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Our Website / Newsletter Archive                                                                    July/August 2011

City to Host Public Forums on Homelessness

no vacancyHousing & Neighborhood Preservation will host a series of public forums regarding the issue of homelessness in the city. The first will be held Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Beach Fellowship Church, 1817 General Booth Blvd. An agenda can be found online at www.vbgov.com/housing.

The forums will give service providers and citizens an opportunity to discuss key concerns, share ideas and collectively develop solutions to resolve those concerns. The meetings are not intended to address new sites for the Lighthouse Center or criteria for selecting a suitable site.

"We want participants to engage in an open dialogue on how service providers and the city can best help the homeless, while making a positive impact on related issues that residents face," said Andrew Friedman, director of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation. "During the series, attendees will be able to shape the discussion and set goals regarding this issue."

To attend, contact Natalie Anderson at (757) 385-5814. For persons with disabilities, please specify if special accommodations are needed. Details for the next meetings will be announced at a later date.

It's more than Luck...Cloverleaf Changes Lives

cloverleafFive years ago, two hit-and-run accidents left Molly injured with a broken leg and back. Unable to continue working, she quickly found herself homeless, spending nights sleeping in a church parking lot. Today, she has her own place complete with a twin-size bed, kitchenette, closet and bathroom. Her children's pictures sit atop a small desk on one side of her modest efficiency apartment. At first glance Molly's home might not seem like much, but to her it means everything. "To me, this is a mansion. "It's just a blessing," says Molly. "If it wasn't for Cloverleaf, I would probably still be on the street. It has changed my life dramatically."  

  

Now a resident for almost a year, she is a co-founder of Hope in the Upper Room, a non-profit organization comprised of homeless individuals, faith organizations, city agencies and citizens who give back to the community.

 
Since opening in Virginia Beach in November 2008, Cloverleaf has changed the lives of more than 60 formerly homeless individuals - giving them a place to call home and an opportunity to start a new life. It provides permanent housing for homeless single adults who live in their own efficiency apartments, pay rent and have access to on-site counseling and case management services. They are also connected to other resources, training and employment opportunities.

Read Full Story  

Virginia Beach Launches Housing Crisis Resource Center
phoneConnection Point of Virginia Beach, a centralized information and referral center, is now available to assist the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless or experiencing a housing crisis. Citizens can access the center at (757) 227-5932, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Callers will receive information, eligibility screening and direct referrals to local agencies that can provide emergency housing and financial assistance.
connection point logo
Connection Point of Virginia Beach will simplify the process for people to locate and access services in the city and ensure they are connected to the right services. The center cannot admit callers to programs, but it can refer them to only the programs they are eligible for and that meet their needs.
 

More Information on Housing Emergency and Homeless Assistance

Home Repair Shouldn't Be a Luxury...and It Doesn't Have to Be

Grants and Loans Available for Home Repair, Energy Efficiency Improvements

home rehab beforeYour home is your castle -- one of your most valuable investments. Keeping your home in good repair protects your investment and helps everyone enjoy a better quality of life. However, sometimes it's difficult to afford necessary repairs and improvements. Housing & Neighborhood Preservation can help through our Home Rehabilitation Program.  
 
The program provides eligible homeowners with a zero interest, zero APR deferred loan to make necessary repairs and improvements. It home rehab aftercan also provide a one-time-only grant up to  $10,000 to make energy efficiency improvements, such as window replacements, insulation upgrades, HVAC system replacements and water conservation upgrades.

Additional eligibility requirements apply and assistance is based on availability of funding. Contact Olin Walden at 385-5760 to see if you qualify or visit www.vbgov.com/housing for more information.
City Still Accepting Applications for Workforce Housing Program
houseHousing & Neighborhood Preservation is still accepting applications for the opportunity to purchase a workforce housing unit. Eligible applicants will be placed on a waiting list. To be eligible, households must live or work full-time in Virginia Beach, cannot own other real estate, and meet income and asset restrictions. Households must also be able to pre-qualify for a first mortgage in the low $200,000 range.
 
On March 8, the City Council approved a rezoning application submitted by Geo Development Corporation for Riverlake, the city's first development under the Workforce Housing Ordinance. Once completed, the development will consist of 42 single-family homes, seven of which will be sold to eligible buyers through the Workforce Housing Program. The workforce housing units will be nearly indistinguishable from the other units and will be evenly distributed throughout the development.
 
For more information about the Workforce Housing Program and the eligibility requirements for homebuyers, contact Cheryl Smith at (757) 385-5742 or click here.

How to Apply 

Graffiti Abatement Partnership Results in Cost Savings to City
graffiti beforeThanks to the partnership between the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office and Housing & Neighborhood Preservation on the Graffiti Abatement Program, the city was able to save approximately $7,729 in fiscal year 2010-11. The city has also seen a decline in the number of graffiti cases during the last several years - a testament to the effectiveness of the program. Last year, 131 graffiti abatement jobs were completed, compared to 161 and 214 cases in fiscal years 2009-10 and 2008-09 respectively.
 
"The efforts of the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office and its Community Work Force have contributed to the continued decline in the number of graffiti incidences on private property. Prompt removal of graffiti is the overall key to ensuring defacement does not return in the same location," says Wells Freed, the city's housing code administrator. "The coordination by the Sheriff's Community Work Force staff to remove graffiti within a matter of days and the quality of their abatement work are excellent. We greatlygraffiti after appreciate their willingness to continue providing this service to our residents."

The partnership between the two agencies began in July 2010 after funding for the program was discontinued for fiscal year 2010-11. This allowed the city to continue offering free graffiti removal services to residents at no labor cost to the city. Through the Graffiti Abatement Program, Housing & Neighborhood Preservation's Code Enforcement Division can arrange for the Sheriff's Office Community Work Force to remove the graffiti by power washing or painting over the defacement. 
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