Lynchburg Housing Authority Outreach and Outcomes AmeriCorps VISTA Member

AmeriCorps VISTA Program

AmeriCorps VISTA was founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 as a national service program designed specifically to fight poverty in America. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs under the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). AmeriCorps VISTA Members make a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. They focus their efforts to build the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster economic development, and otherwise assist low-income communities.

Virginia Housing Alliance VISTA Project

Virginia Housing Alliance’s (VHA) AmeriCorps VISTA project is a statewide intermediary project with 17 Host Sites, all that either work to expand affordable housing opportunities and/or end homelessness throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. VHA’s VISTA project aims to develop viable communities by promoting integrated approaches that provide decent housing, suitable living environments, and expansive economic opportunities for low and moderate-income persons. This listing is to fill the Host Site opening at the Lynchburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority (LRHA) in Lynchburg, VA. 

Lynchburg Housing Authority Outreach & Outcomes VISTA, Lynchburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority (LRHA)

The Lynchburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority (LRHA) mission is to maximize housing opportunities by being a leader in community redevelopment, by revitalizing neighborhoods, and by promoting economic growth and development through collaborating with organizations and the greater community to achieve clean, comfortable, attractive, affordable housing maintained in a manner that fosters pride and dignity. LRHA is looking for a driven and organized individual to serve as the Outreach and Outcomes VISTA. They will create a communications strategy to increase affordable housing awareness in the region while also improving public housing outcomes by developing needs assessment surveys, aggregating the received data, and researching partnerships, programs, and services to address the findings. 

Member Duties: The VISTA member will create an awareness campaign and marketing kit that LRHA will use to increase awareness around affordable housing opportunities for individuals and their families. They will develop materials that will be presented to city officials, landlords, contractors, business owners and others during meetings or community events on the benefits of affordable housing. The VISTA will also design and implement a needs assessment survey to identify service gaps for residents of LRHA’s public housing. They will utilize this data to identify funding opportunities, cultivate community partnerships to help fulfill areas of need, and research potential solutions based on current programs in place across Virginia or nationwide. In addition, the VISTA will develop equitable procedures and policies for LRHA’s volunteer program while also implementing ways to increase volunteer participation and retention.

Living Allowance: The LRHA VISTA will receive a $877 bi-weekly living allowance.

Program Benefits: Childcare assistance if eligible; choice of $7,395 end-of-service education or $1,800 cash benefit after completing their term; health coverage; living allowance; relocation allowance; training; Professional Development opportunities;

Terms: Car recommended

Minimum age: 18

Desired education level: Associates degree (AA)

Skills: Communications; research and analysis; computers/technology; writing/editing; community services; urban planning; team work

Position Contact Info

Please contact the VHA VISTA Program Manager, Hannah Moore, at hmoore@vahousingalliance.org or at 910-258-2420 with any questions. Openings will be filled on a rolling basis so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications must be submitted through the AmeriCorps portal. This process includes: Application and 2 references.