What's Going On

Volunteers Needed for VAHCDO and SERC Committees

Please consider helping VAHCDO as we enter a new phase of growth and development by volunteering for VAHCDO Committees. We have decided to expand our committee structure to address issues across several fields. 

• VAHCDO is increasingly called upon by housing stakeholders and federal, state and local officials for our knowledge and resources. We need your help forming public facing deliverables that places workforce and affordable housing at the forefront of decision makers agendas. 
  
  
• SERC is also looking for volunteers to help fill committee rosters. We would like Virginia to be well represented for regional affordable housing efforts and show the region that we come to the table with innovative ideas and solutions to help combat the housing crisis.

CLICK HERE to see the new committee structure and to volunteer for committees that best represents your area of expertise.

Apply for a SERC-NAHRO Committee Today!

Greetings VAHCDO Members and Affiliates,

Spring is upon us, and it was no more apparent than at the 2025 VAHCDO Spring Conference in Virginia Beach! 

President Tarkenton and I would like to personally thank each and every attendee that joined us for this fun and informative conference. I was blown away by the kindness and laughter that you all brought with you. I know all of you are an integral part of your community and the dedication you have for providing affordable housing is astounding. We are all proud to be a part of this affordable housing family and appreciate everything you do and your commitment to continuing education so that we can always grow and learn how to serve our resident families better. Our success is measured when they succeed. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!

We would also like to thank all of our Sponsors and Vendors. Without you this stellar conference wouldn't be possible. I encourage you all to reach out to them when you have time to thank them, and have a chat to see if their innovative products and services can help make your job that much more rewarding.

Uncertainty was a theme that came up more than once at the conference, but we discovered that when we work together and build stakeholder relationships, we can persevere through uncertain times. I encourage you to reach out to each other. Exchange ideas and best practices. Meet with your regional colleagues and partners and discuss ways that we can unite our efforts to be the best we can at providing housing to those who need it most.

Finally, I would like to thank all of our volunteers that helped put this conference and the VAHCDO Scholarship TopGolf Fundraiser together. Your service is unparalleled and it makes all the difference. 

I want you all to help us grow this organization into the leading association for workforce and affordable housing and community development. Scroll down to see how you can help volunteer for VAHCDO and SERC committees. 

I want all of you to know that I am always here to help connect you to resources or to people with answers to your question. Please feel free to email me anytime you need anything.

Best regards,

Troy Garrett - VAHCDO Executive Director

tgarrett@managegroup.com

 

Calling All Young Artists! 

Do you live in affordable housing or receive housing assistance through a NAHRO member agency? Are you in grades K-12 and love to draw, paint, or create? Then this is your moment to shine! Enter the "What Home Means to Me" poster contest and share your vision of home through art. Winners in each age category will receive a cash prize—up to $200!—and the chance to compete at the regional and national levels. Your artwork could inspire the country and help tell the powerful story of what “home” truly means to you. So grab your crayons, markers, or paint—and let your creativity do the talking!

The contest is open to all children (grades K-12) residing in affordable housing assisted directly or supported under community development and affordable housing programs administered by a NAHRO member authority (e.g. public or Section 8/HCV-assisted housing, RAD, CDBG, HOME, LIHTC).

 Download the Application here.

 Download the Flyer here.

The following prizes will be awarded for each category:

1st Place: $200 check

2nd Place: $100 check

3rd Place: $50 check

Plus, your winning entry will move forward to to a regional competition. National winners will be selected based on how well the artwork uses the "What Home Means to Me" theme. 

Specifications:

Theme: "What Home Means to Me"

Poster size: 22" x 28" (horizontal/landscape only)

• Contestant may use any art media (marker, crayon, paint, collage, textiles, etc.). Posters will need to mailed flat. Please do not use materials that may smear, crack or chip.
• Only original artwork will be accepted.
• Depictions of cartoon, video game movie/TV characters, celebrities, movie themes, computer clip art, magazine pictures, other print media, brand/product images, or other trademarked and copyrighted materials will not be accepted.
• Submission must be created by only one person. Entries created by two or more people will not be accepted.
• All entries must be mailed flat.

