Our History
Rush Homes was born of a mother’s love for her child.
Mabel Rush wanted the best for her son, Jimmy, and sought to find a way to provide housing for people with developmental disabilities who did not fare well in institutional settings. Mabel, along with disability advocates and a group of parents, like her, of adult children with disabilities, formed The Mabel Rush Housing Foundation for people like their children who needed a better place to live.
Realizing an unmet need for accessible homes for families with mobility impairments, our vision grew to include affordable and accessible homes for every disability. Our history reflects our pursuit of better community so that everyone, regardless of disability or income, can live to their greatest potential.
1996
The Mabel Rush Housing Foundation purchases the first Rush Home, Jimmy’s house.
1998
The Mabel Rush Housing foundation hires Victoria Hanson as the first Executive Director.
1999
Our name changes from Mable Rush Housing Foundation to Rush Lifetime Homes, Inc.
2001
We build our second home in partnership with Lynchburg City Schools. Heritage High School’s building trades classes construct the modular home.
2002
We receive our largest grant to date of $400,000 from HUD to initiate the Supportive Housing Program for people with disabilities who are homeless, the first of its kind in Central Virginia. Allison Wingfield becomes Executive Director.
2003
We build two duplexes on Seminole Drive in Madison Heights, bringing our total to seven homes.
2004
Homes on Harrison Street, Lansing Avenue, and Taylor Street are renovated as part of the Supportive Housing Program.
2005
We purchase and renovate a home on Wards Ferry Road and move our offices to 1022 Commerce Street, Lynchburg.
2006
As we grow, we expand our fundraising and volunteer programs to help better meet our mission.
2008
We purchase and renovate a large four-plex on Mays Street in Madison Heights and a home on Wildwood Drive creating four apartments (two fully accessible) and a partially accessible single family home.
2009
We are awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits for the first time and begin our largest project to date, Victoria Ridge, 28 fully accessible apartments.
2010
As part of Rush Homes’ participation in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Rush Homes purchases and renovates a duplex on Ruffner Street. We break ground for Victoria Ridge.
2011
We complete construction of and lease-up Victoria Ridge. Rush Homes now serves tenant families in 43 homes.
2012
The renovation of the historic Armstrong Elementary School and our second Low Income Tax Credit Development, begins. Armstrong Place has 28 fully accessible apartments and is recognized as a Historic Landmark because of its role as an equalization school in the civil rights era.
2013
We break ground for Armstrong Place!
2014
Plans are underway for Old Forest Village. Jeff Smith becomes Executive Director.
2015
With the renovation and lease-up of Armstrong Place complete, we now serve tenant families in 71 homes. We move our offices to 1721 Monsview Place.
2016
Old Forest Village receives Low Income Housing Tax Credits that lead to the development of 28 fully accessible and affordable apartments. We start our Residential Support Program.
2017
Old Forest Village construction begins.
2018
Despite record breaking rainfall, Old Forest Village opens in December. This brings us to a total of 99 homes! Our waiting list stands at over 500; we begin to search for more sites to provide more housing.
2019
Needing to grow, we enter into a strategic planning process and continue to plan future housing.
2020
Work begins on funding a new 31 unit development on Florida Avenue. The existing house on the property brings our total number of units to 100.
2021
Rush Homes celebrates our 25th Anniversary (in the midst of a global pandemic)!
2022
Rush Homes breaks ground on Florida Terrace, expected to lease up mid-2023.
2023
Long-time executive director, Jeff Smith, retires. Tracey Ballagh is named new executive director.
2024
Florida Terrace opens, bringing our total number of homes to 130. Our staff size has grown to include a 2nd property manager!