Harrison School Apartments in Roanoke, VA

Pros

• The Harrison School Apartments have a significant history.
• It is historically significant as one of Roanoke's first Black public schools and later a museum for African American culture and art.
• The apartments are nice for older people and are income-based, making them accessible to seniors.
• The building was renovated into apartments, preserving its legacy while improving living spaces.
• The property serves both market-rate and subsidized residents, promoting inclusive housing.

Cons

• They claim that all Roanoke apartments discriminate and do not help residents, with housing allocated to those they prefer, and they say they have proof and records.
• Since Elmington took over, the place is terrible, with no reliable contact from management beyond odd text messages that disconnect, and a portal that provides no information for residents to pay rent; calls have gone unanswered.
• Management is described as unresponsive and absent from the property, with no improvement to the site despite the takeover and repeated attempts to contact going unanswered.
• Drug activity is alleged to have overrun the property, with doors left open and threatening visitors, and no action taken to address it.

Review

Harrison School Apartments in Roanoke is best suited for financially constrained seniors who prize a building with real historic character and are prepared to weather uneven management. The property’s appeal rests less on modern amenities and more on its lineage and affordability, including units that serve subsidized residents alongside market-rate apartments. For a senior who desires an affordable, purpose-built living option that nods to Roanoke’s African American heritage, this community can feel like a meaningful home. The key selling point is the balance of cultural value and cost savings, not turnkey service or premium conveniences.

However, those who require steady management, transparent communication, and reliable upkeep should consider viable alternatives. The current trajectory, marked by a change in property management and a pattern of radio-silent responsiveness, signals potential frustration for residents who depend on timely maintenance, clear rent processes, and on-site supervision. Prospective residents with needs for frequent in-person contact, clear safety protocols, or predictable appeals processes will likely find this setting lacking. Families seeking a uniformly high level of management professionalism and security may want to place other Roanoke options higher on the list.

On the plus side, the building’s significant history remains a tangible asset. Originally one of Roanoke’s early Black public schools under Lucy Addison, the site has been repurposed into a living space that preserves a sense of place and purpose. The architectural integrity and historic ambiance can offer residents a meaningful everyday environment that few contemporary senior complexes can match. The affordability angle is real: the property explicitly serves older adults on limited incomes, and the arrangement of market-rate and subsidized units creates a community that may feel economically diverse while remaining within reach for budget-conscious tenants.

Yet the concrete drawbacks are hard to ignore and risk outweighing the benefits for many potential occupants. Management stability is a primary concern, with reporting indicating Elmington Property Management has underperformed since taking over in late 2024. Communication has been unreliable, numerous attempts to reach the management team have gone unanswered, and residents report a lack of on-site presence and responsiveness. A rent portal that exists in theory has not proven functional in practice, complicating monthly payments and heightening frustration for tenants who depend on straightforward, dependable processes. When doors, corridors, and common areas show signs of neglect or are suspected of being left unsecured due to drug activity, the safety calculus changes, and not in a favorable way.

Disconcerting add-ons in the feedback include accusations of discriminatory practices around housing allocation and concerns that only certain applicants are favored. While such claims require careful verification, they cannot be dismissed in a decision-making framework, since perceived inequities erode trust and stability in a building that relies on resident confidence and predictable policy. The sentiment that “this used to be a good place to live” is not incidental; it signals a meaningful deterioration in perceived quality of life and signals that the main risk is not only physical safety but the overall reliability of the housing program. Taken together, these factors push toward a cautious recommendation.

When weighing the positives against the negatives, the pros offer modest leverage but do not fully counterbalance the cons. The historic status and affordability address the core needs of a niche buyer, someone who prioritizes cultural value and low cost over pristine management. However, the dominant con, miscommunication, weak on-site oversight, and safety concerns, substantially erodes day-to-day quality of life. For a senior who can navigate administrative friction, appreciates the building’s story, and can tolerate a less responsive management team, Harrison School Apartments can still be a viable option. For anyone who values consistency, safety, and a fully professional on-site experience, the balance clearly tilts toward alternatives.

Practical next steps for interested families are clear. First, verify the current management situation: who is handling property operations, what the response times are, and whether a reliable rent portal is in place. Seek direct feedback from multiple residents about day-to-day life, walk the common areas at different times of day, and ask about any recent safety improvements or ongoing concerns. Request a written plan from management detailing duties, maintenance response targets, and a concrete strategy for addressing drug activity and entry control. Finally, compare with other Roanoke options that offer stronger on-site staffing, transparent communication, and demonstrable safety measures. If the priority is a genuine affordable option with historical resonance and a willingness to tolerate administrative rough edges, Harrison School Apartments remains viable, but only for those prepared to actively navigate its current management realities. For anyone who cannot, alternatives are strongly recommended.