Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Incorporated in Richmond, VA

Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME of VA) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination and expanding fair housing access across Virginia. Founded on the principle that everyone deserves equal opportunity in housing, the organization addresses systemic barriers that have persisted for decades despite early fair housing legislation. HOME of VA recognizes that unequal access to housing and credit significantly contributes to wealth gaps, particularly affecting marginalized communities.

The organization operates through multiple service channels to help Virginia residents. They provide direct assistance to homebuyers interested in purchasing their first home, offer foreclosure prevention counseling for those behind on mortgage payments, conduct fair housing enforcement and investigation, and assist residents with Housing Choice voucher navigation. Additionally, HOME of VA conducts fair housing research and publishes reports documenting discriminatory practices—such as their recent report on bias and displacement in Richmond. They also operate a testing program where community members can become trained testers to identify and document housing discrimination in real-world scenarios.

What distinguishes HOME of VA is their integrated approach combining enforcement, policy advocacy, research, and direct consumer aid. Rather than focusing solely on individual case resolution, they work to change systemic practices through statewide policy work and evidence-based research. Their multi-faceted model addresses both immediate consumer needs and long-term structural change in Virginia's housing market, making them unique among fair housing organizations.

As a nonprofit relying on donations and community support, HOME of VA's service capacity and response times may be limited by available resources. While they clearly address critical housing issues, potential clients should verify current service availability and waitlists before seeking assistance. The organization is strongest for those experiencing overt discrimination or seeking policy-level change rather than routine mortgage counseling.