The Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND) recently awarded the 2024 Housing Achievement Emerging Leader Award to Lee Goldstein, director of strategic initiatives for Volunteers of America National Services. VOANS is Volunteers of America’s national affordable housing and healthcare subsidiary. This recognition celebrates an individual under the age of 40 who has an exemplary dedication to, and notable achievements in, the mission of preserving or developing affordable housing in their respective field. Goldstein accepted the award on June 13 at the 33rd Annual HAND Honors ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
“This award is a tremendous honor, but the true reward is seeing VOA’s strategic initiatives come to life and propel the mission of the organization forward,” said Goldstein. “VOA’s future is bright, and we look forward to continuing our work in the affordable housing sector and contributing to the larger conversation about innovative housing solutions.”
This recognition from HAND highlights Goldstein’s significant contributions to the VOANS Housing Development team over the past few years. He was also recognized for his strategic vision and policy leadership in the affordable housing sector. Additionally, he is the creator of the Innovative Dwellings initiative which showcased his ability to approach the housing crisis with creative solutions.
As Director of Strategic Initiatives and Development for VOANS, Goldstein is responsible for spearheading special projects, managing strategic philanthropic efforts and cultivating relationships amongst VOA’s network of 30 affiliates across the country. He leads key housing development transactions, including the development of VOA’s new corporate headquarters co-located with 110 affordable homes for seniors in the Buzzard Point neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Goldstein also advances key housing innovations, public policy priorities and the integration of housing and healthcare that supports and benefits the VOANS mission across its national portfolio of more than 13,000 homes. Goldstein holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and a Master of Public Administration in Urban Policy from the George Washington University and is a graduate of ULI Washington’s Regional Land Use Leadership Institute.
HAND is a nonprofit membership collective working across the private, public and social sectors to collaborate in the production and preservation of affordable housing in the Capital Region of Baltimore, Washington and Richmond.
For more information on VOA and VOANS, visit www.voa.org or www.voans.org.
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About Volunteers of America National Services
VOANS, a subsidiary of Volunteers of America, provides affordable housing and healthcare services in over 40 states and Puerto Rico. The organization employs over 2,000 professionals who provide high quality services and care to clients. As one of the largest non-profit affordable housing owners/operators in the nation, VOANS has over 240 properties and approximately 14,500 affordable housing units. VOANS also operates over 46 senior healthcare programs, including skilled nursing, assisted living, home health care, adult day and Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Learn more at www.voans.org.
About Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is one of the nation’s largest, established comprehensive human services organizations with 16,000 mission-driven professionals, dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Founded in 1896, the faith-based nonprofit has programs in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, serving more than 1.5 million people a year. Learn more at www.voa.org.