Greater Richmond Continuum of Care provides over 64 people with emergency shelter, transitions to healthcare and supportive services

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In the last three days, the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) connected at least 64 individuals who were unsheltered to emergency shelter and emergency shelter alternatives. 

Based on best practices currently used around the state and country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the effort was not limited to housing. Affected residents have entered a support system that consists of safe, indoor accommodations, meal delivery, and ongoing support from outreach workers.

The GRCoC has offered two weeks of emergency shelter alternative housing in order to facilitate rapid placement of people at risk in safe accommodations. During this time, the GRCoC outreach staff, including city partners, will monitor the situation and extend the period if the health and safety of those individuals require it.  

The effort will now focus on connecting those same individuals to permanent housing units and services like employment opportunities and healthcare.

During this period, the City of Richmond will continue to partner with the GRCoC to coordinate emergency shelter and ensure the provision of other essential services for the homeless.

“With this collaborative effort, we were able to quickly address the immediate health and safety needs of our unsheltered neighbors,” said Kelly King Horne, Executive Director of Homeward. 
“We will continue to work to address the urgent needs faced by people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people experiencing homelessness are at greater risk. The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care will shift its focus to connect people to stable housing and services such as employment, education, and healthcare. We know that housing is the strongest form of healthcare, and safe shelter is a great place to start,” said King Horne.
“We are proud to have been a part of this tremendous effort to ensure the health and safety of our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Jay Brown, CEO of Commonwealth Catholic Charities. “We look forward to continued collaboration with the city, Homeward, and the GRCoC to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness have access to services and housing during and after this crisis.” 

Most of the individuals who were afforded emergency shelter spaces or emergency shelter alternatives were affiliated with the encampment outside the Giles Center known as Camp Cathy. 
Thursday, March 19 will be the last day that the GRCoC Coordinated Outreach Team will conduct activities on site. People experiencing homelessness are encouraged to connect with a member of the Outreach Team or to call the Homeless Crisis Line at 804-972-0813.
On Wednesday, March 18, the Blessing Warriors organization began removing their property from the site and requested help disposing of vacant and unwanted tents, the residents of which had been moved into emergency shelters or alternatives. The city will continue to remove vacant and unwanted tents and items on Thursday, continuing to coordinate with Blessing Warriors and residents as needed.
Access to the camp site will be restricted to authorized staff beginning Thursday to meet public health guidelines. Ongoing efforts will continue to focus on offering safe indoor accommodations to provide consistent access to necessities during the pandemic.
The city extends its thanks to the GRCoC partners involved in outreach:
Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Daily Planet Health Services
Homeward
Richmond Police Department HOPE Unit
Richmond Department of Social Services
Richmond Behavioral Health Authority
CARITAS
Human Services
NAACP Housing Committee 
If you would like to support the meal provision and delivery program, use this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0949acae2da3fb6-support 
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