Virginia’s Homeless Programs, 2022-2023 Program Year: A Report to the House Appropriations and Senate Finance
Summary
Virginia's Homeless Programs 2022-2023 Program Year, a report to the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) under HB 6001, Budget Item B of the 2023 Special Session I Virginia Acts of Assembly, Chapter 1. The executive summary states that Virginia saw a 4% increase in the overall number of people experiencing homelessness in the Point-in-Time count, based on preliminary reporting. It states that DHCD administers approximately $17 million annually in state and federal funding, plus the State Housing Trust Fund Homeless Reduction Grant. The closing section states that since 2010 overall homelessness decreased by 25 percent and veteran homelessness decreased by 59 percent (since 2011).
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“Virginia’s Homeless Programs, 2022-2023 Program Year: A Report to the House Appropriations and Senate Finance.”
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Virginia’s Homeless Programs
2022-2023
Program Year
A Report to the
House Appropriations
And
Senate Finance and Appropriations
Committees
Main Street Centre
600 East Main Street, Suite 300
Richmond, VA 23219
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................... 3
WHAT THE DATA SHOWS ................................................................................. 4
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE MEASURES ............................................................................................................ 7
HOMELESS DATA INTEGRATION PROJECT (HDIP)....................................................................................... 7
HOMELESS PROGRAMS .................................................................................... 8
VIRGINIA HOMELESS SOLUTIONS PROGRAM ............................................................................................... 9
Emergency Shelter ............................................................................................................................... 12
Rapid Re-housing................................................................................................................................. 17
Homeless Prevention ........................................................................................................................... 23
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS/HIV (HOPWA) ...................................................... 30
HOUSING TRUST FUND - HOMELESS REDUCTION GRANT .......................................................................... 32
Underserved Population Invocation Pilot projects (UPIP) ................................................................... 38
COVID-RELATED FUNDING ...................................................................................................................... 38
CONCLUSION .................................................................................................... 40
This report serves to report overall conditions and progress made related to the
administration of the State’s homeless programs in compliance with HB 6001,
Budget Item 114 B of the 2023 Special Session I Virginia Acts of Assembly, Chapter 1. B.
The department shall report to the Chairs of the Senate Finance and Appropriations, the
House Appropriations Committees, and the Director, Department of Planning and Budget,
by November 4 of each year on the state's homeless programs, including, but not limited
to, the number of (i) emergency shelter beds, (ii) transitional housing units, (iii) single room
occupancy dwellings, (iv) homeless intervention programs, (v) homeless prevention
programs, and (vi) the number of homeless individuals supported by the permanent
housing state funding on a locality and statewide basis and the accomplishments achieved
by the additional state funding provided to the program. The report shall also include the
number of Virginians served by these programs, the costs of the programs, and the
financial and in-kind support provided by localities and nonprofit groups in these
programs. In preparing the report, the department shall consult with localities and
community-based groups.
2
Executive Summary
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) plays an integral role
in Virginia’s response to homelessness. DHCD continues to be a crucial resource to
communities across the commonwealth allowing persons who are homeless to access
resources with the goal of obtaining permanent housing as quickly as possible.
During FY23, DHCD continued working with and providing resources to Continua of Care
(CoCs) to address needs related to COVID-19 as well as re-establishing normal protocols
for post-COVID-19. DHCD continued to manage federal COVID relief funds and it is
expected these funds will be spent by the end of FY24. With these additional resources,
more people have been able to access the Crisis Homeless Response System; however,
these funds have been spent in many communities and the need continues to increase.
Virginia saw a 4% increase in overall number of people experiencing homelessness in the
Point-in-Time count (based on preliminary reporting) between 2022-20231.
Based on evidence from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, access to affordable
housing is the most significant reason for homelessness. The reason for homelessness
becomes a supply and demand issue in the national housing market that is also evident
in Virginia.
Across the commonwealth, 254,821 (24%) renter households are extremely low income
(ELI), meaning they have incomes under $30,280 for a household of four. This represents
a shortage of 174,187 rental units affordable and available for extremely low-income
renters. Seventy-eight percent of all ELI renters were cost-burdened, and of these ELI
renters, 38% were in the labor force, 27% were seniors, 18% had disabilities, 5% were
enrolled in school full-time, and 3% were single caregivers2.
DHCD administers the Commonwealth of Virginia’s homeless assistance resources. These
resources include approximately $17 million annually in state and federal funding as well
as the State Housing Trust Fund Homeless Reduction Grant and the remainder of the
COVID Relief Funds.
In the spring of 2022, DHCD held a competitive application process for the Virginia
Homeless Solutions Program (VHSP). The grant application combined state and federal
funding sources (HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grant and Housing Opportunities for
Persons with AIDS/HIV along with State General Funds for homeless assistance and
homeless prevention). To apply and receive these funds, communities were required to
complete a community-based application that demonstrated an effective crisis response
system designed to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. These applications
were scored according to need, outcomes, approach/use of best practices, local
coordination, and capacity.
1
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will not release the official Point-in-Time count until later in
2023 or early 2024.
