Blog Layout
Homeward Publishes 2024 Gaps Analysis
February 26, 2025
As more and more people in our region face housing instability and are pushed into homelessness, the demand for homeless services is higher than ever before.
Homeward’s 2024 Gaps Analysis for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) highlights critical challenges and strategies in addressing homelessness. The rising cost of housing, exacerbated by the long-term affects of the pandemic, has intensified the crisis, pushing more people into homelessness.
Key recommendations include:
- Focus on deeply affordable housing for individuals earning less than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI), the most vulnerable population.
- Align funding with GRCoC strategies, prioritizing emergency shelters and case management to improve transitions out of homelessness.
- Increase support for rapid rehousing programs, which have successfully housed 80% of participants.
- Expand Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units to meet growing demand.
- Encourage flexible funding and targeted prevention efforts to help individuals stay housed and avoid the trauma of homelessness.
Addressing these gaps is vital to ending homelessness and ensuring stability for Richmond’s most vulnerable.
Read the full Gaps Analysis here.
For more data on homelessness, see here.
Our region's collaborative network of homeless service providers, The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) , supports solutions to homelessness that are focused on getting our neighbors off the street and on to pathways to a permanent home. Why is this approach considered a highly effective method for solving homelessness in our region and across the country?
Greater Richmond Continuum of Care Secures Over 9.3 Million in Federal Funds to Address Homelessness
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced that the Greater Richmond region was awarded $9.39 million in federal funding. That money includes an increase of $1.57 million in new project funds for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) to support our most vulnerable neighbors across the region experiencing homelessness.
In every community, there are moments when resources simply aren't enough to meet the needs of all those who are struggling. This reality can often lead to frustration, especially when we feel powerless in resolving an issue, particularly one as urgent as homelessness. However, it's important to remember that even when we can't solve everything at once, there are always concrete steps we can take to make a real difference.
The federal government, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides a substantial portion of funding for homeless services in our region. In fact, the vast majority of public dollars used to support our most vulnerable neighbors is allocated through a HUD funding process called the Continuum of Care Program.
Compassionate Accountability
Letters of request are due to the CoC by 5 pm, Monday, April 29.