2026 Leckey Forum & Regional Housing Leader Awards
September 24, 2026 | Trajectory Event Center | Herndon, Virginia
Thank you to the housing leaders, partners, advocates, and community members who joined us for the 2026 Leckey Forum & Regional Housing Leaders Awards. This year’s event brought Northern Virginia’s housing community together for an afternoon of policy discussion, connection, and celebration.
2026 LECKEY FORUM
Each year, the Leckey Forum brings Northern Virginia’s housing community together to dig into the issues shaping our region and the decisions ahead. In 2026, the conversation stretched from major changes in federal housing policy to one of the most persistent challenges facing affordable housing locally: what happens when “affordable” still is not affordable for many of the people who live and work here?
LECKEY FORUM PANEL 1: FEDERAL HOUSING UPDATES
The opening forum discussion examined major federal housing policy developments, including the ROAD to Housing Act, Duty to Serve, and changes to the Community Reinvestment Act. Speakers also explored what these shifts could mean for housing supply and affordability in Northern Virginia and across the Commonwealth.
Nate Shultz
Senior Vice President of Policy at the National Housing Conference
Nate Schultz is Senior Vice President of Policy at the National Housing Conference and a member of the Virginia Housing Board of Commissioners. His career spans federal housing policy, mortgage finance, and affordable housing, with experience at Freddie Mac, HUD, Fannie Mae, and other housing institutions.
Monique Johnson, Ph.D.
Chief of Programs at Virginia Housing
Monique Johnson is Chief of Programs at Virginia Housing, where she helps lead programs that expand access to affordable housing across the Commonwealth. Her work focuses on housing policy, program development, and partnerships that support stronger communities.
Josh Veverka
Vice President of Government Affairs at the Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS®
Josh Veverka is Vice President of Government Affairs at the Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS®. He leads NVAR’s advocacy work on housing, land use, and public policy issues affecting homeowners, renters, and the region’s housing market.
LECKEY FORUM PANEL 2: WHEN AFFORDABLE ISN’T AFFORDABLE — UNDERSTANDING THE AMI DISCONNECT
The second panel focused on the gap between rents considered affordable at common Area Median Income benchmarks and what many Northern Virginia households can realistically afford. Speakers discussed how that disconnect affects workers, families, renters, affordable housing providers, and local governments trying to meet increasingly complex housing needs.
Mike Spotts
Moderator
Mike Spotts is Vice President of Real Estate Development at Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. & Northern Virginia and serves on the NVAHA Board of Directors. His work focuses on affordable homeownership, housing development, and expanding housing opportunities across the region.
Evelin Urrutia
Executive Director of Tenants and Workers United
Evelin Urrutia is the Executive Director of Tenants and Workers United, where she works alongside residents on housing stability, tenant protections, and displacement. Her work centers the experiences of low-income and immigrant families across Northern Virginia.
Tamara Jovovic
Acting Division Chief for Housing Development at the Office of Housing at the City of Alexandria
Tamara Jovovic serves with the City of Alexandria’s Office of Housing, where she works on affordable housing policy, programs, and development initiatives. Her work supports the City’s efforts to preserve affordability and expand housing opportunities for residents.
Mitch Crispell
Director of Real Estate Development, True Ground Housing Partners
Mitch Crispell is Director of Real Estate Development with True Ground Housing Partners, where he works on affordable housing development and preservation. His work focuses on creating and maintaining housing that remains accessible to households across a range of incomes.
Brittany Webb
Senior Research Director at the National Housing Conference (NHC)
Brittany Webb is the Senior Research Director at the National Housing Conference (NHC). Her work focuses on affordable housing policy, research, and the economic conditions shaping housing access and affordability.
Mary Hynes
Consultant, Arlington Community Foundation
Mary Hynes is a longtime civic and housing leader in Northern Virginia and currently serves with the Arlington Community Foundation. Her work has focused on regional collaboration, community investment, and expanding housing opportunities throughout Arlington and the broader region.
2026 REGIONAL HOUSING LEADER AWARDS
The Regional Housing Leaders Awards recognize individuals and organizations making a meaningful impact on housing across Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth. The 2026 honorees were selected for their leadership, advocacy, investment, and commitment to expanding housing opportunities and strengthening communities.
This year’s awards recognized the Virginia Housing Alliance, Commonwealth Housing Coalition, Josh Childs, and Capital One for their contributions to affordable housing policy, emerging leadership, and community investment.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
The 2026 Leckey Forum & Regional Housing Leaders Awards was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. Their partnership helps NVAHA bring together housing professionals, advocates, community leaders, and partners from across Northern Virginia.
