An historically Black neighborhood located on the western edge of the town of Middleburg in Loudoun County, Virginia, Windy Hill Road in 1981 was home to fifteen families living in stark conditions – some homes still had dirt floors, and six outhouses and two cold-water spigots were shared among the households.

Irene “Rene” Llewellyn, a British-born music teacher who had made Middleburg her home, first learned of these conditions while dropping off one of her students. She immediately contacted local community leader Edna Washington and, together, they formed the Windy Hill Foundation Charter Board.

With the blessing of residents and community leaders, and an initial donation of $100,000 from her bridge club, Rene organized to purchase the Windy Hill properties and, over the next decade, leveraged funds from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to pay for extensive renovations, including the installation of water and sewer lines.

By its 25th anniversary, the Foundation had 47 units in Middleburg. Recognizing a wider need, Windy Hill subsequently partnered with the Virginia Housing Development Authority (now Virginia Housing) and, over the next ten years, leveraged low-income tax credits to expand its portfolio to 186 affordable housing units across Loudoun and Fauquier Counties.

Today, Windy Hill provides housing for more than 800 residents in 310 units, accounting for 12% of overall housing in Middleburg, Marshall, and The Plains. In addition, the Foundation offers free programs, including after school academic support for children, enrichment activities for families, social activities for adults and seniors, and financial and employment guidance.