Who We Are

Lawson is a Virginia-based real estate firm focused on the development, construction, and long-term management of affordable and income-restricted apartment communities.

Since 1972, we have worked to create housing opportunities for individuals and families across Virginia. Our team brings deep expertise in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) communities, affordable housing, and market-rate developments, helping to deliver housing that is both high-quality and accessible.

Quick Facts

  • 50 plus years developing and managing quality multifamily housing in Virginia
  • Specialists in affordable housing, LIHTC, and market-rate apartment communities
  • Vertically integrated business across development, construction, property management, operations, and asset management
  • Mission driven business focused on building community through affordable housing

What Makes Lawson Different

Lawson operates as a fully vertically integrated firm, managing every stage of the housing lifecycle:

Development

Identifying opportunities and securing financing for affordable housing communities

Construction

Building high-quality, cost-efficient apartment homes

Property Management

Operating and maintaining communities for long-term success

This integrated approach allows us to deliver better outcomes for our residents, partners, and communities, by maintaining accountability and quality from concept through completion.


Our Focus: Affordable Housing in Virginia

Affordable housing is at the core of what we do.

Across Virginia, Lawson develops and manages communities designed for residents searching for quality low-income or income-restricted multifamily housing.

Through programs like LIHTC and public-private partnerships, we help expand the supply of modern affordable housing.

Our Impact

For more than five decades, Lawson has worked to build community through affordable housing.

Our impact includes:

  • Thousands of affordable apartment homes delivered across Virginia
  • Ongoing development of new income-restricted affordable apartment communities
  • Long-term ownership and management that ensures stability for residents
  • Partnerships with local governments, nonprofits, and other organizations that enhance quality of life for our residents

We believe housing is more than a place to live—it’s a foundation for opportunity.

Our core purpose is to have a positive impact on the lives of the people we serve – from our residents and team members to our investors and partners.
Steve Lawson
Chairman of the Board
Lawson Companies

Our Approach

Everything we do is guided by a simple idea: quality housing should be accessible to more people.

We focus on:

  • Thoughtful community design
  • Long-term affordability and compliance
  • Resident experience and services
  • Strong partnerships that make complex developments possible

By combining experience, integrity, and innovation, we continue to expand access to housing across the Commonwealth.

affordable housing Richmond VA front view

Looking Ahead

The need for affordable housing continues to grow, and Lawson is committed to being part of the solution.

With a strong pipeline of developments and a long-term ownership mindset, we are focused on delivering new communities that meet the evolving needs of Virginia’s residents—today and for decades to come.

What we’re excited about