About

About.

VAHCDO plays an important role in the formulation of housing and redevelopment policy in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Such policy influence results from the strength and support of our member agencies and the effective leadership of Board of Directors. VAHCDO representatives interact regularly with the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA), Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD), Virginia Housing Study Commission, and the Virginia Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). VAHCDO has also joined with the Virginia Housing Coalition (VHC) in addressing policy issues of mutual concern such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program.

Since 1971,

the Virginia Association of Housing and Community Development Officials (VAHCDO) has assisted Virginia's redevelopment and housing authorities and local government housing and community development departments in promoting affordable housing opportunities and vibrant communities. VAHCDO is organized as a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code with a mission designed to support its members' efforts to improve the health and living standards of Virginia's citizens, encourage community development, eliminate substandard and inadequate housing, eradicate slums, blighted or deteriorating areas, and promote other such actions to help achieve the goal of providing a decent home and suitable living environment for Virginia's families.

Our organization is engaged in

four primary activities to accomplish its mission:

Fostering an environment which promotes communication and networking among entities engaged in the housing and community development industry;
Facilitating member training;
Participating in the formulation of state housing and community development policy; and
Providing scholarship opportunities to foster the higher education aspirations of students residing in public and Section 8 assisted housing.

A Message from Our President

Nancy L. Tarkenton

Virginia Association of Housing and Community Development Officials (VAHCDO) has been bringing housing authorities and housing professionals together for over fifty years. On behalf of the VAHCDO Board I would like to extend our sincere appreciation for the active and engaged members that make it possible to collectively carry out the mission of providing training, support, and opportunities to share best practices and information. Together we promote vibrant communities and encourage personal and financial growth for the residents we serve. And together our voice is stronger in advocating and initiating legislative and policy action necessary for our success.
As a member organization, VAHCDO needs each of you to be actively engaged and involved in positioning the organization for future growth and succession. Please encourage staff to participate in the affordable and valuable trainings VAHCDO arranges throughout the year; to attend the fun and informative Legal and Policy Seminar and Spring Conference; to take advantage of the exceptional community of professionals to learn from, and to share with; to utilize resources available through VAHCDO, the regional SERC-NAHRO, and national NAHRO such as scholarship opportunities and legislative/advocacy tools; to join and participate in VAHCDO and SERC committees; and to share thoughts, ideas and feedback to contribute to the future growth and relevance.
I also challenge each of you to help enlist your vendors for sponsorship of VAHCDO activities and your locality, faith-based, and community partners to join VAHCDO as Affiliate Members, to help grow the organization and share critical information, resources, and tools with dedicated housing professionals outside public housing.

We are stronger and better together.

Yours in Service,
Nancy L. Tarkenton, President VAHCDO