Homeward released initial findings from its 14th Winter Point-in-Time Count. The twice-yearly census provides a snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single day. Preliminary results reveal 1,040 people in the region experiencing homelessness on January 26, 2012. This number reflects a 5.6% decrease in the number of people overall experiencing homelessness, with a 10.9% decrease in the number of people living on the streets in our region, from January 2011 to January 2012. After a spike in family homelessness in 2011, the number of homeless children is returning to 2010 levels.

In March Homeward will release comprehensive findings from the count, including results from questions on a variety of economic indicators, transportation needs of people experiencing homelessness, and health-related topics.

As the Executive Director of Homeward, I can’t help but see parallels between working to end homelessness and last week’s community search and rescue in Hanover County.  We have to understand the issues related to homelessness: what causes it, what solves it, and what is the experience of homelessness like for those who go through it?  We do this by surveying people in crisis, developing the expertise needed to solve this problem, and engaging the community. Just as Hanover officials were certain that Robert would be rescued, we in the homelessness services community know we can prevent and end homelessness.  Thousands of formerly homeless Richmonders are proof of this.  Every week brings discouraging economic and housing news, but we must remember that we can do this.  And, it does take everyone.  Everyone has a role to play in our region’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness.  From shelter staff to housing developers, from landlords to volunteers providing basic services for people on the streets, we all have a role to play in ending the crisis of homelessness for our neighbors.

Our next opportunity to come together as a community to end homelessness is The Dominion Project Homeless Connect on Nov. 17.  Many of you may have already volunteered to provide services or to walk alongside someone in crisis on that day.  We have almost 400 of the 600 volunteers we need already registered.  If you can’t volunteer on Nov. 17, please consider one of the following ideas:

• Run a toiletry drive so that each person who seeks services at Project Homeless Connect can receive a care package at the end of the day.
• Connect with another agency working to change the story for our homeless neighbors.  http://homewardva.org/node/63
• List an affordable rental property at www.virginiahousingsearch.com.
• Consider hiring someone who has earned a second chance.
• Fund services that are already working for our community.  http://giverichmond.guidestar.org/

As the weather starts to turn colder, help us to connect compassion to solutions.

Donate to Homeward through the Amazing Raise!

After 2003’s Hurricane Isabel, which resulted in widespread and lengthy power outages, Homeward ran an ad in the Richmond Times-Dispatch with the following text:

We’ve been scrounging for food.  Reading by flashlight.  Begging for batteries.  Going days between showers.  Thanks to Hurricane Isabel, we’ve experienced firsthand how tough it is to be without.  Now imagine not having a roof over your head at all. Or having a chemical dependency.  Or suffering from paranoia.  Or answering to two small children. And it’s not even winter yet.  Unfortunately, homelessness won’t go away when the power is restored and the roads are clear.

While we are hopeful that the current power outages won’t last ten days like they did for many of us in 2003, homelessness is still a problem which outlasts natural disasters.

The 2003 ad consisted of an entirely  blacked out page with “So, is this what it’s like to be homeless?” The text at the bottom directed people to get involved after getting a taste of what it’s like to not have their basic needs met.  Many things in our community have changed since 2003, but there’s still a need for all of us to come together to prevent and end homelessness.

If you know of someone in a housing crisis, encourage them to call 2-1-1.  This number is staffed 24 hours a day to make a referral for services.   If you have housing available for rent, list it on www.virginiahousingsearch.com.  If you can, support one of the many strong agencies working to connect people in crisis to housing and services.  Visit www.giverichmond.org or for more information on local services. If you want to volunteer, check out www.handsongr.org or ask someone at 2-1-1.

To learn more, visit www.homewardva.org.

But quoting numbers only gets us so far on these pathways.

At their annual Action Meeting last week, Richmonders Involved to Strengthen Our Communities (RISC), transformed Homeward’s data into a stunning visual of pain and possibility.  At one point in the meeting, over 1,000 people stood in order to demonstrate what 1,102 homeless neighbors’ looks like. ¹   Someone remarked, “This is how big the problem is.” My thought was, “This is how solvable the problem is.”

If you can fit 1,102 people in one large room, then certainly we can get our hands, minds, and hearts around finding the housing and supportive services that 1,102 men, women, and children need to return to stable housing. We have the data to guide our way.  We know what contributes to homelessness.  We even know what has already been working in our community.  Now, it’s time to clear the room.  Let’s go, Richmond!

¹  1,102 is the total number of homeless individuals counted during Homeward’s January 2011 Point-in-Time Count.

via Better Housing Coalition GroundBreakers program

Bob Sledd is a passionate advocate for people experiencing homelessness, especially for those with a history of incarceration who are working to put their lives back together through employment and stable housing.  His consistent focus on measuring real outcomes and implementing best practices has provided inspiration for a diverse group of stakeholders and changed the community’s conversation on homelessness.

