AmeriCorps VISTA recruitment is currently open for the 2026-2027 service year, which is slated to begin on August 10th, 2026. Read on to discover more about VHA’s AmeriCorps VISTA program and to explore our open service positions! 

What is AmeriCorps VISTA?

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national service program dedicated to alleviating poverty by strengthening organizations, expanding opportunity, and building sustainable community solutions. A VISTA’s work often takes the form of developing new programs, grant writing, community outreach, data collection, research, evaluation, communications or marketing, and much more. Rather than providing direct community service alone, VISTA members work behind the scenes to build capacity – creating systems, partnerships, and resources that continue benefiting communities long after their service term ends. 

Overview: VHA’s VISTA Program

The Virginia Housing Alliance (VHA) AmeriCorps VISTA project places members with a statewide network of host organizations working to strengthen homeless response systems and expand access to affordable housing across Virginia. Each VISTA member serves at one of VHA’s 18 host sites, providing capacity-building support that helps organizations operate more effectively and reach more community members facing housing insecurity.

Through their service, VISTA members develop tools and infrastructure that strengthen organizational operations and long-term impact. Projects may include building data tracking systems, creating resource databases, enhancing communications strategies, and developing guides, policies, and workflows that remain in use long after the VISTA has moved on to their next career endeavor. 

In a recent six-month period alone, VHA VISTA members developed more than 120 organizational resources, launched over 100 housing-focused communications initiatives, and supported multiple funding proposals that brought new resources into communities across the Commonwealth. During their term, members also gain hands-on professional experience and build career-ready skills while contributing to coordinated statewide efforts to address housing insecurity. This investment extends well beyond the service year: since 2014, more than 60% of VHA VISTA members have

transitioned into full-time positions with their host site or a partner organization. Our AmeriCorps VISTA program serves as a catalyst for launching careers in affordable housing, homeless services, or community development.

VISTA Service Benefits

AmeriCorps Program Benefits

• VISTAs receive a bi-weekly modest living allowance that places them at the economic level of the residents where they serve ($957 or $1,072 biweekly, depending on the locality)
• A $7,395 end-of-service education award or $1,800 cash benefit after completing their term
• Health coverage (and may be eligible for child care and relocation assistance)
• 80 hours of sick leave and 80 hours of vacation
• Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) status upon completion of the VISTA service. NCE allows U.S. federal government agencies to hire eligible program alumni outside of the formal competitive job announcement process and allows eligible program alumni to compete for certain jobs that are only open to current federal employees.
• Discounted tuition, books, and other perks, such as the Education Award match through the Schools of National Service program

VHA Program Benefits

• 3-Day VISTA Orientation focused on housing/homelessness best practices
• Three Quarterly in-person trainings in Richmond, led by an accredited facilitator and sponsored (hotel, travel, and per diem) by VHA – topics include Human-Centered Design, career mapping, networking, and much more
• A year-long Coursera subscription, which is an online learning platform where the VISTAs will have access to accredited courses and certifications by Google, IBM, and Ivy League schools
• Skills-based training opportunities (Microsoft Excel, nonprofit marketing, grant writing, trauma-informed care) to boost your resume
• Resume writing workshops and access to a career coach
• Monthly professional development conference calls with the VISTA cohort
• Free attendance to VHA’s statewide housing-focused conferences
• Sponsorship opportunities to attend various summits and conferences
• 90-day site visits (conducted by VHA’s VISTA Program Manager) and ongoing, dedicated support throughout the VISTA service term
• Opportunities to meet and network with nonprofit professionals and leaders across Virginia

Find Your Fit: Explore Roles by Skills & Career Interests

Aspiring Communications & Outreach Professionals

Best for applicants interested in storytelling, public engagement, marketing, education, and advocacy.

• Communication & Outreach Specialist VISTA – Virginia Housing Alliance (Richmond, VA)
• Development & Operations VISTA – Housing Alexandria (Alexandria, VA)
• Communications & Development VISTA – Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation (Richmond, VA)
• Housing Systems Specialist VISTA – Urban Hope (Richmond, VA)

Future Community Engagement & Nonprofit Leaders

Ideal for relationship-builders interested in community organizing, partnerships, and program coordination.

• Community Engagement Specialist VISTA – Rebuilding Together Richmond (Richmond, VA)
• Landlord Engagement VISTA – Town of Blacksburg Housing & Community Connections (Blacksburg, VA)
• Resident Services VISTA – Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC Inc.) (Arlington, VA)
• Regional Affordable Housing VISTA – Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (Charlottesville, VA)
• Stability & Economic Success Strategist VISTA – Housing Families First (Henrico, VA)

Data, Research & Program Evaluation Careers

Great for applicants interested in analytics, systems improvement, research, and measuring impact.

• Program Development & Communications VISTA – Virginia Community Development Corporation (VCDC) (Richmond, VA)
• Data Analyst VISTA – True Ground Housing Partners (Arlington, VA)
• Economic Opportunity Specialist VISTA – Charlottesville Redevelopment & Housing Authority (Charlottesville, VA)
• Communication & Outreach Specialist VISTA – Virginia Housing Alliance (Richmond, VA)

Housing, Homelessness, & Community Development Professionals

Ideal for those exploring careers in affordable housing, planning, development, or real estate.

• Real Estate Specialist VISTA – Virginia Episcopal Real Estate Partners (VEREP) (Richmond, VA)
• Housing Specialist VISTA – Danville Neighborhood Development Corporation (DNDC) (Danville, VA)
• Shelter Expansion VISTA – New River Community Action (Blacksburg, VA)
• Stability & Economic Success Strategist VISTA – Housing Families First (Henrico, VA)
• Resource Development Lead VISTA – Habitat for Humanity of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)

Fundraising, Development & Grant Writing Professionals

Strong fit for applicants interested in nonprofit sustainability, grant writing, and resource development.

• Communications & Development VISTA – Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation (Richmond, VA)
• Housing Specialist VISTA – Danville Neighborhood Development Corporation (DNDC) (Danville, VA)
• Real Estate Specialist VISTA – Virginia Episcopal Real Estate Partners (VEREP) (Richmond, VA)
• Development & Operations VISTA – Housing Alexandria (Alexandria, VA)
• Housing Systems Specialist VISTA – Urban Hope (Richmond, VA)

The Value of a VISTA Year – from a VHA VISTA Alumni

“I can say that, without a doubt, the VHA VISTA program has given me career opportunities that I would not have been prepared or qualified for otherwise. I became a VISTA to gain knowledge and experience in the affordable housing industry…I was not expecting the wide array of projects and learning opportunities I would be immediately involved with.” – Julia MacNelly (VHA VISTA Alumni)

Ready to Take the Next Step?

To learn more about VHA’s AmeriCorps VISTA program (or to see the complete details for our service openings), be sure to check out the 2026-2027 VHA VISTA Open Listings Document. 

If you have any questions about VHA’s VISTA program, please reach out to Hannah Moore, VISTA Program Manager, at hmoore@vahousingalliance.org.