Get to know our portfolio partners: Volunteers of America National Services

This piece is part of our ongoing series, “Get to know our portfolio partners”, where we asked organizations from across the Community Investment Note® portfolio to share favorite moments from their recent work and what they're looking forward to in the future.

Stay tuned for more highlights from our portfolio partners’ work on the ground!

Volunteers of America National Services (VOANS) is a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides hundreds of services to disadvantaged communities, including housing assistance, healthcare, and housing. As of 2022, VOANS served over 33,900 people annually and owned and operated over 13,500 affordable housing units.

We asked VOANS a few questions about their work and upcoming projects. Read on for their responses and visit their portfolio partner profile here to learn more about their impact in communities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

What is something special or unique about the work that VOANS does?

At VOANS, we're committed to building community. Our mission is to positively impact the lives of individuals through affordable housing and compassionate care. VOANS is one of the largest nonprofit housing developers in the country. But we don't just stop at building housing. We consider the holistic needs of the community — from quality affordable housing options to healthcare needs and the necessary support services to contribute to a thriving community.

Can you share a recent highlight or favorite moment from your organization's work?

After receiving a 3-year, $3 million grant for pre-development expenses from the Wells Fargo Foundation in 2020, VOANS launched the Innovative Dwellings program — conducting research on small-scale, alternative housing options and partnering with mission-aligned organizations. Specifically, the grant funded pre-development expenses for creating 125 units of permanent supportive housing for veterans experiencing homelessness. The Innovative Dwellings program explores using modular construction techniques that reduce costs and construction timeframes while maintaining quality. These efficient dwellings range from 400-800 square feet and specifically address affordability challenges while meeting diverse resident needs. This was a major accomplishment for VOANS because this opportunity allowed us to step outside of traditional housing solutions and research and explore innovative housing options that could potentially address the housing crisis impacting communities across the country.

As a part of the Innovative Dwellings initiative, and in partnership with Durham Community Land Trustees and Mākhers Studio, VOANS displayed a shipping container accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in the Department of Housing & Urban Development fourth annual Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in summer 2024. The ADA-compliant shipping container ADU consists of 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room. Mākhers Studio designed and built the ADU in its Atlanta-based factory and will build four more similar units to be a part of Guthrie Village – a community of ADUs designed for veterans and their families in Durham, North Carolina.

Learn more here: https://www.voa.org/innovative-dwellings/

What is something exciting coming up for your organization, industry, or region?

One of the major programs VOANS is excited to continue to expand across the country is the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). The PACE model is centered on the belief that the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families are better served in the community. This program is another way that VOANS emphasizes holistic care, and we currently own and operate 8 locations across the country. Our PACE centers help transform the lives of seniors by providing their individual healthcare needs while allowing them to live safely in their homes in the communities they love. The PACE healthcare model breaks down traditional healthcare barriers and challenges, and VOANS is looking forward to expanding this program over the next few years.

To learn more about VOANS and read more stories about their impact, visit their portfolio partner profile here.

The responses presented in this article are for general informational purposes only and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness. The testimonials presented reflect the personal experiences and opinions of portfolio partners and their investees, and do not guarantee the same results for others.