Homeward to Host Best Practices Conference for Homeless Service Agencies and Partners

April 29, 2024

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.

More than 200 attendees, including public and private partners, are expected to gather to learn together and recognize the collective impact of our region’s coordinated response to homelessness.


Notably, these collaborative efforts have a long-term impact. Homeward reported that 80 percent of people who exited shelters and other GRCoC programs did not return to homelessness within a one-year period.


“We’re proud to once again host this regional Best Practices Conference because the event brings together homeless services professionals to share critical insights that enable our regional network to support more people facing homelessness and housing instability,” said Kelly King Horne, executive director of Homeward. “In addition to learning from one another, this event offers a moment to acknowledge the meaningful work done by homeless services agencies and highlights that we all can be part of the solutions to address homelessness in our region.”


The conference brings together homeless service providers, funders, advocates, and others. Workshops will focus on sharing strategies to solve homelessness on a client, organization, and community level.


Adrienne Cole Johnson will serve at the conference’s keynote speaker. An engagement expert, she is a natural mediator, community builder, skilled facilitator, and strategist. Johnson is the co-founder of the Richmond Night Market; co-owner of The Len, an open concept event venue; and serves as Chief of Family and Community Engagement for Henrico County Public Schools, the first position of its kind, taking lead on building culture, climate and connections for parents, community members, and partners.


Session topics will cover deeply affordable housing policies, aligning with the public sector, partnering with Managed Care Organizations, supporting people with dementia, and more.


Horne added, “The knowledge shared at this conference is so impactful because it empowers homeless service agencies to work smarter, connect the dots, and maximize limited resources.”



Homeward’s 2024 Best Practices Conference is sponsored by Virginia Housing and the Richmond Association of Realtors.

Additional information about the Best Practices Conference is available online: https://www.homewardva.org/conference.

For questions related to the conference or to register, please email info@homewardva.org.



Statement from Homeward on Federal Funding Situation

January 29, 2025
As the designated planning agency for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care, our region’s coordinated network of homeless service providers, Homeward works closely with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). We have been following recent developments related to federal funding for homeless programs. We are collaborating with local, state, and national partners to assess the implications for the people served by the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care and to ensure that there are no further disruptions to support proven solutions to homelessness in our region. Federal funding from HUD has been critical to our local network’s ability to help thousands of regional residents get on the pathway to a permanent home. This person-centered and compassionate work has tangible impacts in our communities. We will continue to monitor this situation closely, update our partners, and support this important work. To learn more about the vital role of HUD funding and its impact in our region, read this recent blog post .

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