What is Homeward?
Homeward is the planning and coordinating organization for homeless services in the greater Richmond region, and fulfills its mission to prevent and end homelessness in the Richmond region through three core areas of focus:
Educating for system change
Homeward educates the community about homelessness and the service delivery system in our region through trainings and volunteer opportunities; presentations about our homeless services delivery system; annual publications and handouts; and access to service guides, data and analytical research.
Homeward also develops the community partnerships needed to implement systemic change initiatives like the Ten Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in the Richmond Region.
Serving as a catalyst for change
System coordination is facilitated by Homeward through the identification of gaps in the system of services as well as the facilitation of agency or program collaborations.
Technical assistance is given to public and private sector service providers working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.
Identifying needs and trends
Research and Evaluation - Homeward serves as the central resource for real-time community-level data including documented service outcomes. Findings are provided to public and private service providers and policy makers in the region.
Homeward Community Information System (HCIS) - Homeward Community Information System (HCIS) is an online client tracking and case management program that allows our community to input and compile demographic data on clients and services. HCIS is our region's adoption of the nationally mandated Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). The Department of Housing and Urban Development requires the use of an HMIS database for providers and communities receiving HUD funds.
Homeward is a member of the following organizations:
- Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce
- Community Relations Emergency Communications Network, Greater Richmond Chapter American Red Cross (CRECN)
- Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)
- Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH)
- Richmond Community Criminal Justice Board