‘An injustice’: Richmond homeless population could grow even larger due to federal funding change

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With recent data showing homelessness in Richmond has increased since 2020, organizers are warning that a recent federal funding change could put even more people at risk of losing housing.

On Thursday, an announcement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) revealed that the majority of funding awards to homelessness programs would be redirected to transitional housing and supportive services, rather than housing vouchers.

According to the department, the "Housing First" ideology "encourages dependence on endless government handouts while neglecting to address the root causes of homelessness."

But local organizers say the opposite is true.

"It's really an injustice to the people who have been doing this work," said Kelly King Horne, the CEO of Homeward.

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Homeward is the organization that plans and coordinates services for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC), which is the body that receives the funding awards from HUD.

"Over 500 households who are currently getting that critical rental assistance -- it takes that money away," Horne said.

On Monday, Nov. 14, the Richmond City Council was presented with data from GRCoC that showed the city's homelessness issue has still not recovered from a spike post-pandemic.

The data included a point-in-time count, which is a one-night snapshot of the homeless population in the city. It was up to 660 in January, having increased from 546 in 2020.

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"Almost half [of people experiencing homelessness] tell us it was an economic issue, cost of housing, reduction in their work hours or an eviction," Horne said.

That same presentation noted that up to 550 individuals and families enrolled in GRCoC permanent housing programs could lose their housing and access to supportive services, due to the funding notice.

In its notice, HUD said it believes redirecting funds from housing vouchers to mental health, drug rehabilitation and other services will do more long-term to improve the homelessness crisis.

But Horne said that method will only serve to chip away at self-esteem and put more people on the street.

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"This funding proposal is taking us back to having people earn the right for housing -- and we know that just doesn't respect the dignity and the situations and the economic realities facing our community, and so many others," Horne said.

Horne said Homeward and its city partners are coordinating to do what they can to reduce the impact on those 500 households when they lose the funding next year.

To learn more about Homeward, click here. You can find volunteer opportunities here. Resources for people in need of housing or homeless assistance can be found here.