Addressing Homelessness: Keys to Helping More People
Kelly King Horne • February 14, 2024
This post is part of a series that explores the ways in which the Richmond region addresses homelessness and provides context on how our collaborative and regional network operates. You can access other posts in this series on Access Versus Resources, Funding by The Numbers, and Supporting Frontline Staff.
We cannot give people what we do not have.
The HCL cannot provide immediate relief if that immediate relief does not exist. The HCL cannot solve the decades of underinvestment in housing that is affordable for people with children, persons with disabilities, and older adults finding themselves without options for safe and decent housing, and many others.
So, what will help move the needle in addressing homelessness in our region?
- Support existing GRCoC homeless assistance programs.
- Advocate for increasing local public sector investments to support year-round and seasonal shelter programs.
- Share your concerns with legislators working now at the General Assembly to pilot rental assistance programs to support families with children.
As the Richmond region continues to become a more expensive place to call home, we see elevated rates of poverty, housing instability, and homelessness.
The Richmond region got its first blast of winter recently. As the winter season approaches, we all brace for cold days and colder nights. Winter is always an especially difficult time for our neighbors pushed into homelessness. Homeward staff have been working diligently with Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) partners to prepare for the additional challenges that come with cold weather.
As we recognize Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week from November 16th – 22nd, we’re reminded of the important role that emergency shelters play in our region’s coordinated and collaborative response to homelessness. In fact, many people are often surprised to learn how many emergency shelters operate throughout our region and the number of meals they provide.
Act Now to Preserve Critical CoC Federal Funding
At Homeward, we believe that all people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, especially individuals and families experiencing homelessness. They are our neighbors and members of our community. We all face varying levels of crisis and hardship throughout our lives, some of us more than others.
Housing works. We just don’t have enough.
This past week, case conferencing looked a little different - and the impact was undeniable. As we navigate a year filled with uncertainty and change, our team wanted to try something more intentional and focused. Instead of our usual agenda, we decided to zoom in on the top 8 individuals who have been staying the longest in emergency shelter across our CoC. These are often the most complex cases, where progress can feel slow and housing solutions hard to find. But we believed that by rallying more intentionally around them, we might be able to move the needle.
Sometimes, it’s the unexpected moments that reveal the strength of a system—and the compassion behind it.
“I truly enjoy helping people navigate through different circumstances and creating a space for them to be seen and heard.”
"In every aspect of homeless services, the principal question is always how decisions will impact someone who is currently experiencing homelessness."
