BEACH Community Partnership Blog

Two events are scheduled in Virginia Beach in observance of Virginia Beach Homelessness Awareness Week, Dec. 19 to 23: Donation Drive A donation drive will be held Dec. 19 through 23 to collect the following items for the homeless community: new or gently-used blankets (twin size only), jeans, socks, hats, scarves, gloves and travel-size hygiene items. Donated items may be dropped off at the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center (JCOC), 1053 Virginia Beach Blvd. JCOC will also accept monetary donations. National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Vigil (Dec. 21) On the longest night of each year, communities across the nation gather to commemorate the lives of the men and women who have died homeless. This year’s memorial service and candlelight vigil for Virginia Beach will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Lighthouse Day Support Services Center, 825 18th St. “The purpose of Homelessness Awareness Week is to increase knowledge and understanding of people who are exper

The draft Continuum of Care (CoC) application for funding for FY 2016 is now available for public comment.  The CoC Program is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. The Program assists families and individuals (including unaccompanied youth) experiencing homelessness and provides the services needed to help them move into transitional and permanent housing with the goal of long-term stability. Each year, more than $1.6 million is granted through the CoC to Virginia Beach agencies that provide housing and supportive services to the homeless. The grant application process is coordinated by the BEACH CoC Committee. Every year, the Department of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation submits the Virginia Beach CoC application for funding to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Public comments should be submitted by Sept. 13 to Pam Shine, homeless programs coordinator, at pshine@vbgov.com . 

The City of Virginia Beach re-launched its hotline for emergency housing and homeless services. Citizens who are homeless or at risk of losing their home should call the Regional Housing Crisis Hotline at (757) 227-5932, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new call center, previously known as Connection Point, will continue to be the single point of contact to streamline the homeless referral and assessment process. Families and individuals who are homeless will be connected to a case manager with the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation and assessed for shelter, transitional housing and permanent housing programs based on their circumstances. Those who are at risk of losing their home will be assessed for financial assistance or other safe and appropriate alternatives to prevent homelessness. ForKids, a nonprofit based in Norfolk that serves homeless families and children, is the new provider operating the city’s call center under a contract with the De

The Lighthouse Center, which provides day support services for homeless individuals and is located at 825 18th St., will be closed July 1 - 10. This closure is necessary to facilitate a transition of staff and equipment from the prior operator, Volunteers of America, to the City of Virginia Beach Department of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation, which will now operate the services at the center. Staff will work to inform those who use the center about the closure and the options available during this time. The city will reopen the day support service center and resume operations on Monday, July 11. The center's regular business hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call the day support service center at (757) 437-4911.

City's Central Call Center Transferring to New Provider The City of Virginia Beach will have limited homeless referral services between June 30 and July 14 as its central call center transitions to a new provider.  Citizens who need to access emergency housing and homeless services in Virginia Beach during this time can call (757) 437-4911, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon. Please note that the city will be closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day and will be unavailable to take calls. Beginning July 15, the referral center, known as Connection Point, will be referred to as the Regional Housing Crisis Hotline. It can be accessed at (757) 227-5932. The new call center will continue to be the single point of contact to streamline the homeless referral and assessment process. Families and individuals who are literally homeless will be connected to a case manager with the city's Department of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation and a

The City of Virginia Beach Department of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation seeks three dynamic and committed people to join the department’s Coordinated Assessment Team:  2 - Housing Specialist I (Homeless Programs Case Managers)  1 - Housing Specialist II (Coordinated Assessment Team Lead)   Together this team is responsible for coordinating and implementing all aspects of the Coordinated Assessment and Referral process for homeless persons and those at risk of homelessness who are seeking services at the Day Support Center, as well as those referred for housing assistance from the Call Center. This team will also provide services to homeless individuals at the Day Support Center.  For more information about these positions and to apply, visit  www.vbcareers4gov.com .  Close date: June 1 3 , 2016.  The City of Virginia Beach is an EOE. Qualified Section 3 Residents (low- and very-low income persons) residing in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MS