Housing insecurity is on the rise in the Richmond area according to the staff and volunteers with the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care — a coalition of groups who seek to prevent, reduce and end homelessness in the Richmond region.
The coalition’s point-in-time count measured an 8.7% increase of people experiencing homelessness this July. Although Richmond bolstered its ability to house more families with the addition of an inclement weather facility and family shelter,housing advocates like Kelly Horne say connecting people to information about said resources is becoming increasingly challenging, especially in the winter during the holiday season.
“We know the housing we have is insufficient, I think especially now with rising rents and not a lot of new really deeply affordable housing,” Horne said. “And we know there's not enough resources to meet all the needs and so trying to get accurate information is a way to at least reduce that frustration.”
Horne has spent the last 20 years working with Homeward and is currently the group's executive director. The group has helped assemble a list of available resources for homeless individuals in its and collaborates with other like-minded housing organizations across the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care.
“We know that there's other compassionate groups like trying to meet immediate needs, trying to connect people to resources. I think our biggest opportunity in our region is bringing those pieces together,” Horne said.
Horne says the primary point of entry to region-wide resources is Homeward’s Homeless Connection Line for people who are without housing or within three days of losing their home. Those in need should call (804) 972-0813 or visit homewardva.org.
Trained diversion specialists are available to connect individuals to the most relevant and available resources in their area Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Other resources
- 804-422-5061: The Housing Resource Line offered by the Partnership for Housing Affordability
- 804-612-6126 (call or text): EmpowernetVA Hotline for those fleeing domestic violence, stalking and human trafficking is available around the clock.
- YouthRVA offers resources and safe havens for young adults ages 18 to 24 at Commonwealth Catholic Charities in Richmond. The Youth Hub operates Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 4 p.m.
- 804-343-3000: Adults 60 years of age and older can contact Senior Connections.
- 211 (call) or 211virginia.org: The Virginia Department of Social Services’ also assists in connecting people to available housing resources.
If you know of someone sleeping outside in Ashland, Richmond, or Chesterfield, Charles City, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan counties, this form can be filled out to request a wellness check by an outreach worker.
