Permanent Supportive Housing

VCEH Publication: The State of Permanent Supportive Housing in Virginia

The State of Permanent Supportive Housing in the Commonwealth of Virginia, published by VCEH in the fall of 2010, documents the number of permanent supportive housing units in Virginia, the number of people currently living in supportive housing in Virginia, and the multitude of reasons for local communities and the state to invest in creating more supportive housing. The report sets a baseline of 1,784 permanent supportive housing units in the Commonwealth. It calls on Virginia to create 6,800 new units of permanent supportive housing to end chronic homelessness and prevent jail and prison recidivism.

Click here for the press release. Click here for the full report.

Permanent Supportive Housing Works

A national consensus has formed on the effectiveness of permanent supportive housing for preventing and ending homelessness for the most vulnerable individuals, with the most severe and complex needs such as mental illness, chemical dependence and chronic health conditions. Virginia is far behind in developing this critical resource.

The purpose of permanent supportive housing is to provide, first a home, and then continuing supportive services for those who have experienced homelessness (often for very long periods of time), for those individuals and families with an adult head of household with disabilities (including mental illness and chemical dependency), for those with criminal backgrounds, for youth who have aged out of foster care, and for some veterans. The goal is to support a person’s path towards self sufficiency - to give everyone the opportunity to achieve independence, living in their own home.

Where?

Permanent supportive housing can be developed in urban, suburban and rural regions of Virginia. Click here for the Supportive Housing Needs Assessment for Martinsville and Henry County developed by Piedmont Community Services and Virginia Supportive Housing.

PSH Resources

Arlington County Supportive Housing Plan.

Martinsville - Henry County Supportive Housing Assessment.

The State of Permanent Supportive Housing in the Commonwealth of Virginia, published by VCEH.

Virginia Supportive Housing A Place To Start Evaluation Summary.

Virginia Supportive Housing A Place to Start Evaluation Full Report.

More information and resources.

Cost Study of Permanent Supportive Housing in Virginia

A report released by Virginia Supportive Housing in 2011 evaluates their A Place to Start program - one model of permanent supportive housing - and finds that this program saved the community over $320,000 in the first 20 months in hospital and incarceration costs alone.

Virginia Supportive Housing Report Summary

Virginia Supportive Housing Full Report

VCEH Policy Brief

Permanent Supportive Housing - An Alternative to Hospitalization and Incarceration for People Experiencing Homelessness, Mental Illness, and Other Disabilities

Permanent Supportive Housing, Public Housing Authorities, and Criminal Records

HUD Director Encourages Public Housing Authorities to Grant Access to People with Criminal Records

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Director Shaun Donovan recently sent a letter to the directors of public housing authorities across the nation to encourage them to allow access for persons with criminal records to obtain housing. In his letter, Donovan clarified HUD’s position on eligibility and emphasized that when individuals are returning to the community from prison or jail that housing stability is necessary for success – a sentiment that has been echoed in Virginia by Governor McDonnell.