As a part of our mission to create vibrant homes in thriving neighborhoods for all, we are committed to working with our partners create homes that individuals with disabilities are proud to live in. Over the years, we have worked with partners to help create 19 communities that prioritize accessibility and comfort for individuals with disabilities in need of affordable housing.

VCDC’s lending affiliate, Virginia Community Development Fund (VCDF) announced this week that it received a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond to expand its Technical Assistance (TA) Program. The TA Program offers a range of technical support, consultant services, educational resources, and professional development opportunities to meet the unique individual needs of VCDF partners, empowering them to strengthen their organizations, enhance their understanding of development processes, and build capacity to play a leading role in developing sustainable, vibrant communities.

Just three years after the initiation of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program in Virginia, VCDC made its inaugural investment of over $1 million in LIHTC equity to establish Monticello Vista Apartments, providing homes for seniors and families in Charlottesville, VA. Monticello Vista comprises 50 affordable apartment homes designed with convenient accessibility features and amenities.

Holly Court Apartments is a community in Kilmarnock, Virginia with 40 affordable homes dedicated to senior citizens. Holly Court will be renovated to improve individual apartments homes, building facilities, a community room, and more. The community will offer a range of engaging perks for residents, including outdoor picnic areas, a large community space, and routine social and recreational activities such as holiday parties and bingo nights. Holly Court also offers residents skill-building, healthy living, and self-sufficiency programs to support residents. New renovations will prioritize energy efficiency and resident comfort with modern amenities.

Studio Two Three is a forward-thinking nonprofit art studio in Richmond, VA with a mission to empower artists to create civic change and community engagement through art. After 13 years of growth, Studio Two Three decided to explore the opportunity of purchasing a permanent home for their high-performing studio. Our lending affiliate, VCDF, helped Studio Two Three receive an $800,000 loan so the organization can make an impact in their forever home.

We are delighted to announce the six organizations joining Mission Elevation for the 2023-2024 program cycle. The Mission Elevation program has been creating professional growth opportunities for community development nonprofit and quasi-governmental organization leaders since its inception in 2017.

This February, the housing community lost Karl Bren, an instrumental leader who changed the landscape of affordable and sustainable housing across Virginia. Since the 1990’s, Karl was a key player in the creation of several nonprofit organizations and groups focused on affordable housing, homelessness services, and green building.

Wellesley Commons Apartments is an affordable apartment community in Newport News, VA, with 40 high-quality homes dedicated to seniors. Upon closing in March 2023, the apartment complex will undergo extensive renovations to improve facilities and systems that emphasize resident comfort and energy efficiency. With these new renovations, Wellesley Commons Apartments will better serve low-income individuals in the Hampton Roads area with high-quality homes and an all-embracing community where senior citizens can happily age in place.

The Vern Henley Special Initiative Grant gives VCDC partners and potential partners the ability to apply for grants to be used for special initiatives and programs for those residing in affordable housing in our service area.

Allison Bogdanovic is the Executive Director of Virginia Supportive Housing, Virginia’s first and largest nonprofit organization that develops and manages permanent supportive housing for homeless adults. She’s seen a lot of change and growth during her time at the organization, and joining the first cohort of Mission Elevation in 2016 did more than just boost and amplify that growth – it helped her learn how to face uneasy challenges and reframe VSH’s mindset to make a bigger impact in the communities they serve.

Holly Court Apartments is a community in Kilmarnock, Virginia with 40 affordable homes dedicated to senior citizens. Holly Court will be renovated to improve individual apartments homes, building facilities, a community room, and more. The community will offer a range of engaging perks for residents, including outdoor picnic areas, a large community space, and routine social and recreational activities such as holiday parties and bingo nights. Holly Court also offers residents skill-building, healthy living, and self-sufficiency programs to support residents. New renovations will prioritize energy efficiency and resident comfort with modern amenities.

“Being a part of initiatives and cohorts such as Mission Elevation allows you to take a step back from our day-to-day innerworkings and be more strategic about the future.”

Jeff Smith is the Executive Director of Rush Homes, a Lynchburg-based nonprofit that creates homes for people with disabilities and low incomes. Mission Elevation gave Jeff the tools to learn how to increase Rush Homes’ capacity in fundraising and property development and help him grow into a skillful, confident leader.

Use this page to find resources in affordable housing and homelessness services not offered by VCDC.

The Toms Brook Apartments are located just Northwest of Shenendoah National Park in Toms Brook, Virginia. In 2010, we partnered with People Incorporated of Virginia to help restore this historic school building into affordable homes for individuals and families. VCDC invested over $1.6 million in the restoration of Toms Brook Apartments, which includes Low-Income Housing Tax credit equity from our Housing Equity Fund XV and Federal Historic Equity.

2022 - What a year! We are incredibly grateful to our partners who we helped make huge impacts in the communities they serve.

Three years into her position as Executive Director of Housing Families First, Beth Vann-Turnbull knew it was time to make drastic changes the organization's funding model to be able to continue meeting the rising needs of families in Richmond that need a place to call home. To help address this challenge she was encouraged to apply for the second cohort of VCDC’s Mission Elevation program.

Prior to joining Mission Elevation, Hope Cupit, CEO of Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc. (SERCAP), realized that her organization needed a major departmental reorganization. She knew that Mission Elevation was a sustainability program and believed it could help SERCAP tackle several performance challenges: getting new loan products, faster automation, faster services, and improving marketing initiatives. We asked Hope to reflect on her experience, where she shared that she achieved more than she could have expected from the program.

Housing Equity Fund 26 totals over $68,300,000 in investments from local banks and will help seniors, individuals with disabilities and families throughout Virginia have access to safe, sustainable, and affordable homes.

The Mission Elevation program is an extension of VCDC's commitment to ensure communities are vibrant for all residents. Created 5 years ago, Mission Elevation is the newly named iteration of the successful program the Nonprofit Sustainability Challenge.