Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Virginia Supportive Housing Southeastern Virginia Homelessness Coalition Permanent Supportive Housing Services, which serves Suffolk, Chesapeake and Norfolk, are among localities sharing in more than $12 million in funds targeted at reducing homelessness.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin awarded the local homeless coalition $250,000 for the 2023 fiscal year Monday, March 13 as he announced 68 awards from the Virginia Housing Trust Fund Homeless Reduction Grants. The funding targets efforts to reduce homelessness for 2,669 individuals and families through 25 permanent supportive housing, 34 rapid rehousing and nine underserved populations innovation projects.

“A critical element of our pursuit of new businesses in the commonwealth is the housing needed to support these economic development efforts,” Youngkin said in a news release. “This funding will help us protect our most vulnerable populations, address Virginia’s housing supply problem and ensure that homelessness in the commonwealth is rare, brief and nonrecurring.”

The Virginia Housing Trust Fund is provided by the General Assembly and the grants announced today represent 20% of this fiscal year’s fund investment. The remaining funds support the production of new or rehabilitated housing units through the Affordable and Special Needs Housing Program.

“Housing is foundational for building vibrant communities and strong local economies across the Commonwealth,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick said. “With this round of funding, we are focusing on strategies that have proven successful in reducing homelessness, such as rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing, ensuring that no vulnerable Virginians are left behind.”