2
https://nlihc.org/housing-needs-by-state/virginia
3
What the Data Shows
DHCD’s strategies continue to show measured success. Currently, the rate of
homelessness per 10,000 on average in Virginia is 7.5 and remains the fourth lowest per
capita of all 50 states and territories. This is compared with a national average rate of 18
per 10,000 (State of Homelessness, National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2023). Not
taking total population into account, Virginia has the following rankings3:
Category Ranking
Homeless Population 23rd
Homeless Households 19th
Chronically Homeless Population 25th
Youth (18-25) 26th
Each year during the last ten days in January, Virginia participates in a national point-in-
time (PIT) count to identify the number of individuals who are sheltered and unsheltered.
Sheltered persons are individuals (including children and unaccompanied youth) sleeping
in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or using a hotel/motel voucher paid for by an
organization. Unsheltered individuals (including children and unaccompanied youth) are
sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks,
abandoned buildings, or on the street.
This count provides a 24-hour snapshot of people who are experiencing homelessness in
Virginia. DHCD collects, aggregates, and analyzes state-level PIT data to inform grant-
making decisions, best practices, and trends across the commonwealth.
Historically, policymakers and practitioners at every level of government have focused
special attention on vulnerable populations. For example, decision-makers are often
concerned about children and young people due to their developmental needs and the
potential life-long consequences of hardships in early in life. People in families with
children make up 36% of the homeless population. Unaccompanied youth (18-25)
account for four percent of the larger group.
Below are populations that comprise the total PIT Count for 2023.
3
https://wisevoter.com/state-rankings/homeless-population-by-state/#virginia
4
Point-in-Time data is also used to analyze trends over time.
Total Persons Experiencing Homelessness
Virginia, Point-in-Time Count: Jan. 2023
25% reduction since 2010, 4% increase since 2022
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Series1 9080 8816 8424 7625 7020 7001 6268 6067 5975 5780 5957 5812 6529 6761
PIT data for 2023, shows a four percent increase since 2022, and since 2010, there has
been a 25 percent decrease.
5
Family Households Eperiencing Homelessness
Virginia, Point-in-Time Count: Jan. 2023
1400
38% decrease since 2010, 3% increase since 2022
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Series1 1181 1145 1094 984 883 890 737 631 660 651 621 599 701 727
The year 2023 also saw a small increase in families experiencing homelessness (3%).
However, since 2010, there has been a 38 percent decrease in households with children
experiencing homelessness.
Sub-population data is only captured on the adult population in the PIT count annually.
In the 2023 PIT count, there were 5,222 adults. Of these 17% were survivors of domestic
violence, 16.6% had a substance use disorder, and 24% has a serious mental illness.
Individuals may fall into multiple subpopulations.
6
System Performance Measures
DHCD supports homeless services being a coordinated system as opposed to operating
independently. To facilitate this perspective, DHCD uses the HUD required reports that
measure performance as a coordinated system. Below are the aggregated outcomes for
federal fiscal year 20224. These outcomes include all projects whether funded by DHCD
or not. Additionally, Victim Service Providers are not included due to data constrains
authorized under Violence Against Women's Act (VAWA).
1. The average length of time a person stays in emergency shelter, transitional
housing, or safe haven in Virginia is 107 days in comparison to the national average
of 158 days.
The average length of time a person remains homeless (entry into homeless
services system to permanent housing move in date) in Virginia is 413 days.
2. Returns to Homelessness (after 2 years) – Virginia has an average 13.6% returns
to homelessness after a two-year period compared to the national average of
16.5% over the same two-year period.
3. Annual Homeless Count - There were 18,345 individuals who entered the
homeless services system in Virginia this is 1.6% of the total number of individuals
experiencing homelessness nation-wide.
4. First Time Homeless - There were 14,791 individuals were experiencing
homelessness for the first-time, which is a 7% increase from the previous year. Of
all individuals who entered the homeless services system, 80% were experiencing
homelessness for the first time.
5. Percent of individuals who exited the homeless services system and increased
their total income (earned income and/or benefit income) is an average of 34%
compared to a national average of 32%.
6. Exits to Permanent Housing – Of all the individuals who exited the homeless
services system, an average 48% exited to a permanent housing solution. This is a
9.6% increase from the previous year. The national average of successful exits to
permanent housing is 34%.
Homeless Data Integration Project (HDIP)
4
October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022
7
The work of the development and implementation of the HDIP continued during FY23.
The HDIP advisory committee met regularly and provided feedback for the operating
manual and workflows. The completion of this work allows for the full implementation in
FY24.
DHCD has benefitted from the HIDP during FY23 in the following ways:
• A focus on the Balance of State CoC data to include inflow, outflow, project
performance, and outcomes of differing demographics. Additionally, the Balance
of State CoC continues to work with the HDIP vendor to create a model for the
evaluation of Coordinated Entry.
• Data from eight of 16 CoCs was reviewed in order to assess needs for targeted
HOME American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars
• DHCD’s Office of Homeless and Special Needs Housing created a more equitable
performance evaluation process to make informed funding decisions, which was
specifically impactful for rural communities.
• Upon request, DHCD was able to provide intersectional data to DBHDS to assist
with planning for the Permanent Supportive Housing need assessment.
Homeless Programs
DHCD administered approximately $25 million for homeless assistance programs during
FY23. This includes approximately $21 million in state general funds, with $8 million from
the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, that leveraged approximately $4 million in federal funds
to address the issues and needs of those experiencing homelessness in Virginia.
