persons with disabilities is always difficult to find, accessible housing for persons in wheelchairs is virtually non existent. The reality is that the majority of these persons who desire to return to the community in an independent living setting have only the undesirable nursing home option facing them.

To address this problem, the group approached the Virginia Dept of Housing and Community Development in Richmond for assistance and received a "start up" grant which permitted them to organize officially as a 501c3 non profit, an essential first step to housing development.

Attention then turned to finding an experienced partner with a proven track record in developing affordable, accessible housing. AHC quickly settled on the Accessible Space INC non profit of St Paul Minnesota and its 15 years of housing development for persons with mobility impairments. ASI has unparalleled national reputation in the field.

In early 1995, a major step forward was achieved when a vital and ideal parcel of land was contributed to AHC by the firm of Ripley- Heatwole and its partner Sun America. This parcel in Wards Corner, Norfolk became the site for the Anchorage.

In 1995, in partnership with ASI, AHC received a HUD grant of 1.4 million for a 25 unit apartment building (specifically designed for wheelchair residents) which along with funds from other contributors, resulted in the Anchorage in 1999. The Anchorage has been fully rented since then and maintains a considerable waiting list. Our cosponsor, ASI, manages the apartments and the application process. Qualifying low income disabled residents pay 30% of adjusted income in accordance with HUD regulations.

In 1998, while the Anchorage was under construction, AHC and ASI teamed once again and received another HUD grant for 20 units of accessible housing this time in the Chesapeake area on land contributed by the Chespeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority in the new Compostella Square development. This project has been named The Sanderling.

“Construction started on The Sanderling, after several unavoidable delays, in October 2004 and was completed in December 2005. Residents began to occupy their new homes beginning in February 2006. AHC intends to continue this successful development program throughout Hampton Roads.“