As we kick off the second year of the Housing Leadership Institute, we’re excited to introduce one of our new cohort members: Jamari Green. With more than 12 years of experience in human services—and 6 of those at Piedmont Housing Alliance—Jamari is a seasoned and compassionate professional dedicated to improving the quality of life in diverse communities.
Currently serving as Resident Services Manager, Jamari brings a multidisciplinary background that includes crisis intervention, disability services, employment support, and financial coaching. Colleagues describe her as a visionary and empowering leader, known for leading with empathy and heart.
In just two years, Jamari has earned three promotions across three departments at Piedmont Housing Alliance. She reflects, “All by staying rooted in the work I genuinely love. It’s been a powerful reminder that passion, purpose, and consistency open doors.”
Read our Q&A with Jamari below to learn more about her work in affordable housing—and what she’s already gained from the Housing Leadership Institute so far.
Connect with Jamari: LinkedIn, jgreen@piedmonthousing.org
What is your current role, and what are your main responsibilities?
As a Resident Services Manager (RSM), my work centers on advancing resident well-being, stability, and empowerment across affordable housing communities. I serve as a direct bridge between residents and supportive services, addressing immediate needs while fostering long-term self-sufficiency and leadership development. Services include:
- Food Security & Basic Needs: I lead bi-monthly food distribution events to address food disparities within our communities. These distributions support households facing food insecurity and are often held in collaboration with local food banks and nonprofit partners.
- Youth Engagement: I coordinate and oversee youth development initiatives, including our Youth Ambassador Program. This program provides youth with leadership training, paid work experience, and opportunities to engage in community service projects.
- Community Partnerships & Referrals: I establish and maintain relationships with local organizations to connect residents to vital services—ranging from healthcare and legal support to employment coaching and financial assistance.
- Resident Leadership & Voice: I support resident-led spaces such as tenant associations, advisory committees, and rebranding initiatives to ensure that residents have a voice in shaping their communities.
- Education & Empowerment: I provide workshops and one-on-one support around financial literacy, resident rights, and pathways to homeownership—building knowledge that promotes autonomy and generational wealth.
Was there a particular moment or experience that inspired you to pursue a career in affordable housing?
My interest in joining Piedmont Housing Alliance stems from a deep commitment to advancing equity for underserved communities. I originally entered this work as a project manager for a guaranteed income incentive-based program, inspired by the program’s potential to provide immediate relief and dignity to mothers navigating systemic barriers. However, as I engaged more deeply, I began to identify programmatic gaps that limited long-term impact—such as the absence of financial coaching, a lack of intentional pathways toward wealth-building and generational sustainability, and the potential for participants to remain co-dependent on benefits without gaining economic autonomy.
These realizations did not deter my passion but rather redirected it. They inspired me to become a certified financial coach and later led me into the field of resident services management. I have since worked to address these very gaps—connecting individuals and families to coaching, employment pathways, and holistic support systems that foster independence and prosperity.
My goal is to ensure that guaranteed income programs do more than offer short-term aid—they should be springboards for transformation. I believe Piedmont Housing Alliance is poised to lead that charge, and I am excited about the opportunity to help shape its future.
How has the affordable housing landscape changed over the past few years?
Over the past five years, the affordable housing landscape has grown increasingly complex and challenging for low-income individuals and families. While housing remains a foundational need, the rising cost of living—paired with stagnant wages and limited access to supportive resources—has amplified financial instability. Many residents face a troubling dependency on benefits, but progression is often stifled by fear: fear of losing vital assistance, childcare subsidies, or healthcare coverage if income slightly increases. This “benefits cliff” creates a paralyzing cycle, discouraging advancement in employment or education.
Simultaneously, communities have experienced a noticeable decline in accessible resources and funding for wraparound services. Eviction rates and financial hardships have surged, while consumer debt—particularly rent arrears, utilities, and credit—has ballooned. The cost of essentials like childcare, groceries, and housing has outpaced earnings, making it harder for families to build or retain assets. Opportunities for homeownership or financial independence feel increasingly out of reach.
What’s more, there’s been a growing sentiment of fear and uncertainty within affordable housing communities—fear of displacement, of system failure, of losing what little stability exists. These challenges underscore the urgent need for holistic, equity-driven resident support that empowers rather than entraps.
What do you find most rewarding about your work in affordable housing?
What continues to bring me hope in this work is witnessing residents achieve goals they once thought were out of reach. Whether it’s a mother gaining stable employment, a youth ambassador stepping into leadership, or a family moving closer to homeownership, each milestone reminds me why this work matters.
Despite the systemic barriers, the fear, and the hardships residents face, their resilience and determination inspire me daily. Creating access to opportunity—through food security, financial coaching, youth programs, or community partnerships—and seeing that access translate into real progress is deeply fulfilling. It’s in those moments of growth, confidence, and success that I see the true impact of Resident Services. This is what the work is all about: helping people not only meet their goals, but exceed their own expectations and begin to believe in what’s possible.
Do you have any hobbies or interests that help you unwind and stay balanced?
While this work is deeply rewarding, it also requires intentional balance. To unwind and recharge, I enjoy working out, baking sweet treats for my kids, and indulging in brain-rot reality TV with my husband every Sunday and Monday night. These small routines help me stay grounded and show up fully—both for my family and for the communities I serve.
What are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned through HLI?
A valuable lesson I’ve taken away from my time with HLI is the importance of investing in myself with the same energy and care I pour into others. For so long, I centered the needs of my work, my community, and my family—often leaving my own dreams on hold. But I’ve come to understand that I, too, am worthy of growth, healing, and the pursuit of joy. I’ve learned to acknowledge the hardships I’ve faced—many beyond my control—without allowing them to define me. Working in middle management, especially in the resident services space, can be emotionally taxing and often invisible. But through this journey, I’ve begun to release the weight of feeling small or unseen.
I feel a shift within myself—one that signals I am reclaiming my life, my voice, and my worth. HLI has not only reaffirmed my passion for service but has also reminded me that my story, my peace, and my dreams matter just as much as the people I serve.
About the Housing Leadership Institute
The Housing Leadership Institute (HLI) is a 10-month intensive and targeted program created and implemented by the Virginia Housing Alliance. The Alliance and its partners designed the program to leverage training, coaching, and peer support. Each year we help 15 mid-career housing professionals foster and grow leadership skills. Through the program, participants create a career development plan to catalyze their leadership trajectory.
The program consists of 7 virtual sessions, 3 in-person retreats across the Commonwealth, 5 one-on-one coaching sessions, readings and reflections to supplement each session, and additional networking and professional development opportunities.
Learn more about HLI or contact Arley Bell at abell@vahousingalliance.org.