SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS
REGIONAL TASK FORCE TO END HOMELESSNESS
APRIL 8, 2011 MINUTES
ATTENDEES:
CLAUDIA GOOCH, THE PLANNING COUNCIL
SHARON SHOFF, VBCDC
ANDY FRIEDMAN, VBDHNP
KIM THOMAS, OTEH
MILCAH WADE, THE DWELLING PLACE
INEZ CRAIG, SDSS
YILLA SMITH, THE PLANNING COUNCIL
SHERNITA BETHEA, HRPDC
LYSANDRA SHAW, CITY OF SUFFOLK
BILL PARK, PORTSMOUTH DBHS
JOHN BOYLAN, CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
MARY AAB, VIRGINIA SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
ANGELA KELLAM, SETON YOUTH SHELTERS
THALER MCCORMICK, FORKIDS
ANDREA CLONTZ, ISLE OF WIGHT
1. CoC Merger- Sharon Shaff and Lysandra Shaw provided an update on the Regional Merger Workgroup
meeting which took place on March 31st. Each CoC selected up to two representatives to serve on the
workgroup tasked with developing a proposed structure and governance for a regional CoC. Members
of the workgroup requested additional information pertaining to how each CoC currently operates and
discussed the possibility of a “phased merger” or “sub-mergers”. The workgroup requested an analysis
of how each CoC looks upon merging with one or more CoC’s.
Members of the Taskforce discussed concerns that the workgroup has abandoned the idea of a
regional merger too early in process by considering the ideas of a phased merger or sub-mergers. The
Taskforce requested that the group remains focused on developing a regional structure that each
individual CoC can consider, and suggested that the Regional Coordinator emphasize that the groups
work is specific to only the CoC NOFA process, and has no impact on local approaches to homelessness.
The Taskforce also suggested that the Regional Coordinator define the workgroups decision making
process as a majority decision, as opposed to a unanimous decision, to help move the group along.
Although the workgroup isn’t yet comfortable with establishing a timeline, the group is scheduled to
meet again on Thursday, April 28th and has scheduled meetings for the fourth Thursday of every month
following. The Regional Coordinator will send members copies of each CoC’s Bylaws and Ten Year
Plans along with existing information on current structures, funding, performance, etc. in an attempt
to educate the workgroup on the work that has already been done, prior to their next meeting. The
Regional Coordinator has spoken with Suzanne Wagner to asses cost for technical assistance and
availability; however she is still awaiting a response from HUD. The workgroup will need to clearly
define what’s expected of Suzanne Wagner. Members also suggested that the Coordinator share
HRPDC’s existing models for regional structures and decision making to help overcome the fears
associated with the loss of local control.
2. SRO Update – Mary Aab reported that Hampton Roads Community Foundation donated $400k to the
Chesapeake SRO project, and Virginia Supportive Housing submitted the tax credit application for the
MISSION STATEMENT
TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR COMMUNICATING, SHARING IDEAS, AND DEVELOPING REGIONAL STRATEGIES TO
ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTHSIDE HAMPTON ROADS.
project and should hear something back in June. Additionally, Western Tidewater has committed to
having 2 units in the project, with the City of Suffolk serving as lead agency. The Suffolk Housing
Authority would like to meet with the administrators of each localities screening process to help
develop a screening process for their two units. The Chesapeake Housing Authority is working to
release MOA’s, Mary encouraged each locality to carefully review the agreement.
South Bay is fully leased and could possibly have housed the highest “literally homeless” or “street
homeless” population of all South Hampton Roads SRO projects. The Virginia Association of Housing
Conference is set to tour South Bay on May 3rd.
3. The Healing Place - Claudia Gooch reported that the Regional Coordinator was unable to attend todays
Taskforce meeting due to a previously scheduled van trip to The Healing Place of Wake County. The
Coordinator is working to schedule a June van trip for Judges and faith partners. Dr. Mallory Read, a
retired Emergency Room physician, has agreed to serve on The Healing Place board of directors; the
committee will continue to look for “community champions” to serve as board members and hopes to
have a board formed by mid-June. Once a board is established the committee will proceed with the
filing of Articles of Incorporation and 501©3 status. The business plan is nearly complete and expected
to be reviewed during the May Healing Place Committee meeting. Claudia emphasized that the
Taskforce should continue looking for a site.
4. Disconnected Youth – Angela Kellam announced that the group meets on the fourth Tuesday of every
month at 10:30am at the BB&T building in Virginia Beach. The group is looking for models to address
the needs of youth 17-24 years of age, to ensure that these youth become independent by the age of
25. Seaton Youth Shelter has received permission from its board to act as a regional leader in
developing a plan to develop a transitional living program. The group will have a presentation on the
federal model and funding opportunities during their May meeting.
5. Point in Time Update – Claudia Gooch reported that the Regional Coordinator will start contacting
representatives from each locality to start meeting. The date for the summer PIT count was set during
last month’s meeting for Wednesday, July 27th.
6. 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians- Members of the taskforce wondered if it would make sense to
combine the launch of the 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians campaign with the summer PIT count.
The Taskforce agreed that both events should be planned together for reinforcement and that the
Taskforce should consider launching the campaign once the results of the summer PIT count are
released. The Regional Coordinator will provide additional information during next month’s meeting.
7. 2012 Regional Conference – The Taskforce was asked to consider hosting the conference at Virginia
Wesleyan during the week of their 2012 spring break, sometime in March. Claudia will reserve a date
and will recruit help from the taskforce to start planning the conference. Members agreed that
disconnected youth should be one of the topics covered during the conference.
8. Announcements
MISSION STATEMENT
TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR COMMUNICATING, SHARING IDEAS, AND DEVELOPING REGIONAL STRATEGIES TO
ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTHSIDE HAMPTON ROADS.
a. FORKIDS – Thaler McCormick announced that ForKids submitted the support services for veteran
families grant on behalf of South Hampton Roads. The ForKids Art Auction took place on April
2ND; the event raised over $350K. Thaler thanked the members of the Taskforce for their
support.
b. REGIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GROUP – Andrea Clontz announced that the Regional
Emergency Management Group has developed a subcommittee to address social needs. An
invitation was extended to all members of the Taskforce to attend the subcommittees next
meeting on April 19th at 9:30am at HRPDC.
c. AFFORDABLE HOUSING AWARENESS LUNCHEON- Andy Friedman announced that he is working with
HRPDC to organize a complementary Affordable Housing Luncheon on April 28th to provide an
overview of upcoming affordable housing projects.
d. J-1 VISA PROGRAM- John Boylan announced that he was recently invited to join a meeting with a
diverse group of individuals working to prepare for the arrival of foreign exchange students.
The group works to ensure that the needs of exchange students are met. The group has
developed an extensive list of properties for exchange students to rent for an extremely low
price during the summer months. John suggested that disconnected youth group consider
reaching out to the J-1 Visa program.
e. SETON YOUTH SHELTERS– Angela Kellam announced that the Seton Youth Shelter is set to host the
12th Annual Kentucky Derby Party on May 7th from 5pm-10pm. Those interested in purchasing
tickets for the event should contact Angela or look out for special ticket rates in the newspaper.
MISSION STATEMENT
TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR COMMUNICATING, SHARING IDEAS, AND DEVELOPING REGIONAL STRATEGIES TO
ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTHSIDE HAMPTON ROADS.