Homeward Hosted Best Practices Conference and Released New Homelessness Data

More than 150 attendees, including public and private partners, gathered to learn together and recognize the collective impact of our region’s coordinated response to homelessness.

As part of the conference, Homeward shared data representing our region’s response to homelessness and its collective impact. Among the highlights were that the region’s coordinated entry system served 5,965 people from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Emergency shelter partners served more than 3,000 people from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. As a result of these efforts, fewer people were living outdoors in our community this year than in the past six years.

Notably, these collaborative efforts have a long-term impact. Homeward reported that 80 percent of people who exited shelters and other programs did not return to homelessness within a one-year period.

The conference brought together homeless service providers, funders, advocates, and others. Workshops focused on connecting people facing homelessness to federal, state, and local supportive services, including addiction resources, youth employment programs, and school-based resources.

Additional topics included sessions about affordable housing policies and how our regional network can support the efforts to increase deeply affordable housing in the Greater Richmond area. Attendees also learned about eviction prevention and policies at this critical time.

Front line homeless services workers were recognized at the conference as well. Their herculean efforts during the past two and half years saved lives and supported our region’s most vulnerable neighbors.

Guy Chapman, Chair of Homeward’s Board of Directors, publicly honored Kelly King Horne for 15 years of service as Homeward’s Executive Director at a special event following the conference.

For additional information about the Best Practices Conference, please email info@homewardva.org.