VHA is proud to introduce our VISTA spotlight for April, Lily Hoit, serving as the Resident Services VISTA at Affordable Homes and Communities in Arlington, VA.
About Lily:
Having recently graduated from the University of Miami, Lily Hoit’s commitment to community service drives her to focus on capacity-building activities that address social determinants of health. Lily brings with her a blend of compassion, strong interpersonal skills, and experience with data management.
Current project:
Lily has played a key role in supporting Affordable Homes & Communities’ (AHC) efforts to earn and maintain its Certified Organization for Resident Engagement & Services (CORES) certification. Awarded by Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF), CORES recognizes organizations committed to high-quality resident services in affordable housing. This certification sets AHC apart by highlighting its comprehensive approach—not just providing homes, but also delivering vital services for families, adults, children, and seniors.
As part of these efforts, Lily has helped design and oversee AHC’s CORES certification process, establishing protocols for the resident services team. She has conducted community scans for 15 properties, organized property service plans, and assisted in focus groups to align with CORES standards. Additionally, she has updated resident services feedback surveys to ensure compliance, translating them into multiple languages to improve accessibility. She also created multilingual flyers and collaborated with Resident Engagement Specialists on outreach efforts.
Lily has further supported AHC’s CORES certification by organizing essential documentation to ensure compliance and long-term sustainability. She developed key policies and procedural documents, including the CORES Community Scan and Focus Group guides, which are now used by the resident services department in training and serve as templates for future policies. Drawing from her experience conducting community scans, she has helped identify local resources, amenities, and service gaps, equipping AHC with insights to strengthen resident support. By improving data tracking, communication, and training systems, Lily has created sustainable resources that reduce administrative burdens and enhance AHC’s ability to serve its communities. Her contributions will continue to support the organization’s success beyond her service term. To learn more about Lily’s work, email her at lillian.hoit@ahcinc.org.