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Celebrate Fair Housing in April -- Regional Events Scheduled |
April marks the 43rd anniversary of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The act is intended to ensure that equal access to housing is provided for everyone, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap. To celebrate Fair Housing Month, the Department of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation (DHNP), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and all Hampton Roads cities and counties, will hold the following events:
- Thursday, April 14 - A workshop on "Partnering to Leverage Available Resources for Homeless Veterans," sponsored by the HUD Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Parks and Recreation Northampton Community Center, Virginia Room, 1435-A Todds Lane, Hampton.
- Monday, April 18 - A training session on "Fair Housing and the Rights of People with Disabilities," sponsored by the Virginia Fair Housing Office, H.O.M.E. (Housing Opportunities Made Equal) and DHNP, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach.
Both events are free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more details or to register, visit www.vbgov.com/housing. If you need fair housing assistance or advice, please contact H.O.M.E. of Virginia at (804) 354-0641 or the Virginia Fair Housing Office at 1-888-551-3247. |
| Affordable Housing Awareness Luncheon on April 28 | |
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| Winter Shelter Program Extended Through April 30 |
The Winter Shelter Program, which provides overnight shelter for the homeless at area faith organizations, has been extended through the night of April 30. This extends the normal ending of the program by three and a half weeks, so shelter can be provided during the often-challenging weather in April. Churches participating in the extension of the Winter Shelter Program are Community United Methodist, Foundry United Methodist, Tidewater United Church of Christ and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Volunteers of America (VOA), under a contract with the city, operates the Winter Shelter Program and provides transportation to the faith organizations for participants. |
| City Celebrates Opening of Judeo-Christian Outreach Center's Apartment Complex for Homeless Individuals |
 On March 16, the city and the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center (JCOC) celebrated the opening of a new 16-unit apartment complex for homeless individuals. The complex, located at 401 West Lane in Virginia Beach, will provide transitional housing for 14 homeless veterans and eight homeless persons with disabilities. Residents pay rent and have access to support services onsite to help them transition from being homeless to  living in permanent housing.
The project, which will increase the number of affordable housing options in Virginia Beach, is the result of several years of work by JCOC with assistance and funding from the city. The city played a significant role in creating the facility, by contributing $625,000 in grant money - nearly 40 percent of the total development cost - making it the largest contributor of funds toward the project. |
| City and VBCDC Celebrate 25 Years of Expanding Affordable Housing Opportunities |
The Virginia Beach City Council created the VBCDC in 1985 to enhance and expand affordable housing opportunities and to assist the city in its revitalization strategies. Through the years, the city has provided millions of dollars to the organization to create more than 300 units of affordable housing in Virginia Beach for the homeless, low-income households with developmental and mental disabilities, and seniors. Last year, VBCDC won the Virginia Housing Award for best affordable housing energy conservation effort for Beach Park West, which provides housing for 18 adults with mental illness disabilities. In 2008, the organization received the Virginia Housing Award for best housing development for Biznet Village, a group home that provides 24-hour care for those with mental or physical disabilities. |
| City Awards Grants to Organizations to Provide Basic Necessities to Single Homeless People |
 The city recently awarded $28,000 in Homeless Support Grant funds for activities that benefit the homeless. The funds are being used to provide basic necessities and services for single homeless individuals who live in the Oceanfront area, such as medications, transportation and identification assistance.
"Nonprofit agencies are being stretched to serve more people in need every day with fewer resources," said Debbie Maloney, director of the Lighthouse Center, which is operated by VOA. "This funding will make such a difference in expanding the limited resources for agencies serving the homeless community as we work to increase the quality of people's lives and help them become self-sufficient."
The Homeless Support Grant is part of the $175,000 in new funds for homelessness that the City Council appropriated on Oct. 12. In addition to providing this assistance, the new funds will be used to address medical care needs and to develop a regional Healing Place project, which would provide shelter, transitional housing and recovery for homeless people with substance abuse issues. |
| Preliminary Report for 2011 Point-in-Time Count of Homeless Available |
On Jan. 26-27, the city conducted the annual Point-in-Time Count of homeless individuals and families in Virginia Beach. Preliminary results show that 453 individuals and families were either unsheltered or staying in emergency shelter or transitional housing during the 24-hour period of the count, compared to a total of 517 in 2010. This number is expected to change as the city is still awaiting additional results from other service providers that assist the homeless. While the total number appears to have decreased, 92 single adults were found to be without shelter the night of the count, a 14.5% increase from last year. A final and detailed report will be released once the data are completed and analyzed.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that we conduct the Point-in-Time Count to receive federal funds through the Continuum of Care. Each year, more than $1 million is granted through the Continuum of Care to Virginia Beach agencies that provide emergency housing and services to the homeless. |
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Come learn about new affordable housing projects and enjoy a complimentary lunch at the Town Center City Club on Thursday, April 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. The Town Center City Club is located at 222 Central Park Ave., Suite 230 in Virginia Beach. The event is sponsored by 
25th anniversary of providing affordable housing and services to low- and moderate-income citizens of Virginia Beach.