October 2026 Member Spotlight – Locus - Virginia Housing Alliance

October 2026 Member Spotlight – Locus

For the month of October, VHA is delighted to showcase Locus for our Member Spotlight. As a community development financial institution (CDFI), they provide organizations and communities nationwide with the finances they need to achieve their goals.

Recently, Locus partnered with organizations like VHA to create the Virginia Affordable Housing Preservation Dashboard. This resource maps Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties across the state, highlighting when their affordability restrictions will expire. It will be an invaluable tool in helping communities prepare for how the landscape of housing affordability will change in the years to come.

We recently spoke with staff at Locus to dive deeper into their organization– read more below!

Q: How would you describe your organization’s mission, in a nutshell?

We create pathways to capital that help communities access partnerships and financing they need to solve local challenges and create more opportunity.

Q: Are there any upcoming events or projects you’d like to share with VHA’s community?

Locus is co-leading a statewide affordable housing preservation coalition with the Virginia Housing Alliance, HDAdvisors, and HousingForward Virginia. By bringing together stakeholders from across Virginia’s housing ecosystem the coalition is developing financial tools, data-informed policy solutions, and strategies that prevent displacement and preserve existing affordable homes. Locus specific role is to design financing tools that provide mission-aligned developers with timely capital access to acquire and protect at-risk properties. With 20 years of experience financing affordable housing and community development projects, Locus is well positioned to design and capitalize these tools and help keep homes affordable to Virginia residents for the long term.

Q: What do you believe to be the most rewarding aspect of the work done at Locus?

The most rewarding part of our work is seeing community-led ideas becoming lasting solutions. Our placed based investment strategy begins with the strengths, knowledge, and priorities already present in each community where we work. We seek to bring resources that add to local capacity and help communities advance their own vision. It’s incredibly rewarding to help connect capital with local leaders and organizations that are creating lasting impact in the places they serve.

Q: How has being a VHA member served to expand your knowledge surrounding any legislative initiatives in affordable housing/homelessness services?

VHA has been an invaluable resource for keeping our team informed about legislative and policy developments affecting affordable housing in Virginia. Its policy updates, advocacy efforts, and member network have deepened our understanding of how state policy can support both housing production and preservation. For example, discussions around HB 4 and its framework for helping localities to preserve affordable housing through a right of first refusal mechanism, have reinforced the importance of proactive preservation strategies. Our VHA membership has also provided valuable connections with advocates, developers, housing providers, and policymakers which increases our understand how these issues affect different communities and housing markets.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your organization’s work?

As Locus celebrates its 20th anniversary, we remain committed to our mission of connecting communities with the capital they need to address local priorities. That includes deepening our work around affordable housing preservation and support of mission-driven rural housing developers. Partnering with stakeholders like Virginia Housing Alliance enhances our ability to develop practical financing solutions that help communities advance their own vision and create opportunities in the places they call home.

Access the Virginia Affordable Housing Preservation Dashboard today!