DHCD received $3.0 million in federal funding from HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grant
(ESG) program and $1.3 million in Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
program. The federal ESG program is leveraged along with the state general funds to
support the homeless services system across the commonwealth through the Virginia
Homeless Solutions Program (VHSP). The HOPWA program prevents homelessness
among low-income individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families.
DHCD continued to manage funding for the state’s homeless crisis response system
through federal COVID relief funds. These funds were allocated in FY20 and FY21;
however, the grant end dates range from September of 2022 to June of 2024. While many
of the non-congregate COVID related shelters closed during the calendar year 2022, a few
communities have continued the use of federal funds for increased capacity of non-
congregate shelters. The additional COVID relief funds have been used to increase rapid
re-housing and provide homelessness prevention services.
8
Administered Homeless Programs 2022-2023 Program Year Allocation
Programs Sources Allocation to Grant End Date
DHCD
HSNH - Virginia Homeless Federal - HUD and State $16,099,844 06/30/23
Solutions Program - General Funds (total)
General Homeless Services Funds State $9,001,820
- General Homeless State $4,050,000
Prevention Funds
- Emergency Solutions Grant Federal $3,048,024
(ESG)
Housing Opportunities for Persons Federal $1,375,054 06/12/2023
with AIDS/HIV (HOPWA)
Housing Opportunities for Persons Federal $178,219 06/12/2023
with AIDS/HIV (HOPWA)- CV
Housing Trust Fund –Homeless State $8,264,804 1/31/2023
Reduction Grant
CHERP (ESG-CV) Federal $31,465,325 9/30/2023
CHERP (ESG-CV second allocation) Federal $1,167,633 06/30/2024
CHERP- (CDBG) Non-Congregate Federal $17,830,380 12/31/2022
Shelter
Virginia Homeless Solutions Program
The Virginia Homeless Solutions Program (VHSP) is approximately $16 million,
comprised of a combination of state and federal funding for emergency shelter
operations, rapid re-housing and housing stabilization, homeless prevention,
coordinated assessment/entry, outreach services, community planning costs, and
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) costs and administration. VHSP
funds require a 25 percent match. The following table provides the awards to each
VHSP in 2022-2023.
VHSP Service Providers
Service Providers Location Awards
Accomack-Northampton Planning District Accomack $37,750
Commission
ACTS – Action In Community Through Service Prince William $248,692
AIDS Response Effort, Inc. Winchester $180,487
ARCH Roanoke Gate City $58,700
Arlington County Government Arlington $46,539
PathForward Arlington $122,546
Bay Aging Urbana $156,163
9
Bridges to Independence Arlington $145,651
CARITAS Richmond $231,000
Carpenter’s Shelter Alexandria $538,981
Choices, Council on Domestic Violence for Page Luray $70,776
Co., Inc.
City of Alexandria, a municipal corporation of Alexandria $452,202
Virginia
City of Charlottesville Charlottesville $539,369
City of Hampton Hampton $1,060,922
City of Roanoke Roanoke $110,408
City of Portsmouth Portsmouth $5,000
Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. Tazewell $30,785
Commonwealth Catholic Charities Norfolk $36,587
Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CACH) Petersburg $40,273
Cornerstones (formerly Reston Interfaith ) Reston $226,613
Council of Community Services Roanoke $363,490
County of Loudoun Loudoun $272,269
Culpeper Community Development Corp. Culpeper $50,892
Doorways for Women and Families Arlington $219,052
Eastern Shore of Virginia Housing Alliance Accomack $133,000
Empowerhouse (formerly RCDV) Fredericksburg $164,217
ESCADV Accomack $46,802
Family Crisis Support Services, Inc. Norton $322,083
Family Resource Center, Inc. Wytheville $89,655
First Step: A Response to Domestic Violence Harrisonburg $40,272
ForKids, Inc. Portsmouth $54,804
ForKids, Inc. Norfolk $714,584
George Washington Regional Commission Fredericksburg $71,002
Gloucester United Emergency Shelter Team Gloucester $95,917
Hanover Safe Place Hanover $143,852
Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Harrisonburg $59,391
Authority
Help and Emergency Response, Inc. Portsmouth $223,468
Helping Overcome Poverty’s Existence, Inc. Wytheville $320,164
HomeAgain Richmond $232,790
Homeward Richmond $299,938
Housing Families First Richmond $211,537
Interfaith Outreach Association Lynchburg $85,490
Judeo-Christian Outreach Center Virginia Beach $121,406
LGBT Life Center Norfolk $239,543
LGBT Life Center Virginia Beach $73,126
Mercy House, Inc. Harrisonburg $388,963
Micah Ecumenical Ministries Fredericksburg $335,554
10
Miriam’s House Lynchburg $132,794
New Hope Housing, Inc. Arlington $209,900
New Hope Housing, Inc. Fairfax $226,830
New River Community Action, Inc. Radford $287,512
New River Family Shelter Christiansburg $43,813
Norfolk Community Services Board Norfolk $27,500
Northern Virginia Family Service Prince William $259,752
Northern Virginia Family Service Fairfax $178,313
People Incorporated of Virginia Abingdon $201,944
People Incorporated of Virginia Culpeper $258,455
Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless, Inc. Portsmouth $77,831
Project Horizon Lexington $28,000
PWC DSS Homeless Services Prince William $257,741
Roads to Recovery Lynchburg $103,161
Rappahannock Refuge, Inc. dba Hope House Fredericksburg $433,317
Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Culpeper $25,520
Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission Culpeper $84,977
Samaritan House, Inc. Virginia Beach $198,726
Shelter House, Inc. Fairfax $191,982
Shelter House, Inc. Loudoun $100,367
Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter Shenandoah $188,557
Southside Survivor Response Center, Inc. Martinsville $44,070
St. Joseph’s Villa Richmond $300,000
St. Joseph’s Villa Petersburg $129,104
StandUp For Kids, Hampton Roads Virginia Beach $54,986
STEP, Inc. Rocky Mount $186,222
STEPS, Inc. Farmville $125,016
StreetLight Community Outreach Ministries Woodbridge $54,045
The Daily Planet Richmond $32,712
The Improvement Association Emporia $56,324
The Laurel Center Winchester $68,017
The Planning Council Norfolk $113,651
The Salvation Army of Central VA Richmond $65,000
Total Action Against Poverty Roanoke $42,250
Tri-County Community Action Agency South Boston $101,844
Valley Community Services Board Staunton $61,142
Valley Mission, Inc. Staunton $52,500
Virginia Supportive Housing Norfolk $57,200
Volunteers Of America Chesapeake Loudoun $100,367
Women’s Resource Center of the New River Radford $166,144
Valley
YWCA Central Virginia Lynchburg $25,750
YWCA Richmond Richmond $93,900
11
YWCA South Hampton Roads Norfolk $268,620
Total (excludes administrative funds) $15,423,561
Emergency Shelter
Funding for emergency shelters totaled approximately $2.97 million through the VHSP
competitive application process.
During the 2022-23 program year, emergency shelter providers receiving VHSP served
5,526 households (8,354 persons ) through emergency and seasonal shelters. Of the 5,526
households, twenty-three percent (23%) or 1,225 were households with children and
seventy-four (78%) or 4,301 were households with only adults.
The table and charts below provide additional details on the populations served by
emergency shelters.
Twenty-eight (28%) of persons in emergency shelter were children under the age of 18
and eight (8%) of those served were 62 or older.
12
Data for the racial demographics of those in emergency shelters indicates the highest
populations are Black, African American or African at 55% and White at 35%.
13
The ethnic make-up of those in emergency shelter stood at eight percent (8%) Hispanic
or Latino/a/X.
*Note sub-populations only include adults (except chronically homeless families) and are
not unduplicated. An adult may be in one or more categories.
14
Fifty-three percent (53%) of adults are victims of domestic violence. Of the households
without children who were served in emergency shelter, sixteen percent (22%) were
chronically homeless. And of the total individuals in households’ w/children, two percent
(2%) are chronically homeless (family chronic homelessness includes adults and children).
Six percent (6%) of adult individuals receiving VHSP-funded shelter services report
veteran status.
*Note conditions only include adults. An adult may be in one or more categories.
Significant challenges and barriers to housing include serious mental illness (37%), chronic
substance abuse (alcohol 4%, drug abuse 5%, and both alcohol and drug 5%), and other
chronic health conditions (21%), which are self-reported unless used as a documented
disability for permanent supportive housing or other permanent housing that requires
disability documentation.
15
*Note insurance includes adults and children. A person may be enrolled in more than one
type.
As DHCD increases collaboration with other systems of care and most specifically, health
care institutions, managed care organization, and other mainstream resources, data
collection related to insurance has been important. Over the last fiscal year, fifteen
percent (15%) had no insurance while the majority, sixty-one percent (61%), had
Medicaid.
16
Of households that exited shelter, forty-two percent (42%) exited to a permanent
destination (market rate rental, Section 8, supportive housing, permanent placement
with family and friends). Sixteen percent (16%) exited to a temporary destination (hotel
or to temporary housing provided by family/friends or prison/jail, hospital, or foster care).
Thirteen percent (13%) exited to another homeless location, and twenty-nine percent
(29%) exited to an unknown destination.
Rapid Re-housing
Funding for rapid re-housing totaled approximately $6.3 million through the VHSP
application process. Rapid re-housing is a solution to homelessness designed to help
individuals and families to quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. It
is offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of criminal
record, or sobriety) and the resources and services provided are tailored to the unique
needs of the household.
DHCD continues to promote rapid re-housing as an effective means to ending
homelessness. By providing resources for the core components of rapid re-housing, such
as housing identification, move-in and rent assistance up to 24 months, and stabilization
case management and voluntary services, eighty-three percent (83%) of households exit
to permanent housing including forty-five percent (45%) without any on-going subsidy.
The length of time it takes to place households into permanent housing can vary
depending on the barriers and needs of any household. During FY22-23, the greatest
percentage of households obtained permanent housing within seven days (30%),
17
followed by 61- 180 days at 28% and 31-60 days at 18%, while the remaining were
between 8-30 days (13%) and over 180 days (11%).
.
Forty-four percent (44%) of those who were rapidly re-housed were children under the
age of 18.
18
The racial representation for those in rapid-rehousing indicates that Black, African
American, or African constitutes 62% and White as 29%, or 91% of the total population.
19
The ethnic make-up of those in rapid re-housing programs stood at eight percent (8%)
Hispanic or Latino/a/X.
*Note sub-populations only include adults (except chronically homeless families) and are
not unduplicated. An adult may be in one or more categories.
