5 programs get grant money to fight homelessness in Roanoke
By Katie Love, Reporter
Five programs are getting extra money to help lower the number of homeless people in our area.
The Department of Housing and Community Development awarded the city of Roanoke with a ‘Homeless Solutions Grant.’
The goal is to help households experiencing homelessness and help them maintain stable housing.
The money will help with gas, phones, electric and water, some salaries, office supplies, and overall maintenance.
The groups have already seen an impact from previous grants.
In January, the group tracked the number of homeless people and there 527 in our area. That’s down 34 people from 2012.
Breakdown of Grant Money:
- City of Roanoke Central Intake: $44,471
- Community Housing Resource Center: $33,000
- Family Promise of Greater Roanoke: $20,500
- Trust House: $25,000
- Total Action Progress: $24,376
Love, Katie. 5 programs get grant money to fight homelessness in Roanoke. Posted on 8/19/2013. wsls.com
A closer look at the impact: Money well spent!
Here’s a closer look at the impact of these 5 programs and more on homelessness in the Roanoke Valley.
- Number of families placed in permanent housing since November 1, 2012: 52
- Number of individuals placed in permanent housing since November 1, 2012: 108
- Number of chronically homeless individuals placed in permanent housing since November 1, 2012: 21
- Current number of landlord partners: 63
- Average length of time from entry into shelter to placement in permanent housing: 187 days (April 2013)
- Average length of time from entry into shelter to placement in permanent housing: 41 days (July 2013)
- Length of homelessness has decreased 78% since April for rapid-rehousing particpants
- Average length of time from program referral to placement in permanent housing: 16 days
- Formal referral structure in place: referrals received from all providers including: Rescue Mission, HAT, Red Shield Lodge, Trust House, Turning Point, Family Promise, TAP TLC, VA
- Participants receive housing search assistance, case management, housing start up costs (deposits, first month rent, and short-term declining rental subsidy)
- Partnerships in place to connect families to existing community resources to meet additional needs