Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission Housing Partnership AmeriCorps VISTA

AmeriCorps VISTA Program

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national service program focused on alleviating poverty by strengthening organizations, expanding opportunity, and building sustainable community solutions. Rather than serving only through direct service, VISTA volunteers work behind the scenes to build capacity by creating systems, partnerships, and resources that continue benefiting communities long after their service term ends.

To serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, applicants must be at least 18 years old (there is no upper age limit), be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, pass a required criminal history check, and meet the qualifications listed for the position.

VISTA service is a full-time, one-year (365-day) commitment, typically averaging 35–40 hours per week. Volunteers may have the opportunity to re-enroll for a second or third year of service. Many host organizations offer hybrid work schedules based on the expectations of the assigned host site.

AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers receive a modest living allowance based on the community where they serve. Upon successful completion of service, volunteers may choose either a $7,395 Segal Education Award or a $1,800 cash stipend. Volunteers also receive health coverage, may qualify for child care or relocation assistance, and earn 80 hours of sick leave and 80 hours of personal leave during their service year. In addition, volunteers gain valuable professional development, leadership experience, and career-ready skills.

Virginia Housing Alliance AmeriCorps VISTA Project

The Virginia Housing Alliance (VHA) AmeriCorps VISTA project places volunteers with a statewide network of host organizations working to strengthen homeless response systems and expand access to affordable housing across Virginia. Each VISTA volunteer serves at one of VHA’s 18 host sites, providing capacity-building support that helps organizations operate more effectively and reach more individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity.

Through their service, volunteers develop tools and infrastructure that create lasting impact. Projects may include building data tracking systems, creating resource databases, strengthening communications strategies, supporting grant development, and designing policies, procedures, and workflows that remain in use long after the service year ends.

In a recent six-month period alone, VHA VISTA volunteers developed more than 120 organizational resources, launched over 100 housing-focused communications initiatives, and supported multiple funding proposals that brought new resources into communities across the Commonwealth. The program also serves as a proven pathway into mission-driven careers: since 2014, more than 60% of VHA VISTA volunteers have transitioned into full-time positions with their host site or a housing partner organization. This listing is to fill the Host Site opening at the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) in Charlottesville, VA.

TJPDC Regional Affordable Housing VISTA Volunteer Details

Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, through the Central Virginia Regional Housing Partnership (CVRHP), advances regional coordination to address housing affordability and strengthen long-term economic resilience across Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. The agency provides technical assistance to local governments, supports grant writing and compliance, and convenes regional stakeholders to align housing policy with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

The TJPDC Regional Affordable Housing VISTA volunteer will build capacity by transforming regional housing data and strategy into actionable tools, including developing an affordable housing toolkit, creating a centralized funding library, and launching a real-time housing dashboard that links housing supply, affordability, and workforce trends. The VISTA will also design and implement a communications strategy—including newsletters, events, and stakeholder engagement—to expand cross-sector collaboration among local governments, employers, developers, and community partners. By establishing shared systems, funding pathways, and data-driven decision-making infrastructure, this project will help the region reduce housing cost burden, address workforce-housing mismatches, and expand access to safe, affordable housing for renters, rural residents, families, and essential workers.

Volunteer Duties: The VISTA will implement the CVRHP Strategic Plan by building and maintaining regional tools that strengthen affordable and workforce housing coordination. They will develop an expanded housing toolkit, a searchable funding library, and a real-time housing dashboard with workforce indicators. The VISTA will identify grant opportunities, create tracking frameworks and proposal templates, and support funding applications. They will also lead a communications strategy through newsletters, reports, outreach materials, and networking events, including support for a Regional Housing Summit. Through research, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement, the VISTA will expand regional capacity, collaboration, and long-term housing solutions. The VISTA will gain skills in grant development, data analysis, strategic communications, regional planning, and cross-sector partnership building.

Living Allowance: The TJPDC VISTA will receive a $957 bi-weekly living allowance.

AmeriCorps Program Benefits

• VISTAs receive a bi-weekly modest living allowance that places them at the economic level of the residents where they serve ($957)
• A $7,395 end-of-service education award or $1,800 cash benefit after completing their term
• Health coverage; and may be eligible for child care and relocation assistance
• 80 hours of sick leave and 80 hours of vacation 
• Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) status upon completion of the VISTA service. NCE allows U.S. federal government agencies to hire eligible exchange program alumni outside of the formal competitive job announcement process and allows eligible exchange program alumni to compete for certain federal employment jobs that are only open to federal employees
• Discounted tuition, books, and other perks such as the Education Award match through the Schools of National Service program

VHA Program Benefits

• 3-Day VISTA Orientation focused on housing/homelessness best practices
• Three Quarterly in-person trainings in Richmond led by an accredited facilitator and sponsored (hotel, travel, and per diem) by VHA. Topics include Human Centered Design, Career Mapping and Networking, and much more
•  A year-long Coursera subscription, which is an online learning platform where the VISTAs will have access to accredited courses and certifications by Google, IBM, and Ivy League schools
• Skills based training (excel, nonprofit marketing, grant writing, trauma-informed care) 
• Monthly development conference calls with the entire VISTA cohort
• Free attendance to VHA’s statewide housing-focused conferences
• Resume writing workshops and access to a career coach
• Sponsorship to attend various housing summits and conferences 
• 90 Day site visits conducted by VHA’s VISTA Program Manager
• Opportunities to meet and network with professionals and leaders across Virginia

Host Site Benefits:

• Conference registration, travel reimbursement, and lodging for the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference.
• A grocery stipend in the form of a one-time gift card during the service year (amount to be determined based on organizational budget). 

Living Allowance: The VISTA member will receive a living allowance of $957 bi-weekly.

Terms: Car recommended

Minimum age: 18

Desired education level: Bachelors 

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. Openings will be filled on a rolling basis so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications must be submitted through the AmeriCorps portal. This process includes: Application and 2 references.