More Resources are Needed to Ensure Every Virginian Has a Home
RICHMOND, VA – June 26, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Gov. McDonnell recently announced during an event at St. Joseph’s Villa that rates of homelessness in Virginia have decreased 16 percent overall from 2010 to 2013. This includes a 17 percent decrease in family homelessness in the same period and an 18 percent decrease in veterans experiencing homelessness between 2012 and 2013. These reductions are a significant accomplishment and exceed the goal of reducing homelessness by 15 percent set forth in the Governor’s Housing Policy.
“Rates of homelessness have been reduced and therefore we know the housing first model of delivering housing and service supports is working,” states Phyllis Chamberlain, Executive Director of the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness. “The focus on homelessness at the state level has resulted in new state resources. We look forward to working with Gov. McDonnell and the next governor on continuing to increase investment in homeless assistance programs as nonprofit agencies across the commonwealth have demonstrated that with increased resources and partnerships they can make a significant impact on reducing rates of homelessness.”
Exceeding the Commonwealth’s goal is a considerable accomplishment of the partnership between the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and the Freddie Mac Foundation. The initiative helped communities improve the availability of affordable housing for children and their families experiencing homelessness by increasing the provision of rapid re-housing. Rapid re-housing is a proven solution to homelessness and often more cost-efficient than traditional programs.
During Gov. McDonnell’s administration, the increased focus on solutions to homelessness has resulted in shifts in state resources and additional funds to support best practice strategies. Included in the Governor’s biennial budget is $1.5 million in new funds for fiscal year 2013, $1 million for permanent supportive housing and $500,000 for rapid-re-housing. To continue the critical work of ending homelessness, an additional $1 million for fiscal year 2014 was secured through legislative support. The Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness looks forward to working with Gov. McDonnell and the next governor to continue the focus on homelessness and ensure the necessary resources are available in order to continue to reduce homelessness.
*Declines in overall homelessness were reported as a result of the point-in-time count, an annual census taken during a specific 24-hour period, of people living on the streets and in other homeless situations, including emergency shelter, and transitional housing. The point-in-time count collects data on the number of people and households experiencing homelessness in a community, and surveys a sample of people to collect more in-depth information about them.
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The Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness is a statewide organization dedicated to the prevention and end of homelessness in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
For more information on the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, visit: www.vceh.org
For more information on the state plan to reduce homelessness and the state housing policy framework, visit: www.virginiahousingpolicy.com
Media Contact:
Frazier Germon
Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness
804-332-0498
frazier (at) vceh (dot) org
www.vceh.org
