Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority: A Strategic Planning Case Study
In 2023, The Spark Mill was hired to guide Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority in the development of its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. Chesapeake RHA, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is an organization committed to achieving excellence in providing affordable quality housing, revitalizing communities, and promoting upward mobility and self-sufficiency through alliances with public & private sector groups. In an effort to target more tangible outcomes through their mission and bring an already existing community closer together, a strategic planning project was set in motion to build a roadmap designed to align the organization’s actions with its goals. Chesapeake RHA would spearhead efforts to provide quality housing for low-income individuals and families, strengthen relationships with residents to improve life in their communities, encourage community members and leaders to support affordable housing in Chesapeake, and lead in maintaining affordable housing for both current and future residents.
In December, we caught up with Chesapeake RHA’s Director of Community Development, Nellie Sanchez, just as the organization finished out its first year of their strategic plan. Nellie reflected on working with The Spark Mill as a dynamic partnership with an approach that not only invigorated the team but also engaged their board in meaningful ways. She highlighted the retreats, which provided a collaborative atmosphere and momentum to the start of the process through facilitating open conversations and idea generation. This involvement created a sense of ownership amongst the staff and board members to this process, which would prove crucial in the plan's execution.
Not only would the awareness of internal collaboration amongst the organization strengthen the implementation of their strategic plan, but the act of folding in the strategic work into their everyday work, as well. With now establishing regular meetings every six months to review progress and adapt as needed, Nellie mentioned these efforts have only helped further align the agency’s day-to-day operations and objectives. One of the most impactful outcomes of the project was the creation of a one-page overview of the strategic plan. While the full findings, reports, and plan from the project is accessible to the team, this concise summary has been instrumental in engaging both current and new staff members and ensuring clarity across the organization.
Of all the lessons learned through this process, Nellie emphasized the importance of flexibility and adaptability in strategic planning. The involvement of diverse stakeholders, including staff, board members, and community partners, highlighted the challenges of balancing different expectations and levels of engagement. However, Nellie recalled the ability of The Spark Mill to adapt their approach to fit Chesapeake RHA's unique needs which allowed for a seamless integration of the strategic plan into the organization’s culture.
By focusing on both short-term goals and long-term objectives, such as the revitalization of its communities and even attracting younger professionals to the housing industry, the project was able to create an atmosphere of forward-thinking and innovation. This was particularly evident in their efforts to create a Landlord Toolkit, which earned recognition at the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference for its innovative approach to improving housing practices.
Through this strategic planning process, Chesapeake RHA not only refined its internal operations but also enhanced its external relationships. The increased involvement of previously quiet partners was one of the unexpected but rewarding outcomes, reflecting the renewed commitment to collaboration within the community. This strengthened network will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the agency's ability to drive future success. Reflecting on the process, Nellie shared that the experience has restored the agency's sense of purpose and has set the stage for continued growth, community building, and stronger public-private partnerships. The strategic plan is now seen as a living document that will guide Chesapeake RHA's evolution for the years to come.
