When it comes to affordable housing finance in Virginia, Stephanie Flanders has had a hand in some of the state’s most important resources.
Since joining Virginia Housing in 2015, she has held every role in the state housing finance agency’s low-income housing tax credit department, advancing to director of tax credit programs in 2023. Over the years, Flanders has helped allocate more than $7 billion to affordable housing deals across the commonwealth.
She was a key team member in developing Virginia’s first affordable housing state tax credit, working across agencies, legislative offices, investors, and developers to create a critical new resource to finance needed homes.
Flanders, 39, has also led efforts in supportive housing strategy development and the restoration of Section 811 voucher utilization to help house people with disabilities.
Earlier in her career, she worked at Virginia Supportive Housing, now SupportWorks Housing, an organization working to end homelessness through permanent housing and support services.
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is creating housing policy that I know will truly support resident well-being. I also find a lot of meaning in helping stakeholders with very different perspectives find common ground. Policy work can get complicated and requires a lot of patience. When we finally reach an outcome that I know will have a positive impact, it makes all the effort worth it.
Who or what inspires you?
What inspires me most is simply waking up each morning. Every new day feels like an opportunity to make a difference, and as long as I’m given that chance, I’m motivated to help others in whatever way I can.
What impact do you hope your work has on residents and communities?
I hope our housing policy work will make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents and the communities we serve. Every day, our team invests significant effort in designing programs, tracking outcomes, and refining approaches to affordable housing policy, but ultimately, what matters most is how residents feel. True satisfaction, stability, and a sense of dignity in their homes is the impact I hope our work delivers.
What habit or routine has contributed most to your success?
I make it a priority to listen before I speak. Taking the time to hear others’ perspectives not only strengthens relationships but leads to better decisions and more thoughtful leadership.
What has surprised you most about your work?
What has surprised me most about my work is just how deeply I’ve come to love it. While some may see it as a dry tax initiative, I find its impact both compelling and energizing.
If you could share one lesson with someone just starting their career in affordable housing, what would it be?
One lesson I’d share with anyone starting out in affordable housing is to not be afraid to pivot. If a role or path doesn’t feel right, it’s OK to try something different. This field is broad, evolving, and full of opportunities to make an impact.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I enjoy a lot of traditional hobbies like crocheting and making white oak baskets. These hobbies offer a creative balance to my extremely structured professional life.