BEACH Community Partnership Blog

Since first being implemented in 2012, faith organizations have used the Charity Tracker database to provide more than $4.5 million in assistance to families and individuals in need. Charity Tracker is a web-based database that connects faith-based, nonprofit and government organizations to share information, assist those in need, and track funding. The BEACH Community Partnership provides an annual grant to fund Charity Tracker, and it continues to be a valuable tool for the 35 organizations that currently contribute to use it. All users are linked by a special email network that allows them to effortlessly send bulletins regarding needs in the community, thus making ongoing communication possible among the members.Recently a grandmother, who is the guardian of her 10-year-old grandson, was assisted in paying her water bill that was scheduled to be disconnected. After her situation was posted in the Charity Tracker bulletin, immediate alerts were sent out to participating Ch...

More than 20 faith organizations in Virginia Beach participated in the 2017-2018 Winter Shelter Program, helping to serve 364 homeless adults during the coldest months. For five months faith organizations rotated weekly to provide overnight shelter, meals, medical care, and other resources to those in need. Thank you to the following faith organizations who participated to provide a safe, warm place to sleep for homeless adults during the winter: Baylake United Methodist Church Bayside Church of Christ Bayside Presbyterian Church Beth Chaverim Synagogue Christian Church Uniting  Church of the Ascension  Church of the Holy Family Community United Methodist Church Courthouse Community United Methodist Church Eastern Shore Chapel Haygood Methodist Church Holy Spirit Catholic Church Kempsville Church of Christ King’s Grant Baptist Church King’s Grant Presbyterian Church London Bridge Baptist Church Lynnhaven Unit...

In an effort to end veteran homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded $39,161 in new funding to the City of Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation to provide a permanent home for five additional veterans experiencing homelessness in Virginia Beach. HUD Region III Regional Administrator Joseph DeFelice joined Hampton VA Medical Center Chief of Staff Dr. Priscilla Hankins in presenting Andrew Friedman, director of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation, with the ceremonial check at a recent ceremony at Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Virginia Beach Housing and Neighborhood Preservation is one of 13 public housing agencies that was awarded new funding totaling $693,962 for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The supportive housing assistance is provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program , which combines rental assistance from ...

The Housing Resource Center, scheduled to open this year at the corner of Witchduck Road and Southern Boulevard, will combine shelter and housing for families and singles, supportive services and community resources in one facility to help people leave homelessness behind.  The Housing Resource Center is a one-stop-shop of essential services, shelter and housing for homeless families and individuals. At the center, our community system of City agencies, nonprofit service providers and faith organizations will be able to continue and grow our efforts to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring. The Housing Resource Center will provide new opportunities and resources for homeless families and individuals to put down roots. On day one, 118 individuals and families can be off the street and sheltered or permanently housed at the center when it opens later this year. During the Virginia Beach City Council's briefing on March 20, Virginia Beach Housing & Neighborhood ...

Initially, a limited number of volunteer opportunities are available to help supplement staff at the Housing Resource Center  in the daily delivery of services to individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis. Volunteer positions include Housing Resource Center ambassadors, front desk receptionists, and program support. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, or 16 years of age for a program support position, and pass a federal background check. Volunteers should be able to dedicate at least two days per week at the Housing Resource Center. Mandatory training sessions will be provided. Positions will be posted until May 15 at www.vbgov.com/volunteer . Volunteers will be scheduled for training in June to help staff move in and set up at the Housing Resource Center beginning in mid-July. Positions will re-post in October, and quarterly thereafter. For more information, contact Diane Hotaling at (757) 385-1278 or dhotalin@vbgov.com .

The faith community has been the cornerstone of the effort to end homelessness in Virginia Beach for several decades. At the Interfaith Alliance at the Beach’s (IAB) first interfaith forum, faith organizations had the opportunity to network and hear strategies for strengthening their role and effectiveness in the community-wide effort. On March 15 more than 100 attendees, 22 houses of faith, and 14 nonprofit organizations who shared the common goal of wanting to end homelessness gathered at New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ for the IAB's Interfaith Forum , “Moving from Charity to Change: Effective Strategies for Ending the Cycle of Homelessness.” Tracy Flaherty-Willmott, associate director of OrgCode, Inc. , shared how faith organizations can help homeless families and individuals today, and also how they can actively assist them through their journey to being housed, increasing stability, and reintegrating into society. One of the ways faith communities can support and e...

The Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation is hosting two FREE training sessions on homelessness: Creating a System of Care that Aligns with Housing First Wednesday, Sept. 13 9:00 a.m. - noon Register by Sept. 12 at https://housing-first-training.eventbrite.com Excellence in Housing Stabilization Thursday, Sept. 14 9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Register by Sept. 12 at https://housing-stabilization-training.eventbrite.com Who should attend?  Housing based case managers, support workers, team leaders, agency/program managers, directors, and/or housing program supervisors; local government officials; and faith community members. The training will be led by Tracy Flaherty-Willmott, associate director of OrgCode Consulting, Inc. OrgCode, based in Ontario, Canada, has created plans to end homelessness and affordable housing strategies for many communities across North America. The organization excels in strategy, planning, training, resear...

