. . . Case Points to Larger Issue of Homelessness

The Jan. 9

Richmond Times-Dispatch article, "Homeless Man Guilty in Panhandling Case," illustrated how at least one long-established, albeit inefficient, means of sur vival continues to exist in our region.

Robert Reynolds lost his panhandling case in Henrico County. In his defense, he claimed that a law against panhandling threatens our community's ability to support the poor. Not only are there many ways to support those struggling in these tough economic times, but now more than ever, we can ensure that our assistance makes a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness in our community.

One year ago, our community launched the Ten-Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in the Richmond Region. This regional plan lays out our shared community vision of increased housing stability for low-income families, persons with disabilities, and persons working to overcome barriers such as a criminal record or substance abuse. Our region has a strong network of agencies working to fill gaps in the community's services for residents with very low incomes; to enhance the housing stability and quality of life for these residents; and to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of programs serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

By focusing on reducing the length of homelessness and the number of people who return to shelter after exiting, our community will be able to assist more families and individuals to regain housing stability and to address other economic, medical, or social needs.

HOWEVER, in the difficult economic times we are currently facing, families and individuals from around our region are finding it more and more difficult to find and pay for housing and other necessities. Homeward, the planning and coordinating agency for homeless services in Greater Richmond, is forecasting an unprecedented increase in demand for housing, shelter, and services in the coming months.

Area shelter providers are working to address the complex needs of persons experiencing homelessness through high-quality case management, supportive services to increase income and employment, and outreach to local landlords and other housing providers.

In the past seven months, our region's emergency shelter system has seen unprecedented increases in requests for shelter and in the number of clients presenting for shelter. Comparing data from 2007 to 2008, we have seen an average increase of 47.6 percent in the monthly number of requests for emergency shelter, and an average increase of 16 percent in the monthly number of clients seeking shelter. This trend reached its peak in September 2008, when requests for shelter increased by 92.6 percent from the previous September, and the number of clients presenting for shelter increased by 40.1 percent.

In the past seven months, the percentage of unfulfilled requests for emergency shelter has ranged between 46.9 percent and 81.8 percent. In November 2007, 181 people were turned away from shelter. In November 2008, 299 people were turned away from shelter. While these individuals may have ultimately received the shelter they were looking for, their needs were not met with a single request for shelter.

Our regional priorities are to develop a "rapid re-housing model" that would more quickly connect families experiencing homelessness to permanent housing, and connect them to the services they need to maintain their housing.

AS A COMMUNITY, we must help move some families out of shelter and into permanent housing in order to address this crisis and to continue to meet the needs of our community's most vulnerable families who lose their housing. Assisting families to obtain housing stability makes better use of limited community resources and ensures that the emergency shelter system can accommodate the needs of other community members who lose their housing in 2009.

Other strategies include increasing our capacity to help persons with severe mental illness and persons in recovery to obtain housing stability.

On Jan. 29, Homeward will conduct its 11th Winter Point-In-Time Count to gauge the regional effects of the economic downturn on individuals experiencing homelessness. As a community, it is imperative that we implement solid solutions to address the current state of homelessness.
Kelly King Horne is the executive director of Homeward. Contact her at (804) 343-2045.