Greater Richmond Continuum of Care Archive Feed

Resources for Hotel Residents During Emergencies

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 17:45:56 GMT

As extreme weather approaches, many organizations across our region are stepping up to support individuals experiencing homelessness, including placing people in hotels as part of emergency response efforts.

In my role with Homeward , I’ve worked closely with our amazing managed care organization partners to create a resource flyer for individuals who may be isolated in hotel placements and in need of essential supports.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this infographic with staff, partners, and anyone who may benefit.

Federal Funding Changes: What It Means + How You Can Help

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:33:48 GMT

The federal government – through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – provides the largest amount of public funding for homeless services in the Greater Richmond region. For more than 25 years, the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) has coordinated federal funding locally. Recently, HUD announced changes to how it will award future money. HUD’s new approach and priorities will have major implications for our community.

This blog post provides a high-level overview of the situation, what it means for the Richmond region, and how you can get involved.

What’s Happening?

HUD proposed drastic changes to federal funding for homeless services.
Historically, the federal government has partnered with local communities to develop local programs to address homelessness in their area. These programs are tailored to the specific needs of the community and based on extensive community input.
The proposed changes undercut that local community process. HUD is severely limiting how communities can spend federal funds on homeless services.

What Does This Mean for Our Region?

By changing how the Richmond region can spend federal money on homeless services, many programs that work will be forced to wind down.
Two-thirds of housing programs for those experiencing homelessness in our region will be shut due to these abrupt changes in federal funding.
Our region also wouldn’t be permitted to spend these federal funds on emergency shelter.
This means that people will lose their current housing, have nowhere to go, and our community won’t be able to offer them the support they need.
Ultimately, we’ll see a dramatic rise in unsheltered homelessness in our region, starting next winter.

What Can I Do to Help?

Congress can still act to stop these funding changes or at the very least give local communities more time to plan for the changes.
Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators. Tell them that homelessness matters to you and you want our local community to continue to make decisions about homelessness locally.
Sign up the GRCoC newsletter to stay engaged and updated on what’s happening.

Want More Info?

If you’d like to learn more about the changes to HUD funding and what our community is doing, attend an information session on Monday (11/24) from 3-4pm or Tuesday (11/25) from 9-10am .
If you have additional questions or want further details, email GRCOC@homewardva.org .
The National Alliance to End Homelessness has a number of resources on its website, including a helpful toolkit .

Additional info session dates and times below. All sessions provide the same information as we do not have additional information to share yet.

Dec 3, 2025 04:00pm

Meeting ID: 965 102 6223
Passcode: 1P3CQ5

Dec 5, 2025 12:00pm

Meeting ID: 965 102 6223
Passcode: 1P3CQ5

GRCoC Releases FY2025 Annual Report

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:14:55 GMT

Combining Compassion and Accountability

The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) published its Fiscal Year 2024-2025 annual report on October 8, 2025 - a summary of the report can be found here .

The GRCoC represents a beacon of compassion, collaboration, and resilience in our region. As this annual report highlights, this collective effort makes a difference in our region. Our network has an outsize impact because we work together and constantly evolve to meet the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Our system's growth is a testament to our constant collaboration, data-informed strategies, and increased investments in proven solutions. Even though our system is helping more people than ever build pathways to a permanent home, we also know that the need is growing. Exponential increases in cost of living and housing coupled with economic stress are leading causes of housing instability. We see more of our neighbors pushed into homelessness because of these factors.

This important work is possible thanks to the commitment of hundreds of front-line homeless services professionals, the agencies that deliver proven solutions to homelessness, caring volunteers, and community partners that invest in this network, including private donors and philanthropic organizations, local governments, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the federal government.

The GRCoC will continue to respond to and serve those experiencing homelessness. With continued community support and additional investments, we can solve homelessness together.

Housing Focused Strategies Hold the Key to Ending Homelessness

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 23:03:47 GMT

Our region's collaborative network of homeless service providers, The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) , supports solutions to homelessness that are focused on getting our neighbors off the street and on to pathways to a permanent home. Why is this approach considered a highly effective method for solving homelessness in our region and across the country?

Understanding Housing Strategies: A Compassionate Approach to Homelessness

Strategies that focus on providing pathways to housing are designed to address homelessness by prioritizing permanent homes for individuals experiencing homelessness. This approach operates on the principle that having a stable home is the foundational step towards improving one’s overall well-being. The core idea behind this strategy is that before individuals can tackle other challenges like finding employment, managing finances, or addressing substance abuse, they must first have their basic needs met—starting with a secure place to live. By ensuring this fundamental necessity, housing focused programs create a stable environment from which individuals can begin to rebuild their lives.

