May 29, 2024

Dear VSCLT Stakeholders and Friends,

It is with great excitement and anticipation that I share that after several months of working collaboratively with our staffing partner, HDAdvisors (HDA), the Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust Board of Directors welcomes Michelle Winters as Chief Executive Officer of the organization!

In 2020, following the work of dedicated Habitat for Humanity affiliates, housing advocates, and HDA consultants, VSCLT was incorporated as a 501(c)3. With support from Fauquier Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity of D.C. & Northern Virginia, Loudoun Habitat for Humanity, and Habitat for Humanity of Virginia, VSCLT was able to hire HDA to operate the organization in 2021. By 2022, with ground leases developed and organizational processes in hand, VSCLT welcomed its first four CLT homeowners! Amelie Rives and Maria Dougherty, Senior Associates at HDA, joined the VSCLT-HDA team in 2022 with Erica Sims, President of HDA, to support the continued administration and development of VSCLT, with Amelie tapped to serve as the CEO.

In less than four years, VSCLT has experienced exponential growth from its incorporation to providing permanently affordable homes for nine homeowners, with dozens more in the pipeline. We’ve had the opportunity to build relationships and partnerships with immensely supportive community members throughout the Commonwealth. With strong roots established and much to be proud of, VSCLT is at an inflection point.

With great growth and expansion comes the opportunity for VSCLT to increase its capacity beyond what it is currently capable of with consulting staff. In 2024, with the full support and encouragement of HDA and the Board, VSCLT sought out dedicated staff and HDA will step back to an advising role. We are proud to have seen the expansion of VSCLT through its stage as an emerging organization to a recognized technical resource for CLT expertise and permanently affordable homeownership opportunities throughout the state.

I am equally excited to see VSCLT’s possibilities and growth as a catalyst for lasting affordability with Michelle Winters at the helm of the ship. With VSCLT ready to leave port, I cannot imagine a better VSCLT pilot. You may know Michelle as the former Executive Director of Alliance for Housing Solutions, Interim Director of Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, and a dedicated Board Member of VSCLT. As she steps down from the VSCLT Board of Directors and Amelie steps into the role of advisor, we can’t wait for you all to see Michelle’s expertise, tenacity, passion, curiosity, and commitment as she assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer of VSCLT on July 1, 2024.

Amelie Rives, CEO

Jim Russell, Chair