The City of Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation is updating the community’s Strategic Plan to End Homelessness, originally adopted by the City Council in 2013. Starting today, interested citizens can view and comment on the proposed goals, objectives and action steps for the plan at www.vbgov.com/virtualtownhall . The Virtual Town Hall forum will close on Sept. 1. The Strategic Plan to End Homelessness represents the vision of the entire Virginia Beach community to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring. It is the collective work of the BEACH Community Partnership, city agencies, nonprofit service providers, and faith-based organizations. The plan is intended to serve the needs of all who experience homelessness or a housing crisis, including families, individuals, youth, veterans, and people transitioning from institutional living. The strategic plan is being updated to build upon and expand the 2013 plan, incorporate progress to date and ne...

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 Be...

The City of Virginia Beach and the BEACH Community Partnership will conduct the annual Point-in-Time Count of people who are experiencing homelessness the last week of January. In coordination with the count, Project Homeless Connect will also be held to provide supportive services and resources to homeless families and individuals. Volunteers are needed to help with both events. Point-in-Time Count: Wednesday, Jan. 27, from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Volunteers will be part of a team assigned to one of the four police precincts in Virginia Beach to help count and administer a survey to homeless persons living on the streets. Project Homeless Connect: Thursday, Jan. 28, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Open Door Chapel, 3177 Virginia Beach Blvd. Volunteer shifts are from 7 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will help with a variety of activities (i.e., set-up/clean-up, registration, guides, administering surveys, handing out supplies and food, etc.). To volunteer, regist...

Are you someone who is in recovery or formerly homeless and passionate about serving others within your community?  If so, the City of Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation is seeking a part-time contractual Outreach Worker to work varying hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Sunday, for a maximum of 25 hours per week.   The selected person will be employed by the Abacus Corporation, an employment agency, and assigned to the Housing and Neighborhood Preservation's Housing Development division.   As part of a team, this position is responsible for seeking out and identifying homeless persons wherever they are in the city and assisting them to access services. This position will spend most of their time in the field working to identify homeless persons living in places not suitable for human habitation. The successful candidate will engage homeless persons through outreach activities, conduct face-to-face interviews to...

City Participates in National Initiative to End Veteran Homelessness Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr. announced on Veterans Day that nearly 300 homeless veterans in South Hampton Roads are now either housed or on their way to housing thanks to a regional effort to end veteran homelessness. In Virginia Beach alone, 157 homeless veterans now have or will have a place to call home. The mayor made the special announcement during the Tidewater Veterans Day parade and ceremony in Virginia Beach. “No city wants to see anyone homeless. No city especially wants to see any veteran homeless knowing what our veterans have done for us over the years to make sure we have such a great life,” said Mayor Sessoms. “For years, we’ve been working hard to identify homeless veterans. I’m happy to say we’ve teamed up with neighboring cities to make sure that every veteran who is homeless will be housed by November 11.” The city and regional effort was part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Challenge to End...

Donations Part of $1 Million Fundraising Campaign Two years ago, the Virginia Beach City Council adopted an ambitious plan to end homelessness. A major part of that plan is building a Housing Resource Center, with day services for homeless people, temporary emergency shelter and community services to prevent homelessness. Recently, congregants at two Virginia Beach churches made substantial contributions to move that plan closer to reality. On Sunday, July 12, the congregation at Beach Fellowship Church donated $130,000 to help support operations at the center. The previous week, the congregation at Wave Church donated $50,000 for the same purpose. “Virginia Beach is fortunate to have so many compassionate and generous citizens,” Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr. said. “The members of Beach Fellowship Church and Wave Church are truly caring folks. I can’t thank them enough.” The city will build the three-story, $39 million Housing Resource Cent...

The Oceanfront Outreach peer specialists, also known as the Pinkies, were one of six recipients to receive a human rights award during the 21st Annual Human Rights Awards Program on April 29. Recipients were selected by members of the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission based on their efforts to promote cultural diversity, social awareness and human rights in our community.  The Oceanfront Initiative, which was launched as a pilot program in July 2014, is designed to enhance outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness who are at the Oceanfront. During the pilot program, six peer outreach specialists, contracted through the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center and under the supervision of the Virginia Beach Department of Human Services, provided a presence at “hot spots” on the boardwalk during the week. The peer specialists, or Pinkies, worked in collaboration with the Virginia Beach Police Department. They provided emergency assistance such as food and clothing and assert...