20
Sixty-two percent (62%) of adults are survivors of domestic violence. Of the households
without children who were served in rapid re-housing, seventeen percent (17%) were
chronically homeless. Of the total individuals in households’ w/children, four percent
(4%) are chronically homeless (family chronic homelessness includes adults and children).
Five percent (5%) of adult individuals receiving VHSP-funded shelter services report
veteran status.
*Note conditions only include adults. An adult may be in one or more categories.
Significant challenges and barriers to housing include serious mental illness (38%), chronic
substance abuse (alcohol 3%, drug abuse 5%, and both alcohol and drug 3%), and other
chronic health conditions (23%), which are self-reported unless used as a documented
disability for permanent supportive housing or other permanent housing that requires
disability documentation.
21
*Note insurance includes adults and children. A person may be enrolled in more than one
type.
Over the last fiscal year, twelve percent (12%) had no insurance while the majority,
seventy-three percent (73%) had Medicaid.
22
Of households who exited rapid re-housing, seventy-nine percent (79%) exited to a
permanent destination (market rate rental, Section 8, supportive housing, permanent
placement with family and friends). Eight (8%) exited to a temporary destination (hotel
or to temporary housing provided by family/friends or prison/jail or hospital). Five
percent (5%) exited to a homeless destination (other shelter or place not meant for
human habitation) and nine percent (9%) exited to an unknown destination.
Homeless Prevention
The purpose of VHSP’s prevention funding is to prevent homelessness by targeting
resources to those households who will imminently (within 14 days) lose their primary
nighttime residence and have incomes below 30 percent area median income. Eligible
homeless prevention activities include rent and housing stabilization financial assistance,
housing search and placement, stabilization case management and services, and
mediation.
Through VHSP, $4 million in state funds were distributed across the commonwealth for
homeless prevention activities. During the 22-23 program year, prevention funding
provided assistance to 2,293 individuals (996 households) including 493 households with
children under the age of 18.
23
Forty-four percent (44%) of the individuals who received homeless prevention services
were under the age of 18.
24
The racial representation for those in homeless prevention stood at fifty percent (50%)
Black or African American, or African; thirty-nine percent (39%) White; seven percent (7%)
Multi-racial; and approximately one percent (1%) American Indian, Alaska Native, or
Indigenous; Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; and Asian.
25
The ethnic make-up of those in Homeless Prevention programs stood at eight percent
(8%) Hispanic or Latino/a/X.
26
*Note sub-populations only include adults (except chronically homeless families) and are
not unduplicated. An adult may be in one or more categories.
Sixty-six percent (66%) of adults are survivors of domestic violence. Of the households
without children who were served in homeless prevention, two percent (2%) were
chronically homeless. Of the total individuals in households’ w/children, one percent (1%)
are chronically homeless (family chronic homelessness includes adults and children). Nine
percent (9%) of adult individuals receiving VHSP-funded shelter services report veteran
status.
27
*Note conditions only include adults. An adult may be in one or more categories.
Significant challenges and barriers to housing include serious mental illness (36%), chronic
substance abuse (alcohol 1%, drug abuse 2%, and both alcohol and drug (1%), and other
chronic health conditions (22%), which are self-reported unless used as a documented
disability for permanent supportive housing or other permanent housing that requires
disability documentation.
28
*Note insurance includes adults and children. A person may be enrolled in more than one
type.
Over the last fiscal year, nine percent (9%) had no insurance while the majority, seventy-
four percent (74%), had Medicaid.
29
Of households who exited homeless prevention, eighty-nine percent (89%) exited to a
permanent destination (market rate rental, Section 8, supportive housing, or permanent
placement with family and friends). Six percent (6%) exited to a temporary destination
(hotel or to temporary housing provided by family/friends, prison/jail, or hospital). Two
percent (2%) exited to a homeless destination (shelter or place not meant for human
habitation) and two percent (2%) exited to an unknown destination.
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS/HIV (HOPWA)
HOPWA funds are available to meet needed housing assistance for moderate- to low-
income individuals with HIV/AIDS outside of Virginia’s entitlement metropolitan
statistical areas (EMSAs). The funds through this program were focused on direct housing
assistance and include supportive services for the individuals receiving housing assistance
through the HOPWA program.
DHCD awards HOPWA funds to eligible project sponsors (that operate outside the state’s
EMSAs) following a renewal application process. Currently, the state HOPWA programs
encompass 31,749 square miles.
DHCD administered a federal allocation of $1,375,054 in HOPWA funds through eight
project sponsors across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The project sponsors served a
30
total of 329 unduplicated households with housing assistance. The services they received
included:
• Short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance (STRMU) - 236 households
• Tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA) - 98 households
• Supportive services – 223 households
An additional 175 family members, of whom 8 also had HIV/AIDS, benefited from HOPWA
housing assistance.
Of those eligible households that received HOPWA assistance, 78 percent had extremely
low incomes (0-30% AMI), 12 percent had very low incomes (31-50% AMI), and 10 percent
had low incomes (51-80% AMI).
