The Virginia Housing Alliance (VHA) is thrilled to welcome seven new VISTA host sites for the 2026–2027 term! These organizations – Habitat for Humanity of Virginia, Virginia Episcopal Real Estate Partners (VEREP), Urban Hope, the Town of Blacksburg – Housing and Community Connections (HCC), New River Community Action (NRCA), VCDC Virginia Community Lending (VCDC-CL), and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) – will each host a VISTA member dedicated to addressing housing insecurity challenges across the state. Several of these sites, including VEREP, Urban Hope, Blacksburg HCC, NRCA, and VCDC-CL, are joining the VHA VISTA program for the first time, bringing fresh perspectives, expertise, and energy to the mission.

Each VISTA member will support their host site’s efforts to expand affordable housing, strengthen organizational systems, and build partnerships. For example, the New River Community Action VISTA will assess regional shelter needs and create tools to enhance collaboration among service providers, while the Urban Hope VISTA will standardize operational processes and develop resident education resources to improve housing stability. Other VISTA members will focus on initiatives such as developing affordable housing toolkits, expanding permanent supportive housing, and improving communications and data systems to increase efficiency and impact.

By hosting VISTA members, these sites will enhance their capacity to serve unhoused and housing-insecure individuals and families while providing meaningful professional development opportunities. From strengthening housing programs to improving operational and data systems, these host sites exemplify the impact and reach of Virginia’s housing sector. VHA congratulates our new partners and looks forward to a successful year of collaboration, service, and advancing housing stability throughout the Commonwealth.