Your entry must include:

CATEGORIES:

Submit to:

VAHCDO
ATTN: Lisa Porter, Beyond Housing
120 Hope Lane, Bristol, VA 24201

For more information contact: lisa@beyondhsg.com

All posters, essays and applications must be postmarked, hand delivered or received by 4 p.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025

Presented By the Virginia Association of Housing and Community Development Officials (VAHCDO) in partnership with the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)

March 11^th, 2025 –

VAHCDO received the NAHRO Advocate of the Year Award for its work advancing and building upon the Virginia Communities of Opportunity Tax Credit (COpTC) in the Virginia General Assembly Legislative Session. VAHCDO successfully advocated for the expansion of the tax credit from the three major metropolitan regions of Washington, D.C., Richmond, and Hampton Roads to be available statewide. We were also able to extend the sunset date and increase the budget for the COpTC. The award also recognized our innovative new program, the Landlord Participation Toolkit media campaign. The Landlord Participation Toolkit provides traditional, video, and social media campaign materials, fully customizable to fit each of Virginia’s Public Housing Authority’s regional participation needs. The toolkit educates landlords on the benefits of participating in affordable housing programs and helps to dispel the negative myths often associated with providing affordable housing options. VAHCDO is thrilled to receive this award and will continue its legislative and media efforts to address the needs of our residents and create new solutions to solve the issues created by the current housing crisis.

Quotes:

Troy Garrett, VAHCDO Executive Director – “The housing crisis requires multiple innovative solutions. There is no silver bullet to end the shortage of affordable housing options for those most vulnerable among us and for the workforce that serves our communities. Instead, we must address housing issues with new ideas and tools that can challenge long-held perceptions of what it means to participate in affordable housing programs. VAHCDO members and leadership rose to the challenge and collaborated with various housing stakeholders and legislators to incentivize participation and educate landlords on the benefits of affordable housing programs. The Communities of Opportunity Tax Credit and the Landlord Participation Toolkit work to address multiple facets of the housing crisis by correcting misconceptions and motivating landlords in urban, suburban, and rural areas to accept vouchers. This is only the beginning for VAHCDO as we continue to collaborate with our partners and turn innovative ideas into real solutions.”

Nancy Tarkenton, VAHCDO President – “Affordable Housing has emerged as a key issue nationally as well as locally but through the cooperation and collaboration of member organizations, VAHCDO has achieved notable small successes to preserve and expand quality housing choices for families across the Commonwealth, promoting family stability and individual success.  VAHCDO’s advocacy and legislative efforts saw some success with the funding expansion of the Virginia Communities of Opportunities Tax Credit program (COpTC) simultaneously carving out funds specifically earmarked for rural and suburban areas, and the VAHCDO Landlord Outreach Toolkit, a social media and marketing package developed by Loud and Clear Marketing under a Virginia Housing grant has been instrumental in increasing landlord participation in housing programs, and dispelling negative myths about affordable housing.  The VAHCDO Board, on behalf of its member organizations, is honored to be recognized as the NAHRO Advocate of the Year!”

NAHRO is holding it's annual Capitol Hill Day in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, March 12th, 2025. It is an opportunity for NAHRO members to meet with their federal legislators and staff to discuss the important issues affecting affordable and workforce housing programs. If you are a NAHRO member, please consider joining them to help advocate for funding and policy priorities.

See full details here.

Things are rapidly changing in the federal government and within HUD. The legal impact on the public and affordable housing industry is likely to be profound. We want to do something about it.

Join HDLI’s Legal Working Group to discuss cutting-edge developments in real time and help to develop an appropriate response. Representatives of HDLI’s Legal Working Group will interact with HUD and other industry groups and report back to our larger group and to HDLI membership.

Criteria to Join: Current member of HDLI; interest in the legal issues facing the industry; skilled at working as a volunteer member of a group; availability to meet for 1 hour weekly via Zoom (dates and times TBD); interest in active participation, as opposed to just listening in during meetings; Availability to assist with outreach, surveys, legal research, or other work of the group. Click here to join the HDLI’s Legal Working Group. 

