The dramatic transformation that has taken place in the Westbury neighborhood is a source of pride to our City, state and nation. What used to be Ida Barbour, a crime-ridden area of 663 dilapidated public housing units, is now Westbury, an attractive and vibrant neighborhood of 278 newly constructed, affordable family housing units, both homes for sale and apartments for rent.

Westbury began in 1997, when a competitive HUD Grant for $24.8 million was awarded to the Authority, which leveraged an additional $25 million in tax credit equity, federal home loan bank funding, capital funds, and various other local, state and federal funds. With value of the new homes exceeding $30 million, the development’s contribution to the city in the form of annual real estate tax revenue has increased from $0 to $426,000. Westbury is 95% complete with more homeownership units currently under construction.

The success of Westbury has also spurred new development in nearby areas, including the Victory Square Elderly community, the Lucas Office Building and new business investment in the downtown area. Based on the success of Westbury, the Authority has received its second HOPE VI Grant which makes Portsmouth the smallest city in the nation with two HOPE VI Grants.

Ida Barbour into Westbury

The revitalization of Ida Barbour into Westbury included plans to develop 278 units on site, consisting of 161 for sale and 117 rental units. To date, all of the old units have been demolished and 233 mixed-income homes have been built. Of these, 116 are for sale units and 117 are rental units. The new community, Westbury, boasts a six-month sell-out for the affordable homeownership phases and there is a 200-person wait list for the rental units. During the next year, the Authority will complete this project by building an additional 45 homeownership units. The project is scheduled to be complete in January 2007. In addition to the bricks and mortar, the HOPE VI program has provided our public housing residents with the tools necessary to improve the quality of life for, not only themselves, but also their families. The Authority's Family Self-Sufficency Program offers education programs, life skills classes, job training and placement as well as a certified first time homebuyer course at no cost to these families. Over the course of the HOPE VI project, over 250 families have participated in these activities. In addition, the Foundation Stone program at HOPE Village, the Authority's "Campus of Learners,"  has already transitioned many families from public assistance to 100% self sufficiency.

Jeffry Wilson

The current revitalization of the Jeffry Wilson community builds on the momentum created by the success of the Westbury neighborhood. Plans call for the transformation of the current 400 public housing units into a modern neighborhood combining 101 homeownership and 399 rental units, along with a multi-use sports complex. The new units will be located on three different sites.

In 2005, the Authority submitted a Hope VI Grant application and was awarded $20 million for the project and $2 million to be used for the Family-Self Sufficiency Program. Current residents will be offered three relocation options: another public housing unit, a Housing Choice Voucher, or Rental Assistance Payments to a Landlord for 35 months. The revitalization of the Jeffry Wilson area is another major step in improving the quality of life for all of Portsmouth’s residents. Please click here to view the Jeffry Wilson HOPE VI Newsletter.