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Vbgov.com/housing                                                                               January / February 2012
Year-in-Review
2011 was a challenging, yet successful year for Housing & Neighborhood Preservation. Thanks to federal stimulus funds, we were able to assist many more homeless families and individuals, and others experiencing hard times during this tough economy. We worked with our partner organizations to launch a new housing resource and create more affordable housing in the city. And we continued to help keep Virginia Beach a "Community for a Lifetime" by ensuring the city's homes and neighborhoods are safe, vibrant and well-maintained.

Highlighted below are some of our accomplishments and activities during the year.
Promoting Vibrant, Well-Maintained Neighborhoods
  

Addressed 33,832 total code violations, including:

  • 6,687 overgrown grass cases 
  • 7,107 accumulation of trash and junk cases 
  • 3,337 inoperable vehicle cases
  • 96 unsafe structures
  • 970 recreational equipment storage violations*
  • 313 commercial vehicle parking violations*

* Enforcement duties were transitioned from the Planning Department's Zoning Division to Code Enforcement in July. 

  

hotelmoteltaskforce  

Hotel Motel Inspection Task Force inspected 117 hotels and motels throughout the city (1,138 total rooms). The task force received a National Tourism Week Award for going "above and beyond" to make Virginia Beach a place people want to visit year after year.  

  
Expanding Housing Opportunities
  
connection point logo
Launched Connection Point of Virginia Beach (757-227-5932), a centralized information and referral center to assist the homeless or those experiencing a housing crisis.
  
Prevented and ended homelessness for 250+ households, including 60 disabled veterans and their families.
  
Donation Meter
"Power of Change" Donation Meter Pilot Program generated $7,032, which was combined with $25,000 in Homeless Support Grant funds to provide direct assistance to hundreds of homeless persons in Virginia Beach, including:
  • 1,195 bus tickets for travel to employment, educational opportunities, medical treatment, housing-related searches, etc.
  • 263 prescriptions filled for 116 different individuals  
  • Identification cards for 226 individuals
  • Distribution of basic survival supplies

The City Council approved extending the program for two more years and to add eight more donation meters, if necessary.

  
riverlake site rendering
The City Council approved Riverlake, the city's first workforce housing development. 
  
Rehabilitated seven units of affordable housing for the Samaritan House Horizon's project using $235,000 in HOME funds.   
  
Provided housing counseling to 500+ citizens in crisis housing situations. 

Continued partnership with Sheriff's Work Force to offer free graffiti abatement services for residents. Abated 120 incidences of graffiti on private property and saved city approximately $6,700+.  

  

Conducted 1,655 Certificate of Compliance rental inspections and collected $72,350 in revenue to support the program. 

  

Conducted 2,493 rental housing inspections. 

  
rehab before after
rehab before after
Rehabilitated 21 homes to bring them into code compliance, reduce future maintenance costs and improve energy efficiency and accessibility.




westlane
Judeo-Christian Outreach Center's West Lane apartment complex was completed, providing permanent supportive housing for 14 homeless veterans and eight disabled homeless persons. The city contributed $625,000 towards the project. 
  
projectconnect2 
2010-project-connect
Connected 350+ homeless individuals and families to housing resources and other services during Project Connect.
  
Assisted 2,100+ families in obtaining or maintaining safe, affordable and decent rental housing through the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
  
Rated "High Performing" housing agency by HUD for 3rd consecutive year.
  
Began process to create a campus for new homeless shelter and services.   
  
Giving Back
fooddrive
Donated 1,720 pounds of food -- more than any other department for the 2nd consecutive year -- during the city employee food drive for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. 
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fair housing logoVirginia Beach Housing and Neighborhood Preservation does business in accordance with the federal fair housing law and Section 504 program accessibility requirements. The department complies with the Fair Housing Act and provides reasonable accommodations and modifications to persons with disabilities. The department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin in admission or access to its programs.