Virginia Housing Alliance

The Virginia Housing Alliance (VHA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding affordable housing opportunities and ending homelessness throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The VHA was formed through the merger of the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH) and the Virginia Housing Coalition (VHC), two statewide advocacy and education organizations. It maintains a collaborative relationship with its sister organization to prioritize both housing and homelessness issues in Virginia.

Mission and Activities

• Advocacy: The VHA develops and promotes a legislative and policy agenda to address state and federal housing and homelessness issues. This includes advocating for additional Housing Trust Fund resources and state-funded rental assistance programs.

• Education: The VHA educates the public about housing challenges through conferences, learning collaboratives, and the implementation of programs like the Virginia HELP (Housing Education Learning Partnership).

• Capacity Building: The organization supports the sustainable growth of housing nonprofits across the state through programs such as the AmeriCorps VISTA initiative.

History

The Virginia Housing Alliance traces its roots back to the 1980s, with a strong history of advocating for affordable housing and educating the public about housing challenges in Virginia.

Membership and Funding

Membership in the VHA is crucial for supporting its advocacy work. Memberships are available for individuals, seniors, students, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. These memberships allow the VHA to continue its efforts in housing policy advocacy, capacity building, and hosting events such as Housing Advocacy Day and the Annual Awards Ceremony.

Role in the Community

As the only statewide voice on affordable housing and homelessness, the VHA plays a critical role in supporting its members and the clients they serve. It acts as a bridge between various stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing housing affordability and homelessness in Virginia.