City Requests Plan to Continue Services Provided by Freedom House

~Homeward to develop transition plan for services to people experiencing homelessness~

In response to the closure of Freedom House, the City’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Human Services Stephen Harms has requested that the Executive Director of Homeward, Kelly King Horne, in cooperation with homelessness prevention staff at the Richmond Department of Social Services (RDSS), develop a transition plan for services to people experiencing homelessness. Homeward serves as the regional planning and coordinating body for homeless services and is funded by the City of Richmond to conduct annual planning on homelessness and to fulfill state and federal requirements related to homeless services. Homeward and RDSS will work in partnership with Freedom House leadership and the regional network of homeless services providers and funders to ensure the continuation of services for people currently assisted by Freedom House. 

The initial assessment and transition plan will be completed within the next ten days. 

Harms said, “Mayor Jones and City Council have made clear the importance they place on providing adequate services to people experiencing homelessness. Homeward is the best organization to assess and determine a plan to ensure that adequate services are provided to those in need.”