Homeward’s 2024 Gaps Analysis for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care Highlights Challenges and Strategies in Addressing Homelessness
October 15, 2024
As more and more people in our region face housing instability and are pushed into homelessness, the demand for homeless services is higher than ever before.
Homeward’s 2024 Gaps Analysis for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) highlights critical challenges and strategies in addressing homelessness. The rising cost of housing, exacerbated by the long-term affects of the pandemic, has intensified the crisis, pushing more people into homelessness.
Key recommendations include:
- Focus on deeply affordable housing for individuals earning less than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI), the most vulnerable population.
- Align funding with GRCoC strategies, prioritizing emergency shelters and case management to improve transitions out of homelessness.
- Increase support for rapid rehousing programs, which have successfully housed 80% of participants.
- Expand Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units to meet growing demand.
- Encourage flexible funding and targeted prevention efforts to help individuals stay housed and avoid the trauma of homelessness.
Addressing these gaps is vital to ending homelessness and ensuring stability for Richmond’s most vulnerable.
Read the full Gaps Analysis here.
For more data on homelessness, see here.
The Richmond region got its first blast of winter recently. As the winter season approaches, we all brace for cold days and colder nights. Winter is always an especially difficult time for our neighbors pushed into homelessness. Homeward staff have been working diligently with Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) partners to prepare for the additional challenges that come with cold weather.
As we recognize Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week from November 16th – 22nd, we’re reminded of the important role that emergency shelters play in our region’s coordinated and collaborative response to homelessness. In fact, many people are often surprised to learn how many emergency shelters operate throughout our region and the number of meals they provide.
Act Now to Preserve Critical CoC Federal Funding
At Homeward, we believe that all people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, especially individuals and families experiencing homelessness. They are our neighbors and members of our community. We all face varying levels of crisis and hardship throughout our lives, some of us more than others.
Housing works. We just don’t have enough.
This past week, case conferencing looked a little different - and the impact was undeniable. As we navigate a year filled with uncertainty and change, our team wanted to try something more intentional and focused. Instead of our usual agenda, we decided to zoom in on the top 8 individuals who have been staying the longest in emergency shelter across our CoC. These are often the most complex cases, where progress can feel slow and housing solutions hard to find. But we believed that by rallying more intentionally around them, we might be able to move the needle.
Sometimes, it’s the unexpected moments that reveal the strength of a system—and the compassion behind it.
“I truly enjoy helping people navigate through different circumstances and creating a space for them to be seen and heard.”
"In every aspect of homeless services, the principal question is always how decisions will impact someone who is currently experiencing homelessness."
“Engaging with people and building community motives me.”
