May 11| Martinsville Bulletin article features VCEH and the upcoming 1,000 Homes initiative taking place in Martinsville later this month.
May 4| Registration now open! NAMI VA & VCEH Housing Stability and Mental Illlness Summit: Creating Housing for Hope and Recovery. July 22-23, Crowne Plaza, Richmond, VA.
May 4| Funding Opportunities for Rapid Re-Housing Initiatives:
The Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness is partnering with the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Freddie Mac Foundation to support community shifts to rapid re-housing for serving children and families experiencing homelessness. As part of this initiative, two Requests for Funding Proposals (RFPs) are available to support shifts to rapid rehousing at the organizational and community levels. For Community Change Grants, click here. For Organizational Change Grants, click here. A Q&A webinar about the grants will be held on Thursday, May 10 at 11 am ET. To register for the webinar, click here.
April 30| Improvement of Employment Opportunities for People with Criminal Histories?: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued updated enforcement guidance on employers’ use of arrest and conviction records when making employment decisions. In its guidance, the EEOC cited that hiring policies that include blanket exclusions of people with criminal records have a disparate racial impact, and therefore violate Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. While this does not necessarily mean that employers cannot exclude people with criminal records from employment, it does mean that we have additional opportunities to make the case that people with criminal records need a second chance.
April 26| Article in the Virginian-Pilot highlights the 1,000 Homes campaign in South Hampton Roads--"Early death threatens a third of region's homeless."
April 11| See the recent article in the Washington Post: Arlington Launches Homeless Housing Fundraising
March 26| Provide Input on Possible Uniform Outcome Standards for Rapid Re-housing Programs. VCEH, along with our partners the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the National Alliance to End Homelessness, will promote the adoption of uniform outcome expectations to track statewide progress on rapid re-housing programs. These outcome measurements are aligned with new federal requirements for the Continuum of Care programs as dictated by the HEARTH Act. We have received input on these proposed outcome measures from more than 230 people who attended seven events in November and December 2011 and from our Rapid Re-Housing Advisory Committee. Click here for the document. We welcome additional comments and feedback by April 13 by contacting David Bresnahan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
March 26| According to Out of Reach 2012: America's Forgotten Housing Crisis, released this month by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Virginia in the ninth most expensive state in the nation for renters; last year it was the twelfth. Working at the minimum wage in Virginia, a family must have 2.8 wage earners working full-time--or one full-time earner working 112 hours per week--to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment.
Housing is the solution to homelessness, and we must fight for increased affordable housing options for the families and individuals who experience homelessless across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
March 23| Richmond Times-Dispatch article cites decreases in homelessness in Richmond attributed to 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians campaign!
March 21| Check out Sunday's media attention in the Virginian-Pilot of South Hampton Road's 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians Campaign!
March 15| SNEAK PEEK! Preview the materials for the upcoming Rapid Re-housing workshops taking place this month and in April. The materials can be found here! These FREE workshops will involve a mix of presentation, interactive activities, and community planning. To register now--click here.
March 14| Housing and Urban Development announced today that it awarded $2,079,651 for new local homeless programs across Virginia. Continuums of Care awarded include Richmond, South Hampton Road, the Peninsula, Fredericksburg, Arlington, Fairfax, and Alexandria. Congratulations to our partners!
March 9| The 100 Homes Arlington Campaign, as part of the statewide 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians Initiative, announced today that 15 people have been housed as a result of their Registry Week efforts in October. Congratulations Arlington!
March 6| New report from the Center for Housing Policy and National Housing Conference: nearly 1 in 4 working households in America spends more than half its income on housing costs. In Virginia, nearly 250,000 working households are paying more than 50 percent of income for housing.
February 28| Charlottesville's new permanent housing facility, The Crossings, is billed as a game-changer for chronic homelessness. See article here about the first permanent supportive housing facility in Charlottesville!
February 27| An article in The Christian Science Monitor cites Norfolk and four other cities as leaders in permanent supportive housing.
February 21| VCEH is pleased to announce the inclusion of $1.5 million in funds for permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing for FY2014 in the Senate Finance committee budget report. There were no funds in the House Appropriations committee report for item 108#1 and the Supportive Services amendment was not proposed by either the Senate or House committees. The budget amendments and accompanying language can be viewed here.
February 20| Last week, we learned that the state would be receiving $69 million in funds from the national Mortgage Settlement Agreement. Unfortunately, the House and Senate money committees have directed the funds to non-housing uses.
February 17| VCEH thanks Attorney General Cuccinelli for recognizing that housing is an important issue; Cucinelli recently announced a one-time payment of $69 million to Virginia as result of the National Mortgage Settlement Agreement and commented that it should probably be used for housing. VCEH advocates for funds to be used for a Virginia Housing Trust Fund (HB 1211) that would provide 25 percent flexible grant funding for supportive services and rental services.
February 16| Fairfax County receives national media attention on accomplishments in reducing homelessness as part of an article in USA Today on poor public policy decisions that make jail a too common placement of those experiencing homelessness.
February 16| Don't Treat America's Homeless As Criminals, an op-ed in USA Today, profiles the link between homelessness and jail.
