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Dear Friends,
Welcome to the newest edition of VCEH's monthly newsletter! Exciting things are going on in and around our state of Virginia and VCEH is pleased to keep you updated on some of the latest news and events!
Sincerely,
Phyllis and Robin
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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Virginia Housing Trust Fund Advocacy Heats Up
The Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH) has partnered with the Virginia Housing Coalition, Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of Virginia, Inc, Habitat Virginia, Virginia LISC and others to support the creation of a Virginia Housing Trust Fund. A housing trust fund is an ongoing and dedicated source of public funding to support the preservation and production of affordable housing opportunities for low to moderate income families and individuals, including those experiencing and at risk of homelessness.
We are advocating for a housing trust fund that pays particular attention to the housing needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. We will provide information and updates on progress to create and fund this desperately needed resource.
A report detailing the economic impact that a Housing Trust Fund would have on Virginia is slated to be released at a breakfast meeting in Richmond on September 8. The report is being prepared by Chmura Economics and Analytics, a respected Richmond consulting firm. Chris Chmura will present the findings of the report and answer questions about the report. Members of the General Assembly and the administration have been invited to speak and comment on the prospects for a Housing Trust Fund in the upcoming session. The session will be held on the 24th floor of the Suntrust building located at 919 East Main Street in downtown Richmond. A press conference will be held immediately after the event.
Click to register...
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PSH: 1,000 HOMES UPDATES
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Statewide Meeting
On Thursday, November 3rd in Richmond VCEH will host a statewide meeting which will cover state policy issues, offer opportunities for people to share lessons learned, as well as some workshops. All 1,000 Homes participating communities members as well as those communities that are interested in joining are invited! Stay tuned for the invitation!
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Richmond Houses First Vulnerable Individual
The Richmond 1,000 Homes team led the way by conducting the first Registry Week in Virginia on August 1st through 5th.VCEH Program Manager Robin Gahan had the opportunity to participate and had the unique experience of leading a group of volunteers into the streets at 4am to identify some of Richmond's most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness.
218 homeless individuals in the Greater Richmond region were surveyed and 118, or 54.1% percent, are considered vulnerable. Thirty-one of those identified as vulnerable are veterans. Virginia Supportive Housing has committed to housing 45 vulnerable individuals identified through the campaign.
On Thursday, August 25th 1,000 Homes Richmond officially housed the first vulnerable individual. Bruce Henshaw, a 60-year old veteran, now has a home as a result of the 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians campaign. Bruce had been homeless and living on the streets of Richmond for three years, but now has his very own apartment.
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Arlington Registry Week
Arlington is gearing up for their "100 Homes Arlington" Registry Week beginning October 16. Opportunities for volunteering and sponsorship are available! Click here for more information on how to get involved!
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Statewide Vulnerability Index Questions
Thank you to those participating communities who provided feedback on questions for the Vulnerability Index that will be used statewide.
The following two questions have been selected and will need to be included in each participating communities Vulnerability Index. A third question was favored and we want to provide each community the option to adopt the question, but it is not required.
1. What is the primary reason you became homeless?
2. How long have you lived in this area?
3. Are you a combat veteran?
As a reminder - the index and database allow for the addition of 5 questions (2 statewide and 3 customized per community). For additional details, please contact Robin Gahan at robin@vceh.org
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RAPID RE-HOUSING
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VCEH to Release Rapid Re-Housing Report
This fall, VCEH will release a report on the experience of 9 communities (including 20 municipalities) with rapid re-housing. The agencies surveyed span 20 jurisdictions which include: Arlington County, Chesapeake, Chesterfield County, Danville, Fairfax County, Floyd County, Franklin County, Giles County, Henrico County, Henry County, Martinsville, Montgomery County, Norfolk, Patrick County, Pittsylvania County, Pulaski County, Radford, Richmond, Roanoke, and Virginia Beach.
We are using this report to inform future program and public policy decisions based on the real experience of Virginia providers. We continue to learn from service providers in Virginia on how to use rapid re-housing to end homelessness for families and individuals. Our goal is to assist communities in continuing and increasing the provision of rapid re-housing.
Stay tuned!