Join Here

There is a national Housing Crisis being felt throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and in Hampton Roads, and there is no one solution or easy fix. However, we do know that that first step in reaching solutions is education, to understand the issue and explore potential options.

Collaboration and caring came together on Monday, October 7, 2024 at Bethany Baptist Church, Campostella Road for a complimentary regional showing of “Beyond the Bridge” documentary and stakeholder discussion, presented by Chesapeake Thrives Housing work group, hosted by The Planning Council and Bethany Baptist Church, and supported by community stakeholders including Chesapeake Human Services, Chesapeake Planning, Hampton Roads Planning District Committee, Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation, Agape Feast, Chesapeake Humane Society, and VAHCDO (Virginia Association of Housing and Community development Officials) .

BEYOND THE BRIDGE is an ambitious documentary film about solutions to homelessness and affordable housing. A Bigger Vision Films team traveled over 40,000 miles around the US to answer this question: How can this country solve homelessness in a comprehensive way? The answer surprised us with its simplicity, as two large cities proved that solving homelessness is within reach of any community. The initial documentary, “Under the Bridge” can be found and viewed on YouTube, https://youtu.be/vfGw71SWbGE?si=jmBZLv_x_PFlZ3eb.

Invitations went out to local, regional, and state elected officials and candidates, all levels of city staff, community non-profits, and the faith-based community, with nearly two hundred in attendance, including Congressman Bobby Scott and Councilman Don Carey. Following the documentary, there was a robust discussion, sharing area housing needs and gaps, current projects and initiatives in the Hampton Roads community, and next steps, actionable calls-to-action and follow-up activities for audience and community members to work toward addressing the region-wide need for affordable housing, and support for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission's Regional Housing Study.

Agape Feast and their army of volunteers assembled a visually impactful display of artwork created by clients of the Chesapeake “We Care” Resource Center for the homeless. One client shared his story of homelessness and success after receiving assistance in the form of a PSH voucher, with several others with lived experience in attendance and sharing their own, personal struggles.

In hope of reaching the widest possible audience and keeping the momentum going, attendees were provided a one-pager listing potential solutions and opportunities. They were also provided regional contacts and invited to share ideas and programs as well as potential sites well-positioned for possible affordable housing development and existing buildings suitable for adaptive re-use. Stakeholders are encouraged to continue sharing and educating within the community, encourage private landlords to participate in affordable housing programs or consider leniency in screening, to show up and be a voice in government meetings, and advocate for the homeless, affordable housing programs, and quality housing for all.

        

For VAHCDO Members Only!
This kit is designed to help dispel myths and provide clarity about rental assistance programs like Section 8. As Virginia continues to face a housing crisis, we need fresh, innovative approaches to encourage more landlords to participate.

Inside, you'll find a variety of customizable resources—traditional materials, videos, and social media content—that can be tailored to your local PHA/RHA or affiliate. Feel free to share these on your websites and social platforms, or personalize them with your organization's logo to reach your community.

Together, we can increase landlord involvement and provide housing opportunities for our most vulnerable populations. Let's use every tool available to expand affordable housing access today.

Check it out here.

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, HUD announced that PHAs will not be required to be compliant with HOTMA Section 102 and 104 income and assets provisions by January 1, 2025, except for the Earned Income Disregard (EID) provisions. Although the implementation of the HOTMA Section 102 and 104 Final Rule remains in effect, these income and asset provisions of the final rule require access to new HOTMA-compliant HUD-50058 forms in the Housing Information Portal (HIP), the not-yet-released replacement for IMS/PIC. However, HIP will not be ready by January 1, 2025.   HUD plans to issue additional guidance about provisions in HOTMA Section 102 and 104 that are unrelated to income and assets soon. HUD is also referring agencies to the recently updated PIH HOTMA Implementation FAQs document for answers on which provisions may be implemented before migration to HIP, and for guidance related to updating Admission and Continued Occupancy Policies (ACOPs) and Administrative Plans.

Add Content Here