Richmond homelessness sees first five-year increase since 2010
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Richmond City Council received an annual update on the Richmond Strategic Plan to End Homelessness on Monday.
According to the report, the most recent count reports 680 people experiencing homelessness in Richmond, with 333 being unsheltered and 347 being sheltered. This was a "point-in-time count," providing a one-night snapshot of homelessness through shelters, transitional housing, domestic violence shelters and unsheltered locations.
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Of the people surveyed, 48% of them reported economic factors as the primary cause of their homelessness. Forty-five percent of them reported Richmond was the last place they had stable housing prior to experiencing homelessness.
In the last five years, shelter capacity for year-round facilities has increased from 335 to 384 beds -- with 100 of those beds are funded by the government.
Inclement weather shelters has increased capacity from 150 to 166 beds in that same time period.
During that same five-year period, homelessness in Richmond increased from 546 to 660. This is the first five-year period to see an increase since 2010, according to the report.
City Council Meeting report (Photo: City of Richmond)
According to the report, average rent prices in Richmond have increased by 24% since 2020, and the overall city population has increased by 13% since 2010. The rental vacancy rate has dropped by 5%.
The City is continuing its focus on permanent supportive housing (PSH) -- long-term rental assistance given to people who meet certain criteria, such as one year of continual homelessness. In the last five years, the city has added 86 PSH units, with 110 more funded and expected to be added by 2030.
City Council Meeting report (Photo: City of Richmond)
Upcoming federal changes are also expected to affect funding soon. A forthcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would reduce permanent housing Continuum of Care funding in Richmond from 87% to 30%. According to the report, 550 individuals and families enrolled in the city's permanent housing programs could lose their housing and access to supportive services.
Senators Mark Warner and Time Kaine have signed a letter urging the department to extend all current Continuum of Care contracts for one year.
