Individuals and families experiencing homelessness or those at-risk can now access the right services they need more easily. Connection Point of Virginia Beach (227-5932) , the city's referral center for emergency housing assistance, has been enhanced to streamline and standardize the way citizens access the homeless response system in Virginia Beach. "Connection Point now uses a coordinated assessment and housing-focused approach to help prevent and end homelessness for the most vulnerable in Virginia Beach," says Pamela Shine, Homeless Programs Coordinator with the City of Virginia Beach Department of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation. "City agencies and our nonprofit partners are working even more closely together to share information on what resources they have available and screening households for these programs in a consistent manner." Connection Point was a step forward in improving the homeless response system when it launched in 2011. Citiz