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DHCD Announces Rapid Re-Housing Grantees
VCEH would like to congratulate the agencies that were recen
tly awarded funding from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for rapid re-housing. Rapid re-housing is a priority for VCEH; it has been proven to be successful in ending homelessness for families and individuals. We look forward to the lessons learned through this grant to inform future program and policy decisions.
Earlier this year, DHCD announced that it would redirect a portion ($1 million) of the State Shelter Grant funding and make the funds available for the "Virginia Promising Practices Program" to provide rapid re-housing services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. This program was created to align with the goals of the Commonwealth's plan to reduce homelessness and to align with national best practices.
Award Recipients: Arlington County Government; Choices, Council on Domestic Violence for Page County, Inc.; Culpeper Community Development Corporation; Family Crisis Support Services, Inc.; Family Resource Center, Inc.; ForKids, Inc.; Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board; Harmony Place; Help and Emergency Response, Inc.; Loudoun County Department of Family Services; Mercy House, Inc.; New River Family Shelter; Northern Virginia Family Service; People Incorporated of Virginia; Reston Interfaith Inc.; Samaritan House, Inc.; St Joseph's Villa; Transitions Family Violence Services; Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley, Inc.
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PUBLIC POLICY
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Virginia Statewide
Permanent Supportive Housing Tour
Throughout the month of September and into October, VCEH will conduct its first statewide housing tour to increase awareness of the success of permanent supportive housing and engage state legislators to ensure that ending homelessness remains a priority.
VCEH has partnered with Virginia Supportive Housing, the Arlington County 10 Year Plan Implementation Task Force, and the City of Norfolk's Office to End Homelessness to conduct housing tours in Richmond, Arlington, and Norfolk.
Richmond, Wednesday, September 14th
10:00 am - 12:00 pm at South Richmond Apartments
Arlington, Tuesday, September 27th
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at the Gates of Ballston
Norfolk, Wednesday, October 5th
10:00 am - 12:00 pm at Gosnold Apartments
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Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis Report
The Commonwealth Institute recently released a report, In the Red, which reports the estimated $800 million budget shortfall for 2012-2014. According to the institute, "Despite years of cuts to public services and slowly rebounding state revenues, Virginia faces an estimate budget shortfall of more than $800 million." Click here for the full report.
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Campaign for a Virginia Housing Trust Fund
On August 25, the Campaign sponsored a "Help Build a Housing Trust Fund" webinar in which advocates, providers, policymakers, consumers and industry representatives from across the state were invited to participate. The webinar offered some information about the basics of a housing trust fund, but primarily served as a means for participants to express their views through live on-line surveys. Advice was sought from participants related to:
- Local housing gaps and needs
- Types of assistance an HTF should offer
- Priorities and targeting
- Administrative features
- Sources of funding
The Campaign will use the information provided to continue to education of General Assembly members about the need and impact of a Housing Trust Fund. To review the available PowerPoint, check out VCEH's website and see the link under the "What's New" section.
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| WHERE WE'VE BEEN | |
VCEH gets around the state to visit with our partners, attend events, facilitate or host meetings, and more.
Here's what we were up to in August!
Richmond for participation in the 1,000 Homes Richmond Registry Week and community debriefing.
Suffolk for a meeting with Delegate Chris Jones to discuss the work of VCEH and its members and the impact on his constituents.
Richmond for the Virginia Homeless Coordinating Council to review progress on state plan to reduce homelessness.
On the phone for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund webinar.
Richmond for reception at the Governor's Mansion to honor housing advocates.
Reston for a meeting with Senator Janet Howell to discuss the work of VCEH including the 1,000 Homes initiative and efforts to advance best practices including permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing.
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MEMBERSHIP
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Support us, so we can support you!
We rely on memberships so that we can continue to support your work to prevent and end homelessness in Virginia. Your membership supports our work to make ending homelessness a higher priority in the Commonwealth.
Have you received your annual membership renewal letter? If so, please renew! If you are unsure whether or not your membership is due, email vceh@vceh.org
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ABOUT US
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The Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness is the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in the Commonwealth of Virginia through community collaboration, capacity building, education, and advocacy.
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