HOPWA Project Sponsors 2022-2023
Service Support Funded
Sub-grantee (Project Sponsor) Area(s) Housing Activities Services Amount
Page, Short term rent. Case
AIDS Response Effort, Inc. Shenandoah, Tenant based management/
Winchester rental assistance Food bank $92,087
Tenant based
rental assistance,
Short term rent,
Case
City of Charlottesville Roanoke Support services, $288,172
management
Permanent
Housing
Placement
Tenant based
Commonwealth Catholic rental assistance, Case
Norton $128,144
Charities Short term rent, management
Support services
Tenant based
rental assistance,
Roanoke,
Short term rent,
Covington, Case
Council of Community Services Support services, $265,000
Salem, Clifton management
Permanent
Forge, Vinton
Housing
Placement
Tenant based
rental assistance,
Short term rent, Case
Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS
Fredericksburg Support services, management/ $140,000
Support Services
Permanent Transportation
Housing
Placement
31
Tenant based
Page, rental assistance,
Rockbridge, Short term rent,
Rockingham, Support services,
Harrisonburg Community
Shenandoah, Permanent Case
Health Center Care $122,200.20
Buena Vista, Housing management
Management
Lexington, Placement,
Staunton, Housing
Waynesboro information
Services
Case
Short term rent.
management,
Lynchburg Community Action Tenant based
Lynchburg Transportation, $83,199
Group, Inc. rental assistance,
Food/Foodbank,
support services
Support Group
Tenant based
rental assistance,
Short term rent,
Pittsylvania Community Action Case
Pittsylvania Support services, $115,000
Inc management
Permanent
Housing
Placement
Total
*Total does not include admin
allocated to DHCD $1,233,802.20
Housing Trust Fund - Homeless Reduction Grant
At least 80 percent of the funds allocated to the Virginia Housing Trust Fund must be used
to provide loans that reduce the costs of affordable rental housing and homeownership.
Up to 20 percent may be used for grants to reduce homelessness. Eligible activities of the
Homeless Reduction Grant (HRG) include:
• Rapid re-housing,
• Rental assistance,
• Support services for permanent supportive housing for persons experiencing
chronic homelessness,
• Innovative and pilot projects focusing on addressing the permanent housing needs
of older adults and youth experiencing homelessness, and
• Pre-development of permanent supportive housing projects for individuals and
families experiencing chronic homelessness.
Fifty-one applications were submitted by 29 organizations under this year’s Housing Trust
Fund Homeless Reduction Grant competitive cycle, with requests of over $9.3 million in
funding. The applications were reviewed, evaluated, and scored according to the
requirements of the program. Upon completion of the review process, proposals were
32
ranked, whereby award offers are recommended to the highest-ranking proposals based
on funding availability.
Housing Trust Fund – Homeless Reduction Grant contracts follow the calendar year from
January 1 – December 31. Final FY 2023 service numbers will be reported in next year’s
report.
Awards follow:
RRH – Rapid Re-Housing
PSH – Permanent Supportive Housing
UPIP – Underserved Populations Innovation Project (innovative projects for specific
groups experiencing homelessness who have been historically underserved including
older adults and youth)
FY 2022 is the last complete year of implementation. During FY 2022, 46 projects utilized
$8.3 million to serve the following households:
• 14 RRH Projects served 788 households
• 14 UPI Projects served 393 households
• 18 PSH Projects served 705 households
1,886 households experiencing homelessness were served in FY 2022.
Housing Trust Fund 2022-2023
Organization Project Name Project/ Award Communities Served
Activity
Arlington Street People The A-SPAN PSH $ 175,000 County of Arlington
Assistance Network, Inc. Supportive Housing
Project
Bridges to Independence Bridges To RRH $ 625,630 County of Arlington
Independence-RRH-
22
Commonwealth Catholic CCC Youth Street UPIP $ 177,000 City of Colonial
Charities Outreach 2022 Heights, Dinwiddie,
City of Emporia,
Greensville, City of
Hopewell, City of
Petersburg, Prince
George, Surry, and
Sussex
Cornerstones Cornerstones HTF RRH $ 200,000 Fairfax (City and
FY22 RR County), City of Falls
Church
Council of Community CCS Innovation UPIP $ 50,000 Alleghany, Botetourt,
Services 2022 City of Covington,
Craig, Roanoke (City
33
and County), and the
City of Salem
Council of Community CCS RRH 2022 RRH $ 150,000 Alleghany, Botetourt,
Services City of Covington,
Craig, Roanoke (City
and County), and the
City of Salem
County of Loudoun County of Loudoun PSH $ 201,777 County of Loudoun
DFS PSH2 2021-
2022
Doorways for Women and 2022 Doorways RRH $ 76,642 County of Arlington
Families Homes Housing Trust Fund
Equality Virginia EV, Underserved UPIP $ 132,145 Charles City,
Populations Chesterfield,
Innovation Project, Goochland, Hanover,
2022 Henrico, New Kent,
Powhatan, and the
City of Richmond
Family Crisis Support FCSS HTF-HRG PSH $ 173,266 Cities of Norton,
Services, Inc. Counties of Dickenson,
Lee, Scott, and Wise
Family Crisis Support HTF Youth UPIP $ 267,640 Cities of Norton,
Services, Inc. Innovation Project Counties of Dickenson,
Lee, Scott, and Wise