Client choice is a key component.

Individuals are given the autonomy to select their housing and participate in supportive services according to their needs and preferences. Empowering clients to make these decisions enhances their sense of control and commitment, increasing the likelihood of long-term housing stability and personal development. This approach is about fostering an environment where individuals can thrive, regain their dignity, and work towards a brighter future. By prioritizing housing, this approach offers a compassionate and practical solution to ending homelessness and improving the quality of life for those affected.

National Data Demonstrates Effectiveness and Reduces Cost Burdens on Communities.

Individuals in these programs access housing more quickly and maintain housing stability at higher rates than those in traditional homeless assistance programs. For example, Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) has a housing retention rate of up to 98% after one year. Programs that prioritize permanent housing significantly reduce the use of emergency services, leading to substantial cost savings. One study found an average savings of $31,545 per person in emergency services over two years. Another study showed that these programs can cost up to $23,000 less per consumer per year than shelter programs.

Participants in these programs report higher levels of autonomy, choice, and control.

They are more likely to engage in supportive services, which leads to better outcomes in terms of employment, education, substance use reduction, and mental health.

A focus on permanent housing has been particularly effective in reducing veteran homelessness.

The approach has contributed to a 50% reduction in veteran homelessness in the United States.

Bipartisan and Administrative Support:

Homeless service programs that have a proven track record of success have garnered strong bipartisan support.

Our Region is a National Leader in Addressing Homelessness.

Homeward’s Executive Director, Kelly King Horne, presents regularly about solutions to homelessness to national audiences. Last year, she spoke at HUD's Quarterly Updates on how our region’s strategies positively changed how those experiencing homelessness in the Greater Richmond are served by our community of providers.

Homeward Publishes 2024 Gaps Analysis

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 22:12:40 GMT

As more and more people in our region face housing instability and are pushed into homelessness, the demand for homeless services is higher than ever before.

Homeward’s 2024 Gaps Analysis for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) highlights critical challenges and strategies in addressing homelessness. The rising cost of housing, exacerbated by the long-term affects of the pandemic, has intensified the crisis, pushing more people into homelessness.

Key recommendations include:

Focus on deeply affordable housing for individuals earning less than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI), the most vulnerable population.
Align funding with GRCoC strategies, prioritizing emergency shelters and case management to improve transitions out of homelessness.
Increase support for rapid rehousing programs, which have successfully housed 80% of participants.
Expand Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units to meet growing demand.
Encourage flexible funding and targeted prevention efforts to help individuals stay housed and avoid the trauma of homelessness.

Addressing these gaps is vital to ending homelessness and ensuring stability for Richmond’s most vulnerable.

Read the full Gaps Analysis here.

For more data on homelessness, see here.

Greater Richmond Continuum of Care Secures Over 9.3 Million in Federal Funds to Address Homelessness

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 17:15:06 GMT

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced that the Greater Richmond region was awarded $9.39 million in federal funding. That money includes an increase of $1.57 million in new project funds for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) to support our most vulnerable neighbors across the region experiencing homelessness.

Based on recent performance data available here, Homeward estimates that this funding will support permanent housing assistance for more than 1,500 regional residents.

The federal dollars included in this announcement represent money allocated in last year’s federal budget by Congress. Funds will begin to be distributed to specific projects beginning in July 2025 and likely continue for about 12 months based on contracts between the federal government and recipient agencies within the GRCoC.

The vast majority of federal funds awarded by HUD will be directed to maintaining existing homeless services in the Richmond region. The funding will be used to support programs at recipient GRCoC agencies. This money cannot be legally used to add shelter capacity or additional beds to our regional crisis response system. The resources will help fund programs that move individuals and families to a pathway to a permanent home. More information on the GRCoC funding process is accessible online.

Agencies and programs that will receive federal funds from HUD include: Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Daily Planet Health Services, Hanover Safe Place, HomeAgain, Homeward, Housing Families First, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, St. Joseph’s Villa, SupportWorks Housing, and YWCA Richmond.

New programs supported by the increase in HUD funding will allow our region to add two new rapid re-housing programs including one serving households fleeing domestic violence and add up to 27 new units of scattered site permanent supportive housing.

