About Us

The Vision Behind the Venture

We believe that housing is the primary infrastructure for humans to flourish. When we secure the place where people live, we stabilize everything else, from local economies to the education of our children.

Our Founder’s Story:

From Trial Law to Housing Reform

Before founding In This House, Leslie Chaggaris Vruggink established herself as an absolute force in the Texas trial bar. As a summa cum laude graduate and a high-stakes litigator, Leslie built a career on navigating the most complex legal landscapes in the country—securing nine-figure jury verdicts and successfully defending global entities like AT&T’s DIRECTV in multi-billion dollar federal trials.

With a perfect record of civil jury verdicts and recognition as one of D Magazine’s "Best Lawyers Under 40" for five consecutive years, Leslie’s legal career was defined by a relentless pursuit of results.

While Leslie’s work was rigorous, she felt a growing pull toward a different kind of advocacy. She felt drawn to the neighborhoods where working families were being priced out of their own lives.

In 2021, Leslie stepped away from her law practice with a clear realization. The Missing Middle was falling through the cracks of traditional housing tools. She founded In This House to apply her expertise in negotiation, policy, and strategic collaborations to one of Texas’s most pressing crises.

Leslie’s impact with In This House has been both immediate and sustained. In 2022, she earned recognition in the Dallas Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Business leaders for her roles as executive director and public advocate at In This House. She is currently a finalist for the 2026 D CEO Nonprofit and Corporate Citizen Award for Leadership Excellence.

“Most working families in North Texas cannot keep up with rising housing costs, which leaves them with little money left over for other basic necessities. I founded In This House to ensure that stable housing is the foundation for success, not a barrier to it.”

— Leslie Chaggaris Vruggink

Strategic Policy. Deeply Human Impact.

Our philosophy is rooted in the core belief that

proximity is power,

quality is non-negotiable,

and that the lease is only the beginning.

People should be able to live near the jobs that keep our city running. High-opportunity areas shouldn't be gated by income.

We support properties that meet the highest standards of design and durability, shattering the stigma of what affordable housing looks like. But true stability requires more than a roof. Our mission includes the active coordination of wraparound services that meet residents where they are.

Expert Led. Community Driven.

Our board brings together leaders in finance, real estate, law, and social services to ensure In This House remains a credible and effective force for change.