Our Impact Around Charlottesville

The CAAR Foundation raises funds to invest in innovative and effective affordable housing solutions.

Three people sitting at a table looking at paperwork

  • In November 2025, the CAAR foundation presented a $32,550 check to Piedmont Community Land Trust (PCLT) from proceeds of our Sept. 4, 2025 benefit concert. These funds will support a new collaboration that the CAAR Foundation brokered between Greenwood Homes, PCLT, Riverbend Development, Housing Virginia and other partners to make new homes affordable to moderate-income homebuyers. Specifically, the Foundation’s donation will assist with closing costs for 8 families at Victorian Heights in Albemarle County, whose homes are appraised at $400,000 but are being purchased for $260,000-275,000 thanks to this collaboration.

  • In May 2025, the CAAR Foundation contributed $5,000 to Piedmont Housing Alliance in conjunction with its 40th anniversary of meeting the housing needs of the Charlottesville region.

  • In December 2024, the CAAR Foundation presented a $10,000 check to Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AHIP) to provide no-cost critical home repairs for veterans and other community members in need. This gift has made a meaningful impact, helping ensure that local residents can remain safe, warm, and stable in their homes. See the resulting news coverage here and here.

The CAAR Foundation seeks volunteers to get involved in affordable housing initiatives in our area.  

A CAAR member using a power tool to hinge a door to the opening

  • Our first volunteer program, launched on November 6, 2025, is called "Homeownership Navigators." Homeownership Navigators are trained REALTOR® mentors who will work with aspiring first-time homebuyers to help prepare them for the homebuying process. For more information, or to apply, see http://tinyurl.com/HomeownershipNavigators.

The CAAR Foundation works to make information about affordable housing needs, resources and opportunities easily accessible and widely available.

A photo of a balance beam with block letters spelling out Fair on one side and on the other a wooden toy house

  • The CAAR Foundation collaborated with Charlottesville Tomorrow to develop a new online Housing Resources Guide, which went public in early 2025. This user-friendly repository of information about local affordable housing programs and opportunities makes it as easy as possible for area residents to find the help they need. 

  • The CAAR Foundation has hosted a series of information sessions for REALTORS® and affiliates on affordable housing topics. Please check out our Events page for information on upcoming sessions.

The CAAR Foundation advocates for good public policy that increases the supply of affordable housing in our region.

A CAAR member speaking into a microphone in front of a podium

  • The CAAR Foundation has joined the Commonwealth Housing Coalition, a pro-housing coalition of organizations from across Virginia, all working together to advance common-sense, bipartisan legislation in the General Assembly that ensures all Virginians have access to an affordable home.

  • The CAAR Foundation has been appointed to the Central Virginia Regional Housing Partnership and the Charlottesville Area Alliance, giving the REALTOR® community a literal seat at the table in shaping discussions around hosing policy in our area.

  • The CAAR Foundation has endorsed the creation of a $10 million Affordable Housing Trust Fund in Albemarle County's annual budget. See the resulting letter here.