Affordable Housing Initiatives Fact Sheet


From its beginnings more than a century ago, Volunteers of America has believed in the power of housing as the foundation for life.  

  • Volunteers of America is one of the largest nonprofit developers and providers of affordable housing in the country. We own and operate 377 affordable housing properties in 40 states and Puerto Rico.
  • Our nationwide portfolio has grown to 17,149 affordable housing units and includes large urban complexes, small rural developments, elderly housing, multifamily housing and housing for those with disabilities. We house more than 25,000 people each year.
  • Volunteers of America is a national leader in providing care and housing for seniors. In the United States today, the organization is one of the largest nonprofit providers of affordable senior housing, and is a leading nonprofit provider of skilled nursing care and assisted living for seniors.

Volunteers of America has the expertise to address affordable housing’s many facets – from development and ownership to management and supportive services.

  • We are the largest nonprofit recipient in the nation of funding from HUD to build housing for seniors and the disabled.
  • Our model pairs strong local relationships and expertise in providing services with national experience in building design, construction, finance and accounting.
  • We provide centralized asset management for a housing portfolio valued at nearly $500 million. We extend our position as a leader in property management by offering our services to other organizations on a contract basis.
  • In addition to new development, we leverage financial expertise and strong local connections to acquire, refinance and preserve older developments as affordable housing.

Volunteers of America’s housing program helps people achieve independence and self-sufficiency. We work to rebuild lives as well as homes.

  • Pairing well-run facilities with customized, compassionate support services differentiates us in the affordable housing arena.
  • Our organization looks beyond the financing and acquisition of a property, and addresses the social problems of residents. We provide innovative support to our residents including job training, youth developmental programs, health promotion services, meals, social and recreational activities, mental health services and substance abuse treatments.

Volunteers of America envisions a country without homelessness and is committed to its work as an advocate to encourage the development and operation of affordable housing nationwide.

  • In testimony before Congress, Volunteers of America has urged increased funding for federal programs that support affordable housing construction in the United States – particularly housing for the elderly.
  • Volunteers of America is committed to developing or preserving at least 600 additional units of affordable housing each year.
  • Volunteers of America has championed the cause of homeless veterans and is the top nonprofit recipient of transitional housing funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Through transitional and permanent housing, as well as critical support services, we are making a difference and serving those who served us.
  • Affordable Housing Finance magazine rated Volunteers of America as the top nonprofit in its “Top 50 Affordable Housing Owners,” and also ranked the organization in the “Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers” and “Top 10 Companies Completing Acquisitions.” The magazine also selected a Volunteers of America multifamily community, Lord Tennyson outside San Francisco, as the “best of the best” affordable housing project in the country for 2007.

2009