GWRC Affordable Housing Liaison AmeriCorps VISTA Member - Fredericksburg, VA

AmeriCorps VISTA

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 George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) located in Fredericksburg, VA.

GWRC Affordable Housing Liaison at George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) 

GWRC is responsible for encouraging and facilitating local government cooperation in addressing, on a regional basis, problems of greater than local significance, and provides a broad array of planning and support services for the benefit of the nearly 400,000 residents. In 2020, the George Washington Regional Commission partnered with Housing Virginia to complete a Housing Affordability Study and action Plan, which found that one in two renters in the region are cost-burdened, meaning that they spend over 30% of their gross household income on housing costs. GWRC is looking for a detail-oriented individual to serve as the Affordable Housing Liaison VISTA to help develop a regional affordable housing planning program. The VISTA will formalize a regional affordable housing approach by hosting stakeholder engagement sessions, developing regional affordable housing action items, and preparing the region for securing the resources necessary to add additional units to the region’s currently limited affordable housing stock.

Member Duties: The VISTA member will act as a liaison between the Commission, the localities, and community partners to improve consensus and collaboration around affordable housing efforts while evaluating current affordable housing efforts and determining areas for improvement. The VISTA will identify funding opportunities such as the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and partnerships with for-profit housing development entities and engage stakeholders to locate key partners needed to push forward affordable housing projects. They will develop measurable outcomes for tracking the region’s affordable housing efforts, compile housing reports for funders and localities, and gather and analyze data from tracking tools to help inform decision making regarding future efforts and programmatic improvements.

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

Living Allowance: The VISTA member receives a $877 bi-weekly living allowance. 

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.