Homeless Connection Line Helps over 4,400 People in 2020
Feb 10, 2021
The Homeless Connection Line Helps Over 4,400 People in 2020
Richmond, VA – February 10, 2021 –
The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) served 4,461 of our most vulnerable neighbors experiencing homelessness or within three days of losing their housing via the Homeless Connection Line (HCL), according to data released from Homeward.
Those served in 2020 were directed to one of the region’s shelters or other housing resources. The newly released data from Homeward also revealed that the agency partners of the GRCoC recorded 128,762 shelter bed nights in 2020 with an average shelter stay of 44 nights.
A key entry point to the Richmond region’s coordinated homeless services network, the HCL is a vital community resource that offers trained Diversion Specialists who can assist households that are experiencing homelessness or within three days of losing their housing to problem-solve, connect to community resources, and connect to homeless assistance if needed.
Importantly, data from 2020 showed that call volume to the HCL dropped dramatically in April and May and increased rapidly beginning in July through the end of the year. These timeframes correspond with emergency stimulus funds being available to those in need and then expiring. This trend demonstrates that investments in housing stability have a direct correlation to the demand for homeless services.
The call volume data demonstrate that ensuring individuals and families have access to stable housing is the most powerful tool to eliminate homelessness.
The HCL can be reached at 804-972-0813.
Operating Monday through Friday from 8am – 9pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm – 9pm, the HCL greets all callers with a brief recording that is crucial to identify those who are truly in crisis while diverting others to more appropriate resources. Diversion Specialists prioritize those who are currently experiencing homelessness or within three days of losing their housing.
Richmond, VA – May 1, 2024 – Homeward – the planning agency for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC), a network of homeless service providers that deliver coordinated and compassionate solutions to homelessness in the Richmond region – will host its annual Best Practices Conference on Friday, May 3, 2024 at The Westin Richmond hotel in Henrico County.
From experiencing homelessness himself to now helping others who are going through similar crises, Choice East brings invaluable empathy and insight to his work at Homeward.
The last week of February, Homeward hosted a series of learning opportunities in a Best Practices in Youth Services Summit. Over two days, GRCoC partners, YAB members, and TA support staff delved into the core competency topics of youth services, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), prioritizing joy for young people, and federal grant regulations.
Unsheltered Homelessness Continues to Rise as Housing Instability Remains a Top Regional Issue.
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 Keys to Helping More People .
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 .
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 , Keys to Helping More People , and Supporting Frontline Staff .
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 Funding by The Numbers , Keys to Helping More People , and Supporting Frontline Staff.
Collecting reliable and consistent regional data about individuals and families experiencing homelessness is crucial in building an effective community-wide response.
On behalf of Homeward, we want to thank Mayor Levar Stoney, City Council President Michael Jones, Committee Chair and Councilmember Stephanie Lynch, all of the members of Richmond’s City Council, and the truly dedicated members of the City administration for making this significant and compassionate expansion of homeless assistance available. For 25 years, our community has come together across organizational and jurisdictional differences with a shared goal of reducing the crisis of homelessness.
Every donation counts.
Together, we can
end homelessness.
Useful Links
Contact info
info@homewardva.org
If you are within 3 days of losing housing, call The Homeless Connection Line: 804-972-0831 . If you are more than 3 days away from losing housing, call The Housing Resource Line: 804-422-5061