Virginia to provide temporary shelter for 1,500 homeless
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Virginia will spend $2.5 million to provide temporary shelter for nearly 2,000 homeless people statewide during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ralph Northam announced today.
The money will support Virginians who are currently unsheltered or rely on shelters that require them to leave every day, as well as those who are in shelters who may need to be quarantined, or where social distancing is not feasible.
“As we battle this unprecedented public health crisis, we must make sure no one is left behind,” Northam said. “I have issued a statewide Stay at Home order, but we know there are many Virginians with no home to stay in. With this funding, we will ensure people experiencing homelessness have access to immediate housing options and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Funding will be used for hotel and motel vouchers, case management, food, cleaning supplies, and medical transportation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide partial funding to support people experiencing homelessness who are 65 and older, those with other pre-existing conditions, as well as those who have tested positive for COVID-19.
People experiencing homelessness are more likely to have chronic health conditions that go untreated and are among the populations most vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19, according to state officials. In recent years, Virginia has seen an increase in the number of older adults experiencing homelessness.
Virginia’s housing support system also relies largely on the use of congregate shelters, which can lack adequate space for social distancing. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the Virginia Department of Health have provided guidance to homeless shelters about the best practices to safely serve the homeless population during the COVID-19 epidemic, state officials said.
In addition, DHCD is preparing additional housing options for an estimated 10 percent of the 3,890 Virginians currently in shelters to allow space for social distancing and safe quarantine practices as needed.
Additional resources and information about Virginia’s COVID-19 response are available at virginia.gov/coronavirus.
