Advocate to Help End Homelessness - 2012 Legislative Update

The Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH) recently had the opportunity to testify before a number of committees about the importance of efforts to end homelessness in the Commonwealth and how the proposed budget amendments for permanent supportive housing/rapid re-housing as well as the Virginia Housing Trust Fund bill would enable the state to meet the Governor's goal to reduce homelessness by 15 percent.

Governor McDonnell’s budget included $1.5 million in new funds to prevent and end homelessness. This includes $500,000 for rapid re-housing and $1 million for permanent supportive housing for funding year 2013. Given that permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing are cost effective permanent solutions to
ending homelessness, VCEH is advocating for a second year of funding for funding year 2014.This level of funding will help end homelessness for 200 households including children and their families and individuals with severe disabilities.

This amendment provides that $1 million be appropriated for permanent supportive housing and $500,000 for rapid re- housing for FY2014 to match the Governor’s $1.5 million appropriation for FY2013.

The VCEH states that permanent supportive housing – affordable housing linked with services – permanently ends homelessness for those with multiple disabilities and saves taxpayers money. Permanent supportive housing is most effective for people with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders. Rapid re-housing, a mix of relatively short-term financial assistance and case management services to address underlying issues is the right combination of services for most households to become stable and get back to work and to help them achieve self sufficiency.

VCEH is currently continuing make contact with the relevant House and Senate subcommittee members in order to ensure the budget amendments successfully transition to the budget report. If you are interested in advocating to end homelessness call or write to your legislators and ask for their support.