January Point in Time Count Shows Large Increase in Region's Homeless Population
Feb 17, 2021
Response from Greater Richmond Continuum of Care in 2020 Prevented Even Steeper Spike
Richmond, VA – February 17, 2021 – Data from the January 2021 Point in Time (PIT) count show that the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Richmond region increased by 53 percent year-over-year, from 546 people in January 2020 to 838 people in January 2021.
The January 2021 PIT count recorded the largest number of people experiencing homelessness since 2014. The rise in homelessness across the region is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuing financial crisis, and significant reduction in rental vacancies.
Notably, the PIT count showed a 25 percent decrease in the number of unsheltered people in our region, highlighting the successful efforts of Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) partner agencies in providing safe, indoor accommodations for our most vulnerable neighbors during the pandemic.
Although there was an expected rise in those experiencing homeless, GRCoC efforts and increased resources for homeless services in 2020 prevented a much steeper spike and more significant regional crisis.
Comparing today’s environment to the most recent financial crisis in 2009, the data demonstrate that our region’s coordinated system was more effective than during that crisis. There are 27% fewer people experiencing homelessness in our region in January 2021 than in January 2009. Program improvements and greater coordination are key factors in the GRCoC’s ability to respond to the current crises.
The graph below includes data from January PIT counts from 2009 through 2021, demonstrating a consistent decline in homelessness. Even though 2021 experienced a significant increase in those experiencing homelessness due to the pandemic, the number of people in shelters or sleeping outside is still lower than many previous years.
Conducted by Homeward, the federally-mandated PIT count took place on January 27, 2021 and includes individuals and families staying in shelters and living outside. This single day count provides a snapshot of changes and trends over time.
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.
Margot Ackermann, Ph.D. is a self-described data enthusiast. At Homeward, she’s particularly proud of using data to help improve the world in tangible ways. Her incredible efforts and enormous impact were honored on November 16th at the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference in Hampton. Margot was the inaugural recipient of the Housing Leadership Award. We may be a little biased, but we can’t think of anyone more deserving of this accolade than Margot.
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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