These federal grants are earmarked to fund specific programs at recipient GRCoC agencies. This money supports proven solutions to homelessness in our region and come with strict accountability and compliance requirements. For example, agencies must raise matching funds, demonstrate proven solutions, and must show how they coordinate services with our regional network and partner agencies. All federal funds also require extensive financial auditing, quarterly data reporting to HUD, and local monitoring for compliance and outcome.

This announcement is important because it highlights that the Richmond region continues to be highly competitive for critical federal funds. Included in the expanded awards are resources to support new programs targeting youth and young adults, including young parents.

Homeward coordinates and submits the annual funding application to HUD on behalf of the GRCoC, our region’s coordinated and collaborative network of homeless service providers, including local nonprofits and public sector partners. Learn more about the process in this blog post .

Read more about this announcement in Homeward’s press release.

Supporting Families Experiencing Homelessness in Our Community: Valuable Resources for Immediate Action

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 19:37:44 GMT

In every community, there are moments when resources simply aren't enough to meet the needs of all those who are struggling. This reality can often lead to frustration, especially when we feel powerless in resolving an issue, particularly one as urgent as homelessness. However, it's important to remember that even when we can't solve everything at once, there are always concrete steps we can take to make a real difference.

With this in mind, we’ve developed a set of resources aimed at reducing some of the uncertainty and frustration that comes with trying to assist families facing homelessness or housing instability. These resources are designed to provide tangible, actionable steps for individuals, agencies, and potential partners who want to get involved and help make sure that everyone in our community has a safe place to call home.

Resources you can use to help homeless families:

For those seeking to assist or connect families experiencing homelessness, we've created a new infographic that outlines essential information for immediate action. This visual guide is designed to be clear and easy to follow, making it simpler for anyone to help families in need. You can access the infographic here: Help Homeless Families RVA.

Additionally, we've established a dedicated link to a comprehensive resource card on Coordinated Homelessness and Housing Stability Resources . This is an important tool for agencies and individuals who want to take the next step in assisting families experiencing housing instability. You can find this essential resource here: RVA Homeless Help .

Why it matters:

The more we can share these resources with our networks, the more effectively we can all work together to support families in need. Whether you're an agency, a neighbor, or someone who wants to help, having access to these tools allows us to collectively take action with compassion and efficiency. Together, we can ensure that our community is a place where everyone has a safe, stable home.

Thank you!

Finally, we want to take a moment to thank everyone who continues to support our community in meaningful ways. Your efforts are crucial to making a lasting impact, and these resources are just one small way to help focus our collective efforts in ensuring that families facing homelessness have the assistance they need.

Please feel free to share these links with your networks, partners, and anyone who might benefit from them. Together, we can make a difference.

Thank you for all that you do for our community!

Greater Richmond Continuum of Care Submits Regional Application for Federal Funding

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 15:54:10 GMT

The federal government, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides a substantial portion of funding for homeless services in our region. In fact, the vast majority of public dollars used to support our most vulnerable neighbors is allocated through a HUD funding process called the Continuum of Care Program.

Grant applications are submitted through a community-based process to address the needs of those experiencing homelessness. This process facilitates grants designed to address the problems of homelessness in a comprehensive manner with other federal agencies.

Importantly, the Continuum of Care Program is a highly competitive process. Our region must differentiate our work from other communities across the country and demonstrate the effectiveness of our programs.

Each year, dedicated members of the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) come together to develop a robust and competitive community application. This application highlights our region’s transparency, accountability, and results.

The GRCoC Ranking Committee takes the lead on developing and reviewing the application before it’s submitted. That committee includes representatives from the City of Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico as well as private funders, subject matter experts, and people with lived experience of homelessness.

The committee’s membership reflects the cross-section of public and private sector partners that come together through the GRCoC to deliver homeless services in our region. That deep collaboration and broad representation are key factors that make the GRCoC’s funding work so robust and effective. That coordination helps our region stand out in the highly competitive funding application process.

HUD defines ideal applications to the Continuum of Care Program as the following: “Promotes community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provides funding for efforts to quickly re-house homeless individuals and families, while minimizing trauma and dislocation; promotes access to and effective utilization of mainstream programs; and optimizes self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.”

Fortunately, our region has many established programs with proven track records of success that meet these criteria.

Read more about the GRCoC’s funding guidelines and priorities on our website. Learn more about federal funding for homeless services here .

A key component of successful applications is highlighting how a community addresses homelessness. The GRCoC shares a variety of data points and resources detailing our region’s compassionate and coordinated response to homelessness. The latest GRCoC Annual Report aptly captures the immense breadth of local efforts and their impact.