ForKids, inc. ForKids RRH for UPIP $ 80,000 Cities of Chesapeake,
Parenting Youth Franklin, Norfolk, and
2022 Suffolk, Counties of
Isle of Wight and
Southampton
HomeAgain HomeAgain - PSH - PSH $ 23,363 Charles City,
2022 Chesterfield,
Goochland, Hanover,
Henrico, New Kent,
Powhatan, and the
City of Richmond
HomeAgain HomeAgain - RRH - RRH $ 59,672 Charles City,
2022 Chesterfield,
Goochland, Hanover,
Henrico, New Kent,
Powhatan, and the
City of Richmond
Homeward Homeward, GRCoC UPIP $ 212,200 Charles City,
Homeless Older Chesterfield,
Adults Coalition, Goochland, Hanover,
2022 Henrico, New Kent,
34
Powhatan, and the
City of Richmond
LGBT Life Center LGBT Life Center UPIP $ 467,706 City of Chesapeake,
RRH- Homeless City of Franklin, Isle of
Older Adults 2022 Wight, City of Norfolk,
Southampton, and City
of Suffolk
LGBT Life Center LGBT Life Center UPIP $ 398,614 City of Chesapeake,
Youth HOME 2022 City of Franklin, Isle of
Wight, City of Norfolk,
Southampton, and City
of Suffolk
Mercy House, Inc. Mercy House Rapid RRH $ 100,000 City of Harrisonburg,
Re-housing City of Winchester,
Rockingham, Clarke,
Frederick, Page,
Shenandoah, Warren
Micah Ecumenical Ministries FY22 FrCoC UPIP $ 154,500 City of Fredericksburg,
Partnerships for Counties of Caroline,
Health Innovation King George,
Project (Micah) Spotsylvania, and
Stafford
Micah Ecumenical Ministries FY22 FrCoC PSH $ 380,070 City of Fredericksburg,
Permanent Counties of Caroline,
Supportive Housing King George,
Program (Micah) Spotsylvania, and
Stafford
Micah Ecumenical Ministries FY21 FrCOC Rapid RRH $ 118,450 City of Fredericksburg,
Re-Housing Counties of Caroline,
Program (Micah) King George,
Spotsylvania, and
Stafford
Miriam’s House Miriam's House, PSH $ 61,800 Amherst, Appomattox,
Central Virginia Bedford (City and
Supportive Housing, County), Campbell,
2022 and City of Lynchburg
Miriam’s House Miriam's House, RRH $ 150,000 Amherst, Appomattox,
Community First, Bedford (City and
2022 County), Campbell,
and City of Lynchburg
New Hope Housing, Inc. Alexandria City PSH PSH $ 69,000 City of Alexandria
2022
35
New Hope Housing, Inc. Arlington PSH PSH $ 103,000 County of Arlington
Projects 2022
New Hope Housing, Inc. Fairfax PSH Projects PSH $ 75,000 Fairfax (City and
2022 County), City of Falls
Church
New River Community NRCA HTF RRH RRH $ 107,850 Giles, Floyd,
Action, Inc. FY2022 Montgomery
(including Blacksburg
and Christiansburg),
Pulaski, and City of
Radford
Northern Virginia Family NVFS Prince William RRH $ 100,000 City of Manassas, City
Service Area Rapid Re- of Manassas Park, and
Housing Program Prince William
People Incorporated of People Inc. PSH $ 83,639 Buchanan, Dickenson,
Virginia Cumberland Plateau Russell, Tazewell,
- HTF PSH 2022 Washington, and City
of Bristol
People Incorporated of People Inc. HTF - PSH $ 90,808 Buchanan, Dickenson,
Virginia HRG Foothills Russell, Tazewell,
Housing Network Washington, and City
PSH 2022 of Bristol
The Planning Council The Planning UPIP $ 109,638 City of Chesapeake,
Council Homeless City of Franklin, Isle of
Elders Innovation Wight, City of Norfolk,
Planning Project Southampton, and City
2022 of Suffolk
Samaritan House SHI Housing Trust RRH $ 100,000 City of Virginia Beach
Fund Homeless
Reduction Grant
2022
Shelter House Housing Trust Fund RRH $ 400,000 Cities of Fairfax and
Homeless Reduction Falls Church, County of
Grant 2022 Fairfax
St. Joseph’s Villa Flagler Youth RRH & UPIP $ 341,549 City of Colonial
Outreach - HRC Heights, Dinwiddie,
City of Emporia,
Greensville, City of
Hopewell, City of
Petersburg, Prince
George, Surry, and
Sussex
St. Joseph’s Villa SJV RRH HRC RRH $ 135,000 City of Colonial
Heights, Dinwiddie,
City of Emporia,
36
Greensville, City of
Hopewell, City of
Petersburg, Prince
George, Surry, and
Sussex
St. Joseph’s Villa SJV PSH Richmond PSH $ 97,983 City of Richmond,
Counties of Charles
City, Chesterfield,
Goochland, Hanover,
Henrico, New Kent,
and Powhatan
Valley Community Services RRH Youth UPIP $220,387 Cities of Buena Vista,
Board Lexington, Staunton,
and Waynesboro,
Counties of Augusta,
Bath, Highland, and
Rockbridge, Townes of
Craigsville and
Monterey
Virginia Commonwealth Shared Housing UPIP $ 838,014 City of Richmond,
University Program for Counties of Charles
LGBTQ+ youth, City, Chesterfield,
pregnant and Goochland, Hanover,
parenting youth and Henrico, New Kent,
youth at the and Powhatan
intersection
Virginia Supportive Housing FY22 VSH GRCoC PSH $ 300,000 City of Richmond
PSH Services
Virginia Supportive Housing FY22 VSH Cloverleaf PSH $ 110,000 City of Virginia Beach
and Crescent
Square - Virginia
Beach
Virginia Supportive Housing FY22 VSH Gosnold PSH $ 105,000 City of Norfolk
and Church Street -
Norfolk
Virginia Supportive Housing FY22 VSH South Bay PSH $ 60,000 City of Portsmouth
Apartments -
Portsmouth
Virginia Supportive Housing FY22 VSH GVPHC PSH $ 65,000 City of Hampton,
PSH Pilot James City, City of
Newport News, City of
Poquoson, City of
Williamsburg, York
37
Williamsburg House of Colonial Area PSH $ 71,749 City of Williamsburg,
Mercy Supportive Housing Counties of James City
and York
Williamsburg House of Older Adults UPIP $ 149,510 City of Williamsburg,
Mercy Returning to Counties of James City
Stability (OARS) and York
