Update from the Western VA CoC – Addressing Chronic Homelessness in our Region

A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a federal program that provides funds to nonprofit providers who seek to end homelessness. The Western Virginia CoC, which covers six counties and the cities of Harrisonburg and Winchester, is tasked with coordinating nonprofit partner agencies that support the needs of homeless individuals and families. These agencies offer services including street outreach, emergency shelter operations, prevention, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and the centralized housing intake hot line.

With collaboration from Community Solutions, the CoC and partner agencies seek to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-reoccurring through a data-driven and community-wide approach and commitment. In July 2019, the CoC initiated monthly case conferencing focused on addressing the needs of those most vulnerable through a by-name list. The CoC housed 84 chronically homeless individuals and veterans in our community in 2020.

Many thanks to all the CoC’s regional partner agencies for the hard work and resiliency in a year like no other. The Western Virginia Continuum of Care continues to refine our community-based processes by working to clear structural and systemic barriers that lead to chronic homelessness. For more information, visit www.continuumofcare513.com