2012 State Policy Priorities
The Commonwealth of Virginia has set a goal of reducing homelessness by 15 percent by 2013. The state’s leadership on this issue represents an unprecedented opportunity to make real and measurable progress in preventing and ending homelessness for the 45,000 Virginians who experience homelessness every year. For more information on how the Governor's Housing Policy prioritizes homelessness, review the State's Homeless Outcomes Advisory Report and Recommendations.
During the 2012 General Assembly Session, VCEH has advocated for two budget amendments that impact homelessness and encapsulate VCEH's two main policy priorities:
1. Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Re-Housing Budget Amendment
• Item 108#2s: Senate Chief Patron: Howell (D); Co-Patron(s): Edwards (D), Wagner (R), Watkins (R)
o Will go before Senate Finance Economic Development subcommittee
• Item 108#1h: House Chief Patron: Lingamfelter (R); Co-Patron(s): Anderson(R), Carr (D), Comstock (R), Head (R), Herring (D), Loupassi (R), McClellan (D), Tata (R), Villanueva (R)
o Will go before House Appropriations Economic Development subcommittee
This amendment provides $1,000,000 from the general fund for FY2014 for permanent supportive housing and $500,000 from the general fund for the second year (FY2014) for rapid re-housing. The introduced budget provided these same additional amounts, but in the first year only (2013). This level of funding will help end homelessness for 200 households including children and their families and individuals with severe disabilities.
2. Supportive Services Amendment
• Item 315#13s: Senate Chief Patron: Howell (D)
o Will go before Senate Finance Health and Human Resources subcommittee
• Item 315#5h: House Chief Patron: O’Bannon (R); Co-patron(s): Bell, R (R), Brink (D), Hope (D), Ingram (R), Landes (R), Watts (D)
o Will go before House Appropriations Health and Human Resources subcommittee
This amendment provides $700,000 from the general fund in the first year (FY2013) to provide community-based behavioral health service for chronically homeless individuals who are not Medicaid eligible to be served in permanent supportive housing. This amendment would provide funding for services to include outpatient care, case management, and supportive residential or assertive community treatment. The average annual per-person cost of these services is between $10,500 and $12,600, based on fiscal year 2011 estimates.
Download the handout on the amendments
The Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness is aligning our work to partner with local communities and the Commonwealth of Virginia to reduce homelessness. VCEH’s role is to support implementation of the strategies and recommendations included in the state plan and advocate for their enactment, as needed. Over the course of the year, we will consult with our members and local, state, and federal partners to develop additional and/or refine policy and program recommendations.
If you are interested in working with us on state policy advocacy, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Click the following link to review VCEH's 2012 State Policy Agenda.
2010 Legislative Advocacy Agenda and Information
Recommendation: Maintain current levels of funding for state homeless and housing programs as budget deliberations progress.
Policy Brief - Preserving Current Levels of State Funding
Information on the State Budget Process / Opportunities for Advocacy
Get Involved - Speak at the Early January 2010 Regional Budget Hearings
Suggested talking points for those speaking at regional budget hearings.
Logistical information for regional budget hearings.
Legislation Introduced in the General Assembly
UPDATED Legislation introduced in the General Assembly - updated February 11, 2010
Media Coverage
Read the article in the Washington Examiner about how the proposed budget cuts will affect homeless programs.
Brooke Rodgers and Sandy Brzozowski of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Thermal Shelter (HARTS) quoted in Harrisonburg Daily News Record at the regional budget hearing asking legislators to visit homeless assistance programs before cutting funds.
C-VILLE, Charlottesville's News & Arts Weekly, covers the proposed state budget cuts on discounted drug availability and connects it to likely increased homelessness for those who experience mental illness.
