Join MWCLT as our 2024 - 2025 VHA AmeriCorps VISTA
Apply by July 18, 2024
Virginia Housing Alliance’s (VHA) AmeriCorps VISTA project is a statewide intermediary project with 17 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 Maggie Walker Community Land Trust (MWCLT) located in Richmond, VA. Maggie Walker Community Land Trust (MWCLT) seeks to develop and maintain permanently affordable homeownership opportunities for low and moderate-income households. Using the Community Land Trust (CLT) model, MWCLT creates single-family homes that are sold to qualified buyers while retaining ownership of the land beneath the houses. One of MWCLT’s goals is to strengthen their programs to address racial inequities in homeownership. To support this goal, they have developed and launched a number of pilot programs and creative partnerships with local Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and nonprofits to widen their reach. MWCLT is looking for a motivated individual to serve as the Housing Eligibility VISTA member to focus on enhancing MWCLT’s homeownership program by evaluating and improving upon current processes in order to increase participation and ensure equitability. Data-centered activities include integrating the homeownership application, as well as other forms, with MWCLT’s front-facing website and their internal Salesforce software, improving their ability to streamline data. The VISTA will also research best practices for Community Land Trusts and improve public participation of the Richmond Land Bank, a program that expands affordable housing by inviting applicants to develop affordable housing on Land Bank-owned properties, through targeted outreach strategies.
Member Duties: The VISTA will focus on enhancing the homeownership program by improving data collection, analysis, and data management systems. This also includes evaluating current processes to address barriers in homeownership. Utilizing existing data, the VISTA will create reports and visualizations that support and inform staff in the decision making process. The VISTA will also collaborate with the MWCLT team in identifying new funding streams, partners, and creating outreach campaigns strategically focused on increasing awareness of the CLT model as a road to homeownership. The VISTA will work to gain proficiency in Salesforce HomeKeeper, MWCLT’s data management platform, with a goal of improving the database, creating automated actions as necessary, and critically thinking through the way data can be collected and used to further advance their mission.
Program Benefits: Training , Living Allowance , Childcare assistance if eligible , Relocation Allowance , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Health Coverage* , Housing Stipend , Education award upon successful completion of service .
*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/vista/benefits.
Terms:
Permits attendance at school during off hours , Car recommended , Permits working at another job during off hours .
Service Areas:
Homelessness , Community and Economic Development , Housing .
Skills:
Computers/Technology , Leadership , Urban Planning , Writing/Editing , Fund raising/Grant Writing , Team Work , Communications , Social Services , Non-Profit Management , Community Organization , General Skills .