Coastal Multifamily Housing Council (CMHC)
Because CVBIA membership is so diverse, it helps members connect with targeted business opportunities through special councils like the Coastal Multifamily Housing Council (CMHC). CVBIA's multifamily housing council was established in the late 1970s to serve a segment of the membership involved in building and managing apartment communities.
Today, CMHC continues to thrive and prides itself on providing important education to apartment community staff - from maintenance employees to upper management. Its activities are supported by an engaged group of associate members who provide products and services to the multifamily industry.
CMHC OWNER/MANAGER MEMBERSHIP
Owner/manager members belong to CMHC for various reasons, including educational programs for their employees, idea-sharing with fellow owner/managers, legislative support etc. Many of these members are also involved with building and development, and they recognize the need to support the trade association that works on their behalf.
CMHC annual dues for owner/manager members are $1.25 per rental unit for each multifamily or single-family housing unit owned and/or managed in the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg and the counties of Accomack, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Northampton, Southampton and York (a minimum of $75; maximum of $3,000 will be charged annually. Unlike your CVBIA member dues which are renewed in the month you join, council dues are invoiced in January.
Each owner/manager member is entitled to up to three representatives on the CMHC Executive Committee. This committee meets monthly (except in August and December) via Zoom.
CMHC ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
If you're an associate member of CVBIA, and you currently do business with property managers or would like to expand your business to this segment of our membership, you're invited to join CMHC. The cost to belong to this "niche" group is minimal -- just $75 a year -- but the payback can be huge in terms of additional networking opportunities and valuable contacts with property managers, apartment communities and like-minded associate members.
To join the council or for more information, contact Teresa Howell at thowell@cvbia.com.
Council Programs
The Coastal Multifamily Housing Council (CMHC) offers council members a variety of educational programs and events.
The CMHC Education & Events Committee is open to any interested CMHC member. We meet every other month to discuss ideas and plan programs to offer council members throughout the year.
Here’s what’s on tap for 2026. All dates are tentative and subject to change.
CMHC Educational Opportunities (additional fees apply)
- March 26 - Fair Housing webinar with AJ Johnson, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- April 28 - VRLTA webinar with AJ Johnson, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- October 6 - Fair Housing webinar with AJ Johnson, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
CMHC Events (additional fees apply)
- July 16 - Awards of Excellence Celebration, 5:30 p.m., The Founders Inn, Virginia Beach
- September 18 - Picnic, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Khedive Temple, Chesapeake
For additional information on any of these programs, contact Teresa Howell at 757-305-9062 or thowell@cvbia.com
Sponsorship opportunities are available for all events. Contact Teresa if interested.
2026 Awards of Excellence Celebration
CMHC's annual Awards of Excellence Celebration is truly the "Academy Awards" event for multifamily housing professionals.
In the weeks leading up to the event, judges score apartment communities throughout the area, selecting gold, silver and bronze winners in a variety of Awards of Excellence categories. Staff professionals also compete for honors in the Merit Award Competition.
In 2026, CMHC's Awards of Excellence is celebrating its 41st year! Join us as we celebrate "Stars of the Evening" on July 16 at The Founders Inn in Virginia Beach. Festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, followed by dinner and the program at 6:30 p.m.
2026 CMHC Awards of Excellence Categories
COMMUNITIES
Affordable Housing communities
Active Adult communities completed 2000 and before
Active Adult communities completed as of 2001 and later
Communities completed 1940 - 1960
Communities completed 1961 - 1972
Communities completed 1973 - 1979
Communities completed 1980 - 1989
Communities completed 1990 - 2005
Communities completed 2006 - 2017
Communities completed 2018 - Later
RESIDENTS’ CHOICE
PLATINUM AWARDS
Best Model:
Best Maintenance Shop:
Best Amenities Package:
Best Curb Appeal:
MERIT AWARDS
Maintenance Employee of the Year
Maintenance Supervisor of the Year
Leasing Consultant of the Year
Property Manager of the Year
Regional Property Manager of the Year
Above & Beyond Award
Multifamily Executive of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
2026 CMHC ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR
CMHC Owner/Managers
The Coastal Multifamily Housing Council (CMHC) is a subgroup of CVBIA that provides educational and networking opportunities to those members involved in apartment development and management. In addition to CVBIA dues, owner/manager members pay council dues of $1.25 per apartment unit managed. Council dues are capped at $3,000, with a minimum of $75.
CMHC Associates
CVBIA associate members that do business with the multifamily community can join CMHC for an additional $75 a year.
Membership in this council provides great opportunities for networking and supporting the companies that own and manage apartment communities throughout Southeastern Virginia.