Overnight Shelter Provided to Homeless Families through BEACH Program

From May 28 to July 2, overnight shelter was provided to homeless families with children through a pilot program developed and funded by the BEACH Community Partnership. During the five-week period, participating faith organizations rotated weekly to provide overnight shelter, meals and resources for homeless families. 

Seven families - 10 adults and 21 children - were served by the program. Five families eventually became sheltered, housed or were connected to housing programs: 

• Two families entered shelter
• One family was connected to Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation's veterans program
• One family went directly to transitional housing
• One family entered shelter and is now permanently housed 

The family shelter pilot program was modeled after the city's long-running Winter Shelter Program, in which area churches rotate weekly between October and April to provide overnight shelter and meals for single homeless adults.

Thanks to the contribution of volunteers and faith organizations, the pilot program was cost-effective and no city funds were used. 

The effort was made possible through collaboration and coordination between BEACH, local faith organizations, nonprofit service providers, Virginia Beach City Public Schools and city agencies, businesses and other community partners.