Lawson is pleased to announce that Richmond City Council has approved its proposal to develop Refuge, a new 180-unit affordable housing community on Snead Road in South Richmond.
Refuge, situated on ten acres, will feature thoughtfully designed one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments across six three-story buildings. The development prioritizes long-term affordability while delivering modern design, features, and amenities comparable to market-rate apartments.

The project’s intentional design preserves key environmental features, integrating a nature trail and boardwalk that allow residents to enjoy the site’s undisturbed green space. Residents will also have access to a range of high-quality amenities, including a clubhouse with a modern fitness center and business center, a swimming pool, a playground, and a dog park, creating a vibrant, connected, and community-focused living environment.

The Refuge project reflects a strong partnership with the city and a shared commitment to the safety and well-being of the community. Lawson is grateful for the City of Richmond’s support in constructing new sidewalks along Snead Road and will continue these improvements from the development site to J.L. Francis Elementary School. These enhancements will provide safe, convenient pedestrian access for residents and neighbors alike, demonstrating how thoughtful development can work together with community priorities.

The project will receive partial funding through the City of Richmond’s Affordable Housing Performance Grant Program, which supports developments that expand housing options for working families and residents with limited incomes.

“This approval means a lot to us,” said Austin Pittman, Lawson Director of Development. “We’re grateful to City Council and the local community for their trust, and we’re excited to expand our commitment to deliver much-needed, high-quality affordable housing to Richmond families.”

Lawson developed and currently manages two stabilized affordable multifamily communities in Richmond, with two more under construction. The company also has active affordable housing projects in development or under construction in Woodbridge and Roanoke, continuing its mission to build communities that positively impact people.

About Lawson:
At Lawson, we understand that what we do – and how we do it – affects the everyday lives of people we care about. We focus on positively impacting people, from team members and residents to investors and business partners. We manage and own approximately 5,000 apartment units and continue to grow with nearly 1,200 units under construction or in development. Our business model provides vertical integration of development, construction, property management and asset management services, which enables our team of experts to add value at every stage for our partners. When you act with integrity, focus on quality and work to find creative solutions, great things are possible. It’s how we’ve done business at Lawson for more than 50 years. For more information, please visit www.lawsoncompanies.com.