February 13| The Commonwealth of Virginia is hiring a Homeless Outcomes Coordinator to coordinate policy and program activities to prevent and reduce homelessness. Reporting to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Senior Economic Advisor to the Governor, the Coordinator will work closely with the Homeless Outcomes Coordinating Council as well as multiple state agencies and will coordinate implementation of the state plan to reduce homelessness by 15 percent by 2013. Click here for the position description.
February 6| This Sunday the Richmond Times-Dispatch included an Op-Ed from VCEH's Board member, John Dearie, about the bipartisan cooperation on homelessness this 2012 General Assembly session. Click here to read the article!
February 1| Western Tidewater, which includes Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Franklin and Southhampton County) are the 12th community to join the statewide 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians initiative!
January 31| VCEH's Executive Director Phyllis Chamberlain presented at the Hampton Roads Housing Consortium's quarterly membership meeting on state policy and funding, 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians, and the public-private partnership to shift policy, resources, and practice to rapid re-housing for children and their families experiencing homelessness.
January 19| Harrisonburg and Rockingham County are the 11th community to join the statewide 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginian's initiative. They will be conducting their Registry Week in conjunction with the annual Point-in-time county this month.
January 11| VCEH is advocating for two budget amendments that impact homelessness and encapsulate VCEH's two main policy priorities: $1.5 million for permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing in FY2014 and $700,000 for supportive services for chronically homeless individuals not eligible for medicaid.
January 9| VCEH's statewide 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginian's campaign get's recognized for a job well done by the national 100K Homes campaign!
December 19| VCEH has a job opening for a Project Specialist to provide program and administrative support on outreach to partners, communications, and events. Click here for the job description.
November 17| At the Governor's Housing Conference, Governor McDonnell announced VCEH's new public-private partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia and the National Alliance to End Homelessness. See our upcoming events section to attend one of seven regional opening events to introduce the initiative to communities.
November 16| Prince William County has joined our 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginian's campaign! Stay turned for more information on their local campaign!
November 15| As a member of the Campaign for a Virginia Housing Trust Fund (VHTF), VCEH has been reaching out to legislators and local community leaders including mayors, county boards, and other esteemed members to ask that they write a letter of support to Governor McDonnell. Already, city mayors from Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Martinsville, Roanoke, Newport News and Danville, as well as Arlington businessman John Shooshan and the Housing Development Corporation of Hampton Roads have written letters of support. Click each to review their letters to the governor.
November 8| VCEH is part of a new public-private partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia and the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The initiative will be officially announced on Thursday November 16, 2011, in conjunction with the Governor's Housing Conference. See our upcoming events section to attend one of seven regional opening events to introduce the initiative to communities.
November 3| Our 2012 Policy Priorities have been released. For more information, click here.
November 1| There has been lots of exciting media coverage on the 100 Homes Arlington Campaign! For more information click here!
October 26| VCEH is hosting the first 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians Statewide Meeting on Thursday, November 3rd. Register now!
October 21| 100 Homes Arlington successfully conducted their Registry Week October 17th - 19th. More than 150 community volunteers and County staff organized in 12 survey teams take the streets to identify and survey the most vulnerable. Here are the results!
October 12| We are happy to announce that Martinsville has officially joined our 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians initiative! Their region has set April 24, 2012 as their registry week date. Stay tuned for more exciting news!
October 5| VCEH and the City of Norfolk's Office to End Homelessness partnered to conduct the last stop on VCEH's Statewide Permanent Supportive Housing Tour. The tour demonstrated the impact and benefits of permanent supportive housing to the community. Read more!
October 3| NLIHC featured VCEH in their newsletter in support of our joined efforts with senior groups, service providers, religious groups, disability rights advocates, and realtors to launch the Campaign for a Virginia Housing Trust Fund! Read more!
September 27| The Washington Times covers The Commonwealth Institute's report on the increase in child poverty in Virginia and what Fairfax County is doing to end homelessness. Click here!
September 27| Arlington's 100 Homes initiative and VCEH's 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians initiative gets covered in the National Association of Counties County News. Click here!
September 21| Arlington's local 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians campaign - 100 Homes Arlington - was highlighted in today's Washington Post! Click here!
September 20| Ten more people moved off the streets and into housing as result of 1,000 Homes - Richmond. See Virginia Supportive Housing's blog for more details!
September 14| VCEH kicked off its Statewide Permanent Supportive Housing Tour in Richmond with co-host Virginia Supportive Housing. The tour demonstrated the importance of permanent, affordable, and supportive housing for Virginia's most vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness. State legislators, local and state government officials, and providers attended.
September 12| The Campaign for A Virginia Housing Trust Fund released a report on the economic impact of a Virginia Housing Trust Fund. Click here for the Richmond Times Dispatch coverage.
September 12| Connie Chamberlin, President and CEO of Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME) writes an op-ed on the Governor's housing policy and the need for a state housing trust fund
September 7| 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians - Richmond Campaign houses first vulnerable individual--a 60-year-old veteran who's been homeless and living on the streets for three years. For more information visit Virginia Supportive Housing's Blog.
