September 2024 — After months of planning and anticipation, VCDC proudly hosted the annual NASLEF (National Association of State & Local Equity Funds) Conference in Charlottesville, VA from September 18-20th.

NASLEF is a nonprofit association that brings together equity fund organizations committed to advancing community development. Its mission is to foster a deeper understanding of tax credit and financing programs, advocate for community development resources, and support the professional growth of its member organizations—all in service of the communities we represent. Collectively, member funds have raised over $20.14 billion in equity capital for rental housing developments throughout the country, creating or rehabilitating more than 206,659 units of affordable housing in 4,306 developments.

Hosting NASLEF members in Charlottesville was a meaningful experience for us, given our longstanding history in resident-centered development within the city. The conference provided an opportunity for our NASLEF colleagues to witness firsthand several thriving affordable housing communities in the area, including Kindlewood, Crescent Halls, South First Street, Crossings at Fourth and Preston, Mews on Little High Street, and the Carlton Mobile Home Park. Our team members, including Bob Newman, Chris Sterling, Jeff Meyer and Steve Bleile, helped lead walking and bus tours of key properties in our portfolio. We also organized a tour of Charlottesville's Downtown Mall, a staple of the city that showcases its small businesses and local flare.

Regretfully, we were unable to visit more affordable properties in Charlottesville due to a technical error in transportation on a tour. Read about the South First Street community here and the Southwood development here.

Our staff played an important role in presenting and introducing guests in conference sessions. Bob Newman introduced keynote speakers, Steve Bleile presented at the underwriting roundtable session, Laura Dupuy participated in a capital raising for CDFIs session, and Raven Bates presented in a communications for impact session.

We were also proud to have McKenson Smart, Raven Bates, and Alicia Peel represent VCDC in NASLEF’s Emerging Leaders Group, a collective of innovators focused on leadership strategies in our industry. A special congratulations to Raven, who co-chairs the ELP Program and was honored with the NASLEF Emerging Leader of the Year Award.

A huge thank you to the following community partners and local staff who contributed to making this conference a meaningful and successful event:

Tammy Neale, keynote address— CEO of Virginia Housing
Sam Samuels, welcome address— Charlottesville City Manager
Sheila Parker, panelist— SupportWorks Housing
Virginia Santos, panelist— Better Housing Coalition (panelist)
Jeff Werner, tour guide— Preservation Planner at City of Charlottesville
Sunshine Mathon, tour guide and panel moderator— Executive Director of Piedmont Housing Alliance
Tasia White, panelist— Piedmont Housing Alliance
Janette Kawachi, panelist— Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville
Audrey Oliver, tour guide and panelist— Public Housing Association of Residents
Brandon Collins, tour guide— Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Anthony Clary, tour guide— SupportWorks Housing
La’Toya Jackson, tour guide— SupportWorks Housing
Jen Fitzgerald, tour guide— Community Supportive Housing
Kelly Eplee, tour guide—Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville
Dan Rosensweig, tour guide— President and CEO Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville

We extend our gratitude to our NASLEF colleagues for joining us in Charlottesville this year. Your partnership is invaluable, and we look forward to reconnecting at next year’s conference!