HOPE Multifamily Housing Portfolio Support Specialist AmeriCorps VISTA - Wytheville, VA
AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps VISTA was founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 as a national service program designed specifically to fight poverty in America. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs under the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). AmeriCorps VISTA Members make a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. They focus their efforts to build the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster economic development, and otherwise assist low-income communities.
Virginia Housing Alliance VISTA Project
Virginia Housing Alliance’s (VHA) AmeriCorps VISTA project is a statewide intermediary project with 18 Host Sites, all that either work to expand affordable housing opportunities and/or end homelessness throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. VHA’s VISTA project aims to develop viable communities by promoting integrated approaches that provide decent housing, suitable living environments, and expansive economic opportunities for low and moderate-income persons. This listing is to fill the Host Site opening at Helping Overcome Poverty’s Existence, Inc. (HOPE) located in Wytheville, VA.
Multifamily Portfolio Support Specialist AmeriCorps VISTA at HOPE
HOPE works to break generational poverty through enhanced food security and housing stability. Facing a dire housing shortage and increased need to house individuals experiencing homelessness throughout their region, HOPE is looking for a mission-driven individual comfortable with building and reading spreadsheets and analytical thinking to serve as the Multifamily Portfolio Support Specialist VISTA. The HOPE VISTA member will be critical in helping HOPE achieve their goal of doubling their multi-family housing portfolio while leading the effort to provide more workforce housing in response to 2,500 new jobs coming to Wythe County in 2022-23. The VISTA will support HOPE’s expanding housing portfolio into a possible acquisition of a motel that will act as a shelter with rapid re-housing units, implement new equitable systems and procedures that enhance homeless and rapid re-housing services, incorporate a review of social determinants of health, and research best practices and models for both housing and homeless services.
Member Duties: The HOPE VISTA will research and collaborate with other Continuum of Cares (CoCs), local governments, and the VA Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to identify and implement best strategies and practices for motel acquisitions using HOME American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. The VISTA will showcase and promote this motel-to-shelter model while collecting and aggregating critical housing and health data that supports funding proposals to expand HOPE’s housing portfolio. The VISTA will also work closely with the CoCs and it’s partners to cultivate relationships with area hospitals with the goal of implementing new client intake processes, integrating referrals into the HOPE’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and collecting housing data as it relates to social determinants of health. The VISTA will also evaluate HOPE programs with a racial equity lens and develop tenant surveys that gauge service delivery satisfaction and identify program gaps.
Program Benefits: Childcare assistance if eligible; choice of a $6,895 end-of-service education or $1,800 cash benefit after completing their term; health coverage; relocation allowance; training; Professional Development opportunities; $300 monthly housing stipend.
Living Allowance: The VISTA member receives a $877 bi-weekly living allowance.
Terms: Car recommended
Minimum age: 18
Desired education level: Associates degree (AA)
Skills: Communications; research and analysis; computers/technology; writing/editing; community services; urban planning; team work
Position Contact Info
Please contact the VHA VISTA Program Manager, Hannah Moore, at hmoore@vahousingalliance.org or at 910-258-2420 with any questions.