August 29| Arlington is gearing up for their "100 Homes Arlington" Registry Week beginning October 16. Want to know how you can get involved? Check out the campaign flyer for more information!
August 25| If you missed the Virginia Housing Trust Fund Webinar, the PowerPoint is now available.
August 11| Updated information on the 1,000 Homes Richmond registry week: 218 homeless individuals were surveyed in the Greater Richmond region with more than half (118 individuals/54.1%) identified as vulnerable and at increased risk of death.
Of those considered vulnerable, 31 are veterans. This figure represents 67.4% of all homeless veterans surveyed. Among the total surveyed homeless population, six are over 70 years of age – the oldest being 85 years old, 17 suffer from kidney disease, and 64 report being the victim of a violent attack since becoming homeless. Among the 118 listed as immediately vulnerable, the average number of years homeless is 7.1.
August 1| VCEH has launched http://1khomesva.org/ - the website with information on local community participation in the 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians initiative. Arlington County, Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, and the Virginia Peninsula (Newport News, Hampton and surrounding area) are the jurisdictions leading this initiative with us.
July 29| 60 community leaders from across the country, including 30 from Virginia, came together for the 100,000 Homes Campaign Registry Week Boot Camp, sponsored by the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness and the 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians initiative. This event was held in conjunction with the Richmond Registry Week where 100 volunteers canvassed the streets in search of the most vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness.
VCEH Releases The State of Permanent Supportive Housing in the Commonwealth of Virginia - the first comprehensive look at permanent supportive housing in Virginia. Click here for the press release.
April 14| VCEH provides analysis of the impact of the federal budget for fiscal year 2011 on homeless programs, specifically what dollars will be available through McKinney Continuum of Care funding for which activities.
March 31| Across Virginia, communities are accepting that homelessness is solvable. 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians is a statewide initiative - led by the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness - to house 1,000 of the most vulnerable Virginians experiencing homelessness. More Information.
March 23| Register for the VCEH Audio Conference to be held on April 12, 10:00 - 11:30 am, designed to help communities prepare for shifts in funds to rapid re-housing. More Information and Register Now.
March 9| The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has released the ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) Program Guidelines and Application. DHCD will conduct a How to Apply conference call and two in-person How to Apply sessions related to the application. See the attached document (above link) for dates and information.
March 9| The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has released the ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) Program Guidelines and Application. DHCD will conduct a How to Apply conference call and two in-person How to Apply sessions related to the application. See the attached document for dates and information
The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program is authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This federally funded program is administered through HUD by a formula allocation to ESG entitlement localities and states. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is responsible for administering the state ESG allocation for Virginia and is seeking proposals to that end.
DHCD’s ESG Program Guidelines and Application may be accessed at http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/. DHCD will conduct a How to Apply conference call and two in-person How to Apply sessions related to the application. Information to access the call and register for the sessions is in the guidelines/application document. While it is not mandatory, DHCD highly recommends that interested parties participate in the call and/or sessions.
Please note: All questions regarding this application should be directed to DHCD and not to VCEH.
November 22, 2010| VCEH provides analysis of the ten year plan requirements under the HEARTH Act. See if your ten year plan is up to par.
November 10, 2010| The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will conduct input sessions related to the State Shelter Grant and federal Emergency Solutions Grant (formerly Emergency Shelter Grant) funding. In light of changes to the HEARTH Act on the federal level and the shift to more best practice models for state funded homeless services, DHCD encourages all those interested to attend. Sessions will be held from December 1-13 in locations across the state. Visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov for specific dates and times and registration information.
Oct 25, 2010| Materials from the Oct 21st Summit on Family and Youth Homelessness are available here.
Oct 4, 2010| VCEH announces keynote speakers and provides final session descriptions for October 21 Summit on Family and Youth Homelessness. Register Now!
June 28, 2010| The Commonwealth of Virginia is working to develop a comprehensive housing policy framework and is looking for input. Your expertise and input is invaluable to the process of creating a strong housing policy that is clearly linked to increasing affordable housing opportunities to prevent and end homelessness. Click here for the link to the survey and a message from Bob Sledd, Senior Economic Advisor to the Governor and Chair, Housing Policy Advisory Committee.
June 22, 2010| Today, the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness was proud to join our colleagues within the federal government and from across the country for the release of "Opening Doors: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness" at the White House. Click here for VCEH’s statement on the federal plan and for more information.
June 14, 2010| The Virginia Joint Legislative Review and Audit Commission - the research and investigative arm of the General Assembly - released a study on ways to reduce homelessness among veterans.Click here for the report.
May 10, 2010| The Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance (NVAHA) and the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH) are pleased to release “Homeless in Northern Virginia: Local Communities Respond to Preventing and Ending Homelessness.”More information.
April 28, 2010| Governor McDonnell Will Establish Housing Policy to Focus on Reducing Homelessness and Ensuring Affordable Housing.
March 28, 2010| VCEH Analysis of State Budget Shows Reductions in Homeless Program Funds for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012. Click here for a chart with estimated total funds for each program. Click here for VCEH's news letter detailing the budget cuts.
February 18, 2010| Gov. McDonnell Proposes Even More Budget Cuts; Urgent Request for Local Data
