News You Can Use - Homelessness Prevention

Helpful Websites

Contact Virginia 211 if you or someone you know is in need of emergency financial assistance.

Log on to United Way’s Holiday Wish List, a comprehensive listing of agencies that need donated items and volunteers.

To better help your children understand the issue of homelessness and even find ways that they can help, log on to the National Alliance to End Homelessness website at http://www.endhomelessness.org/section/
data/data_and_research for a kids fact sheet and helpful links.

10 Things You Can Do – From Homeward

Please do not give money to panhandlers. Some panhandlers on the street are not homeless. It is much better to give your money to programs that help people in crisis.
Invite a speaker to your civic, neighborhood, business or religious gatherings to give an update on homelessness in Greater Richmond. Homeward can provide a speaker for your group.
Volunteer your time or talent with organizations that serve people in crisis.
Advocate for the creation or expansion of housing options for people with low incomes in the Richmond region.
Talk about it. Become knowledgeable about the root causes of homelessness and share your knowledge with family and friends.
Support programs that have good and consistent results for people in crisis.
Visit Homeward’s website for news, upcoming events and helpful resources addressing prevention, housing and homelessness in our region.
Inventory the assets that you have at your disposal that could help people in a housing crisis or the organizations that serve them. Be creative. You could be a life coach for someone trying to make it through this crisis.
Use the following numbers to get or offer help:
1. 648-4177 – Homeward Central Intake: Shelter and shelter-related intake and assistance
2. 827-3224 – REACH: Healthcare information for people who are underinsured or uninsured.
Please do not judge people who find themselves in this temporary crisis. Most men, women and children who fall into the crisis of homelessness are traumatized and embarrassed by the experience. Like you, they don’t want to be there.

Source: Homeward: Coordinating Resource and Services to Prevent, Reduce and End Homelessness - www.homewardva.org

And please remember that all throughout the year, you can contribute to Energy Share or Metro Care to help provide emergency assistance to those in need.

Results Matter

Emergency Assistance and Intake at William Byrd Community House helps clients resolve their immediate crisis. Services include crisis intervention, intensive case management, food, bus tickets, rent and mortgage payments, utility payments and referrals for community services.

A total of 1,997 unduplicated individuals representing 794 households received emergency services last year at William Byrd Community House.

The Salvation Army Family Services Program assists families and individuals with “basic human needs” including financial assistance to pay heat or heat related bills (electric, gas, oil, propane and water bills if heat related), rent or mortgage assistance, food, household items, and clothing vouchers

During FY2004-2005, The Family Services program served 6,015. The program was unable to meet over 5,000 additional requests due to lack of funds.

Last year, 71% of the 200 clients surveyed were able to remain in their home and maintain their utilities three months after the assistance.