GRCoC Releases FY 2023-2024 Annual Report

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 18:15:55 GMT

Compassionate Accountability

The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care published its Fiscal Year 2023-2024 annual report on October 10, 2024.

For more than 25 years, the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) has coordinated our region’s compassionate and collaborative response to homelessness. Our network includes 34 local, mission-driven nonprofit agencies and public sector partners.

The need for homeless services continues to rise in our region. In FY 2024, GRCoC agencies encountered 7,588 people who sought assistance. This need is met by the unwavering dedication of hundreds of frontline homeless service professionals who serve our most vulnerable neighbors. On a daily basis in 2024, GRCoC agencies support over 1,000 people through targeted housing programs and emergency shelter.

The GRCoC will continue to be the leader in addressing homelessness and remain guided by two key principles. First, our system identifies solutions by following the data and listening to people experiencing homelessness. Second, the ongoing coordination among all GRCoC agencies ensures that limited resources are maximized and that outreach and housing work is done collectively.

GRCoC agencies develop and deliver trauma-informed programming, share data with system partners, provide extensive reports to federal and state funders, undergo audits and monitoring visits to ensure compliance, and commit to continuous quality improvement in order to meet the needs of our neighbors.

As this annual report highlights, a central feature of the GRCoC is collaboration. It takes all of us working together to help individuals and families pushed into homelessness get back on the pathway to a permanent home. We invite you to learn more about the GRCoC through this annual report and join our coalition to end homelessness in the Richmond region.

Together, we can have an outsized and enduring impact by supporting proven solutions to homelessness.

Read the full report here.

GRCoC is Collecting CES MOU requests

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 21:47:29 GMT

Letters of request are due to the CoC by 5 pm, Monday, April 29.

The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) is requesting Letters of Intent (LOI) from agencies within the Greater Richmond area who are interested in continuing or joining the GRCoC’s Coordinated Entry System (CES). Requesting LOIs gives the CoC the opportunity to hear from local agencies who may regularly engage with individuals experiencing homelessness but who might not be CoC members yet. Agencies that have recently submitted an LOI during the VHSP funding process will not need to submit another LOI.

Letters of intent will need to demonstrate:

A willingness to adhere to CES Policy Standards
A willingness to adhere to Program Standards
The agency’s intent to participate in the GRCoC’s collaborative planning and service coordination
A willingness to collaboratively work with other CoC providers for the benefit of clients
A willingness to adhere to HCIS Policy and Procedure standards, and fulfill requirements to obtain access to HMIS, if necessary

If the space provided is not sufficient, please feel free to write on a septate document. LOIs are due to the CoC by April 29th by 5pm. [BLANK Template]

The LOIs will be reviewed by the System Policies and Process Committee chair member. Once approved, the agency will be eligible to submit a CES Memorandums of Understanding (MoU). This MoU ensures the commitment to the GRCoC’s community-developed program standards and policies that meet federal guidelines and maximize limited resources. To streamline the process, the MOU will be completed via DocuSign. Signed MoUs will be due back to the CoC by Friday, May 17th, 2024. As done in years past, two staff members from each agency must attend a yearly CES training before submitting the MOU. The training ensures that all agencies understand the expectations of being a part of a CES. Below are two training dates. If your agency plans to submit a CES MOU, agency staff must attend one of the trainings listed below. Registration is required and can be found by clicking the link next to each training date.

Tuesday, April 30th from 10am-11:30am via Zoom
Tuesday, May 7th from 10am-11:30am via Zoom

Updates Regarding the Upcoming MoU

Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), HUD requires the provision of an Emergency Transfer Plan (ETP) within the CoC to protect survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. This means that for Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Rehousing programs, the upcoming MoU will have an additional responsibility listed. The ETP allows tenants who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to request an emergency transfer from the tenant’s current unit to another unit. Homeward will vet emergency transfer referrals and requests. YWCA Richmond will provide emergency housing through hotels, moving support, food and other services as needed while the housing provider identifies another unit for the household. There will be training around provider roles and reporting, as well as a scheduled mock session in June to further examine and better the process.

The GRCoC, acting in collaboration with YWCA Richmond, are still currently developing the exact policy and process regarding this plan. It’s crucial that we hear from providers to create an effective system for ensuring the safety of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Please reach out with questions regarding this new CoC wide policy. Qualifying providers will be contacted directly via email to discuss an upcoming provider input session on April 26th.