Housing Connections Has Become Part of New River Community Action
Radford – Two nonprofit organizations with a long history of service to the New River Valley are joining forces to help connect families and individuals with safe, affordable housing. Effective August 1, 2022, Housing Connections will merge with New River Community Action, Inc. (NRCA).
Housing Connections, originally established as Pembroke Management, Inc., in 1987, administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program in partnership with Virginia Housing in the NRV localities of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski, as well as in Craig County. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides access to affordable housing for low-income and very low-income individuals and families, including people with disabilities and senior citizens.
NRCA’s Homeless and Housing Programs assist residents of the New River Valley experiencing homelessness or whom are at risk of homelessness. The agency’s Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention services help residents maintain housing or create a path to safe, affordable, and stable housing.
NRCA CEO Krystal Thompson notes, “Merging Housing Connections’ Housing Choice Voucher services with NRCA’s existing array of housing programs will be of great benefit to our consumers and the community. The synergy will provide for more effective and efficient services to vulnerable citizens and have a positive impact on the region.”
“Placing these functions in one organization is a win-win for the region and helps to streamline partnership efforts involving other housing organizations in the New River Valley,” says Jim Drader, Housing Connections board member, and Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley.
Established in 1965, NRCA is one of almost 1,000 Community Action agencies nationwide. A 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, NRCA serves Radford City and the Counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski in southwest Virginia. In partnership with other human service agencies, community groups, grantors, and donors, NRCA provides hope and help to approximately 8,000 people each year through programs that meet basic needs, strengthen families, and promote economic stability.
NRCA administers a variety of local anti-poverty programs: Head Start, Children’s Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP), Homeless and Housing Programs (Rapid Re-housing, Homeless Prevention, Housing Counseling, Renter Education Workshops), VA CARES services to ex-offenders, Emergency Assistance/Food Pantries, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Floyd County Backpack Program, To Our House thermal homeless shelter, and Whole
Family two-generation comprehensive services. Based in Radford, the agency employs over 140 full and part-time staff across the New River Valley.