As chairman of the Homeward Board of Directors from 2005 – 2009, Bob served both as a visionary to bring about change and as a support to the people implementing the solutions in the community.  He led Homeward in the development of the Ten Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in the Richmond Region and solicited the support of both public and private sector community leaders for this effort.  He also worked to fund programs such as The Healing Place to fill critical gaps in our community’s services and to increase the involvement of local governments.

As Senior Economic Advisor to the Governor, Bob has led the development of a state housing policy framework and a state homelessness plan designed to reduce homelessness across the state by 15% over the next three years.  The comprehensive policy promotes sustainable, affordable housing as well as effective coordination of transportation.

Congratulations Bob Sledd

Excerpt from The Better Housing Coalition GroundBreakers 2011 Program

image credit Richmond Times dispatch

The number of homeless children in the Richmond region is up and no one is really surprised. It’s the economy, of course.

While there are some significant differences in our regional data on homelessness released last week, our 2011 numbers are pretty similar to our 2010 numbers. In fact, since 2007, the total number of people experiencing homelessness on any given day hasn’t changed all that much.

The similarity in annual data over time camouflages a radical and powerful transformation of our community’s response to homelessness since 2007.

In January 2008, our community launched a regional strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness. We know that people will always lose their housing because of a job loss, mental health crisis, foreclosure, bad breakup, death of a family member or other hardship. What do we mean when we talk about ending homelessness?

Read the full article here: Connect Compassion and Soluations

Specific highlights from today’s announcement include:

Economic Indicators 
• In the January 2011 point-in-time count, 11.3% of people experiencing homelessness reported that they had been through a foreclosure as an owner or as a renter.
• The number of people experiencing homelessness who reported a foreclosure went up 19.7% from January 2010 to January 2011.
• Almost half (46%) of the foreclosures reported by people who are homeless have occurred in the past two years.
  20.3% of those surveyed reported that they were employed. Since January 2007, the percentage of people experiencing homelessness who are employed has decreased by 30.5%.

Children 
• 159 children in shelters were counted.
• 9% of homeless persons have children living with them.
• 9.4% of adults accompanied by children report have at least a college degree. 36.4% of homeless parents are employed.

We are saddened by the increase in the number of homeless children and their parents. One bright note is that we have seen a 20% increase in the number of people in substance abuse recovery programs. Together with our non-profit and local government partners, we are encouraged that it looks like many people are seeking assistance to address the underlying causes of housing instability. With recent events at Monroe Park and elsewhere, we know that there is a lot of community interest in homelessness. By keeping our focus on the needs expressed in this survey, we can reduce the number of people in a housing crisis in our community.

Persons with disabilities 
• There was a 20% increase in the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in substance abuse recovery programs in the region.
• Of the 48.1% reporting a long-term disability, 66.4% reported a mental health disability.

Last Permanent Housing 
• Richmond – 50.4%
• Chesterfield – 7.0%
• Henrico – 10.6%
• Hanover – 1.5%
• Elsewhere in Virginia– 17.0%

The primary site for the count and survey was the weekly lunch program at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond and included a resource fair with medical screenings, flu shots, benefits information and free haircuts. The point-in-time count was also conducted in secondary areas in the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico in cooperation with local social services and law enforcement agencies and area shelter staff. For a complete list of partner agencies, visit www.homewardva.org.

To view the complete January 2011 Point in Time Count Snapshots Please Select one of the following.

January 2011 General Snapshot
January 2011 Ex-Offender Snapshot
January 2011 Veteran Snapshot
January 2011 Foster Snapshot
January 2011 Families Snapshot

This session will provide an overview of the homeless services available in the Richmond area and discuss ways that people of faith can partner with homeless services providers to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The session will last 90 minutes and will be offered on March 29th at 12:00 p.m. and repeated on March 31st at 4:30 p.m.

All sessions will take place at The United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg located at 2001 Maywill Street, Richmond, VA 23230. Directions are available online at www.yourunitedway.org

Please Click Here to Register

For general questions about these sessions, please contact Donnie Smith at dsmith@homewardva.org

The Informational sessions will be held on Thursday, March 10 at 4:30 p.m. and Thursday, March 17 at 12:00 p.m.
at The United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg Office, 2001 Maywill St. Richmond, VA 23230

These sessions are designed to inform those wanting to provide housing services to those experiencing homelessness in the Richmond area. The sessions will provide a brief overview of homeless services, ways to get involved, and the next steps for becoming a service provider. This is designed for those interested in starting a shelter or a transitional housing program. The session will last 90 minutes and will be offered on March 10th and will be repeated on March 17th. Please only register for one session.

Please Register at this site.

All sessions will take place at the United Way of Greater Richmond located at 2001 Maywill Street. Directions are available online at The United Way
For general questions about this sessions, please contact Jamie Seagraves at jseagraves@homewardva.org.