YWCA South Hampton Roads YWCA - HTF RRH - RRH $ 96,202 City of Chesapeake,
FY22 City of Franklin, Isle of
Wight, City of Norfolk,
Southampton, and City
of Suffolk
TOTAL: $8,264,804
Underserved Population Invocation Pilot projects (UPIP)
Agencies across the Commonwealth have piloted projects that focus on populations that
are often underserved ranging from youth 18-24, older adults, LGBTQ+, those with
substance use or who are in recovery, and those with complex medical needs. As a result,
many projects have created new models of service delivery with the experience of those
being served. A few highlights include establishing a Supportive Housing Collaborative,
partnering with managed care organizations, increasing shared housing options,
improving coordinated entry and assessment methods, providing critical supplies (food,
clothing, diapers, and toiletries), and the implementation of Positive Youth Development
and Healing Centered Engagement approaches.
While focusing on these underserved populations there were a number of barriers to their
service that were identified. Specific to parenting youth (18-24), were lack of childcare,
lack of shelter space, and difficulty in getting connected to mainstream services. There
were also barriers related to the complexity of serving older adults specifically the lack of
cross-system referrals when healthcare providers identify lack of housing as the most
significant health-related social needs.
COVID-Related Funding
The Homeless and Special Needs Housing unit administered the COVID Homelessness
Emergency Response Program (CHERP) to first ensure all individuals and households
experiencing homelessness have access to safe, 24/7, emergency shelter during this
health pandemic. The second goal of CHERP is to help households maintain or obtain
permanent housing and receive the housing-focused supportive services necessary to
retain permanent housing. Additionally, COVID funds were used to revamp services to the
post COVID era.
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DHCD supported CoC/LPG strategies and homeless service programs aligning with state
and federal goals to ensure communities and individual service providers meet the needs
of those experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding sources
supporting CHERP include State COVID-Relief funding and the Emergency Solutions Grant
stimulus funding (ESG-CV), authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security (CARES) Act. This federal funding is used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to
the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) among individuals and families who are
experiencing homelessness or receiving homeless assistance. The funds also supported
additional homeless assistance and homelessness prevention activities to mitigate the
impacts of COVID-19. No matching funds were required.
Early funds, CHERP -CDBG, for congregate shelter were expended during the FY22 fiscal
year. During FY22, HUD reallocated funds and Virginia received a second tranche of ESG
CV funding these funds were allocated to the following CoCs and Balance of State Local
Planning Groups (LPG).
CHERP ESG-CV Second Allocation
Organization CoC/LPG Allocation
Portsmouth Volunteer for the Portsmouth CoC $45,000
Homeless
Southside Survivor Response West Piedmont LPG $20,000
Center
New River Family Shelter New River Valley LPG $45,000
CHASS Foothills Housing Network LPG $250,000
Volunteers of America Loudoun CoC $35,000
Family Crisis Support Services LENOWISCO LPG $31,500
Charlottesville Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition $14,419
for the Homelessness
Loudoun Loudoun CoC $65,000
Shelter House Loudoun CoC $114,709.48
STEPS Heartland LPG $100,000
Empowerhouse Fredericksburg CoC $100,000
Rappahannock Refuge dba Hope Fredericksburg CoC $110,000
House
GUEST Northern Neck/Middle Peninsula $120,000
LPG
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Conclusion
DHCD’s Homeless and Special Needs Housing unit continues to work to make
homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. To that end, the unit administers state- and
federally funded homeless service programs to address housing and stabilization services
for individuals and families at-risk of or experiencing homelessness in the commonwealth.
To administer these funds, partnerships are maintained with communities and an array
of service providers including nonprofits, units of local government, and housing
authorities. It is paramount for ensuring comprehensive homeless services are provided
effectively and efficiently in accordance with best-practice models to maximize limited
resources.
These efforts have been successful. Since 2010, the increased focus on ending homeless
in the Commonwealth of Virginia has achieved significant results:
✓ Overall homelessness decreased by 25 percent
✓ Family homelessness decreased by 38 percent
✓ Veteran homelessness decreased by 59 percent (since 2011)
✓ Youth homelessness decreased by 49 percent (since 2013)
✓ Chronic homelessness decreased by 33 percent
With continued state leadership, innovation, funding, and increased affordable housing,
ending homelessness is possible in Virginia.
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