Homeward Releases Data on Individuals and Families Served in 2020
Jan 22, 2021
Homeward Releases Data on Individuals and Families Served in 2020
Homeward today has released new, verified data on the number of people served in 2020 by coordinated shelter programs and the Homeless Connection Line (HCL). Homeward and its partner agencies served thousands of our most vulnerable neighbors during an especially challenging year.
Emergency shelters served 2,927 people in 2020. More than 128,000 shelter bed nights were recorded and 1,274 people who were served reported that their last residence was not meant for habitation.
Total call volume for the HCL was more than 52,000 calls in 2020. Although not unique callers -- some individuals called multiple times -- this volume highlights the increased need for homeless services and support last year. In 2020, the HCL served 4,461 people who were homeless or within three days of losing their housing. HCL Diversion Specialists connected these individuals to housing resources, permanent housing, and shelter programs.
Data about the shelter programs and HCL was collected from the shared confidential database used by the homeless services network. This data meets or exceeds federal requirements for data collection and service coordination to address homelessness. This data includes single adults and family units that include adults and children.
The HCL offers trained Diversion Specialists who can assist households within three days of losing their housing to problem-solve, connect to community resources, and connect to homeless assistance if needed.
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.
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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