Allen Iverson’s Affordable Housing Project in Newport News Advances

Iverson Landing marks a significant step forward in addressing the growing need for affordable housing. Spearheaded by NBA legend and Hampton Roads native Allen Iverson alongside developer Alvin Keels Jr., the newly approved project aims to provide modern housing for working families while reinvesting in a community Iverson has long called home.

Located in Newport News, close to Fort Eustis, Iverson Landing will feature 120 apartment units spread across four three-story residential buildings. The development is designed to blend functionality, affordability, and community-oriented living, offering residents modern amenities, landscaped outdoor spaces, and a clubhouse intended to foster connection among tenants.

The project’s mission is rooted in addressing housing shortages across the Hampton Roads area, where rising costs and limited inventory have made it increasingly difficult for working families to secure stable housing. Iverson Landing is intended to serve residents who are often priced out of new developments despite being essential to the region’s workforce.

“This project is about more than buildings,” Iverson has said publicly through project partners. “It’s about giving families a place they’re proud to call home.”

While the development recently received final approval from Newport News officials, the path forward was not without challenges. Iverson Landing was initially rejected during an earlier review in February 2025, with concerns raised by city leaders and residents regarding traffic flow and potential car accidents. Rather than abandoning the effort, Iverson and Keels reworked the proposal, engaging with community members and city planners to address the concerns directly.

Revisions to the plan included traffic mitigation measures such as road widening and the addition of turn lanes along Old Fort Eustis Boulevard, improvements designed to ease congestion and ensure safer access to the development.

That collaborative approach ultimately paid off. After months of revisions and dialogue, the Newport News Planning Commission approved the updated proposal, signaling confidence in the project’s ability to meet both community needs and city standards.

For many residents, Iverson Landing represents more than just another apartment complex. The project carries symbolic weight as a hometown reinvestment effort led by one of the area’s most recognizable figures. Iverson, who grew up in Hampton Roads and rose to national prominence through basketball, has frequently spoken about the importance of giving back to the community that shaped him.

Community leaders have also emphasized the broader significance of the project. Newport News continues to face pressure to expand its housing options, particularly developments that serve a diverse range of income levels. Iverson Landing aligns with the city’s long-term goals of promoting housing stability, economic mobility, and neighborhood revitalization.