About

Advancing Housing in Virginia & Beyond

We are a non-partisan, non-profit research and policy organization focused on housing in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Through our communications, education, research, and facilitation, we help leaders better understand the importance of safe, stable, and affordable housing to vibrant, equitable communities.

Vision

We will be a national leader for advancing successful, data-driven housing solutions in Virginia and beyond.

Mission

We help community leaders take action to solve their housing challenges. As a trusted partner and innovator, we use evidence-based solutions to build a future where everyone has a safe, stable home they can afford.

Our Values

Data-Driven Innovation

We are committed to producing high-quality, accurate, and comprehensive research that leverages rigorous data practices and creative thinking.

Integrity in Practice

We are Virginia’s honest broker in housing policy. We support our partners by sharing clear information, democratizing data, and fostering the trust necessary to achieve lasting change.

Inclusive Equity

We champion equitable access to affordable housing as a fundamental right. We strive to promote inclusive practices and empower diverse communities across the Commonwealth.

Core Programs

Communications & Outreach

We break down complex housing topics into accessible content made freely available to all. Our team shares expertise through blogs, emails, and speaking engagements.

Education & Research

We create data tools and educational resources that help you understand housing needs in your community. Our research explores housing’s connections to health, education, and rural development.

Facilitating Change

We convene diverse stakeholders across Virginia to learn about innovative ideas and solutions that are driving the affordable housing industry forward.

Contract Research & Technical Assistance

We provide fee-for-service research and technical assistance, including housing market and policy analysis. Our experience provides valuable perspective in implementing strategies that work in local communities.

Strategic Plan Documents

Strategic Plan Summary Cover

Strategic Plan Summary

A concise overview of our strategic initiatives and goals.

Download Summary
Full Strategic Plan Cover

Full Strategic Plan

Our comprehensive strategic plan with detailed objectives and implementation strategies.

Download Full Plan

Get Involved

Reach out anytime to learn more about our work and how we can support your organization.

Contact Us

Our Board

Nathalia Artus, Chair

Atlantic Union Bank

Nathalia is a Senior Vice President and Director of Community Development and Reinvestment with Atlantic Union Bank. Her focus at work is promoting community economic development through financial assistance – including within the nonprofit and governmental sectors.

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Shernita Bethea, Vice Chair

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission

Shernita L. Bethea is the Housing Administrator for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. In her capacity as a planner, she works with a variety of organizations and agencies in the effort to promote regional approaches to issues pertaining to the elderly population, services for persons with disabilities as well as various housing issues.

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Tom Fitzpatrick, Treasurer

Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia

Thomas Okuda Fitzpatrick is the Executive Director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME). He leads HOME’s efforts in eradicating housing and lending discrimination and leveling the playing field to ensure equal access to housing for all people.

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Carol Wilson, Secretary

Sentara

Carol is the Manager of Social Determinants of Health at Sentara Health Plans, where she develops programs and collaborations aimed at reducing the negative impacts of social factors in the lives of members.

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Vaughn Poller, Immediate Past Chair

James City County

Vaughn has been a resident of James City since 1991. He worked in the James City County Office of Housing and Community Development as the Community Development Planner for ten years and was a founding member of the County’s Neighborhood Connections Office.

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Leslie Frazier

Virginia REALTORS®

Before becoming Senior Vice President of Community and Industry Relations for Virginia REALTORS®, Leslie worked for two Virginia governors, applying her skills and passion to an array of policy initiatives, from veteran and military issues to foster care.

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Andrew Clark

Home Builders Association of Virginia

Andrew serves as HBAV Vice President of Government Relations. Andrew manages the HBAV government affairs and regulatory programs as well as the HBAV Build-PAC.

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Jarrod Elwell

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Jarrod Elwell is the Community Development regional manager for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, serving Virginia and Washington, D.C. Jarrod joined the Richmond Fed in January 2023, bringing almost three decades of experience in community development.

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Yolunda Harrell

New Hill Development Corp.

Yolunda Harrell originally hails from Alabama (Roll Tide) but grew up predominantly in South Carolina. She has worked, served, and lived in the Charlottesville area for the last 13 years. Yolunda is a Christian, wife, business partner, executive manager, entrepreneur and CEO and Founder of New Hill Development Corporation.

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Bryan Horn

Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

Bryan Horn serves as the director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). He brings years of experience to the administration. He is a skilled attorney whose primary areas of practice were construction law, eminent domain law and general commercial and real estate litigation.

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Andy Kegley

HOPE, Inc.

Andy Kegley has served as Executive Director of Helping Overcome Poverty’s Existence, Inc. (HOPE) since its merger with Mountain Shelter, Inc. in 2007. Prior to that, he was the founding board chair in 1991, and became Executive Director of Mountain Shelter in 1995.

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Tammy Neale

Virginia Housing

Tammy Neale has served as Virginia Housing’s CEO since being appointed by the Board of Commissioners in March 2024. She is responsible for Virginia Housing’s daily operations as well as the implementation of our Strategic Plan.

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Jill Norcross

Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance

Jill Norcross became the Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance in January 2023. She has over 20 years of experience in fostering successful partnerships with diverse stakeholders around affordable housing planning and development.

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Susan McCulloch

City of Danville

Susan McCulloch, CZA, Division Director of Housing & Development, City of Danville. McCulloch has over 19 years of experience working in different localities in Virginia in community and economic development, which includes town management, downtown revitalization, planning, project/grant management.

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Bryan Phipps

People, Inc.

Bryan Phipps is the President and CEO of People Incorporated of Virginia. He has over 23 years of experience working in nonprofit development and management and is a Certified Community Action Professional.

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Austin Pittman

The Lawson Companies

Austin Pittman is the Senior Development Manager at The Lawson Companies, focusing on project feasibility and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). As a member of the development team he works directly with the state housing credit authority, while managing the LIHTC process from procurement to completion.

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Carrie Schmidt, HUD Liaison

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Carrie has served as the Richmond Field Office Director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development since 2011. She is responsible for ensuring that all HUD programs are effectively delivered across the Commonwealth providing coordinated opportunities to communities that support community economic development, quality housing, access and affordability.

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Our Staff

Jonathan Knopf

Executive Director for Programs

Jonathan directs HousingForward Virginia’s research and progam efforts across the commonwealth. This work includes regional and local housing needs assessments, policy generation and implementation, and communications strategies.

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Eric Mai

Executive Director for Strategy and Sustainability

Eric is a Senior Associate at HDAdvisors, where he specializes in policy research and outreach to gain a comprehensive understanding of affordable housing needs and opportunities.

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Maria Dougherty

Senior Associate

Maria Tova Enriquez Dougherty joined HDAdvisors in June 2022 as a Senior Associate. She is involved on a variety projects for the company, including providing policy research and programmatic development for HousingForward Virginia and the Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust (VSCLT) and affordable housing real estate development.

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Flora Valdes-Dapena

Junior Associate

As Junior Associate, Flora handles branded communications for HousingForward Virginia, including our website, social media, and email list, as well as organizing meetings, keeping records, and taking on special projects.

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Karin Sheets

Development Consultant

Karin has more than 20 years of fund development and administrative experience in the nonprofit sector.

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Our Supporters

Our work would not be possible without the generous support of our funders and partners. You can become a supporter by donating today.