SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS
REGIONAL TASK FORCE TO END HOMELESSNESS
JUNE 10, 2011 MINUTES
ATTENDEES:
CLAUDIA GOOCH, THE PLANNING COUNCIL
SHARON SHOFF, VBCDC
ANDY FRIEDMAN, VBDHNP
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
SUZANNE PURYEAR, THE PLANNING COUNCIL
SARAH FULLER, NORFOLK-OTEH
ELISABETH LIMBAUGH, THE PLANNING COUNCIL
ALISA WINSTON, CITY OF CHESAPEAKE
STACIE WALLS-BEEGLE, ACCESS AIDS
RUTH HILL, SAMARITAN HOUSE
1. SRO Update – Mary Aab reported that the tax credits for the Chesapeake SRO have been approved. As
it stands the 60 unit SRO will consist of 34 units for Chesapeake residents, 10 units from Portsmouth
residents, 8 units for Virginia Beach residents, 6 units for Norfolk residents, and 2 units for Suffolk
residents. MOU’s for this project have been sent to the Housing Authorities. Upon the request of
representatives, Mary will schedule a meeting with the Housing Authorities to review the MOU and
clarify the procedure.
Alisa Winston announced that she plans to forward an electronic draft of the environmental
assessment for the proposed site to each city for review along with the MOU’s for the David Bacon Act,
by the end of the week. Additionally, Alisa reported that the Chesapeake City Council has requested
that zoning consider decreasing the number of required parking spaces for SRO’s. This decision could
take several months and VSH needs an answer by the end of August. CoC’s were asked to vote on
whether or not to add a veteran’s preference for the SRO by end of August, however several members
questioned if setting a preference is allowable and requested clarification from the Housing Authorities
prior to proceeding.
Mary reported that five individuals graduated from Gosnold and three individuals graduated from
Cloverleaf, with Section 8 vouchers. Mary also reported that there were a couple of unsuccessful exits
between both Gosnold and Cloverleaf, and South Bay already has two individuals pending eviction.
2. Permanent Supportive Housing Tour w/ VCEH- Sarah Fuller reported that the Virginia Coalition to End
Homelessness (VCEH) is hosting a statewide Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Tour the week of
June 24th. The tour will highlight the success of PSH programs in Norfolk, Richmond and Arlington in an
effort to gain congressional support and launch the 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians campaign.
Gosnold is the host location for Norfolk. Attendees will be given the opportunity speak with residents
of scattered site PSH programs and provided with a tour of both Gosnold and ForKids PSH project
based families program. In promotion of a regional perspective, Sarah requested that each locality
submit a photo board showcasing PSH programs around the region for display during the tour.
MISSION STATEMENT
TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR COMMUNICATING, SHARING IDEAS, AND DEVELOPING REGIONAL STRATEGIES TO
ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTHSIDE HAMPTON ROADS.
3. 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians- Sarah Fuller reported that Phyllis Chamberlin, VCEH has agreed to
present information on this initiative to the Taskforce, however city’s need to determine if they will be
participating as a region, or if they will be participate as individual cities. Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and
Chesapeake expressed interest in participating in the event, along with Suffolk pending more
information. Sarah is inviting representatives from interested localities to meet and begin planning for
the launch of this campaign. Members agreed meet after each Taskforce meeting.
VCEH is set to host it first Registry Week Boot Camp in Richmond July 29th through August 1st.
Members of the taskforce are encouraged to register for the boot camp, which is designed to provide
localities with all of the tools necessary to conduct a registry week in their region.
4. Summer Census Update- John Boylan announced that the committee met on June 3rd and initiated
discussion on the goals of summer count. The committee discussed the pros and cons of organizing a
24-hour count and utilizing the methodology used in the winter PIT count, and the potential pros and
cons of changing the methodology and making the count longer than 24-hours for the summer count.
The committee also reviewed a sample survey and considered ways to utilize HMIS in the data
collection and reporting process. Representatives from the disconnected youth population also
attended the meeting, and asked that the committee consider avoiding the use of the word “census”
as the youth population associate the word with the government and may refuse to participate due to
their lack of trust in that entity. Disconnected youth representatives also suggested that the survey
instrument be appropriate for kids and not lose their attention, and include questions that assist in
identifying if the individual is homeless. The committee agreed to move the count from July 27th to
early or mid-August and considered conducting the count on a Saturday or Sunday.
5. CoC Merger- Lysandra Shaw provided an update on the Regional Merger Workgroup which met on
May 26th and began working on the overall structure of a Regional Consortium. The group questions
the Taskforce’s role in the decision making process and requested clarification on the where the
Taskforce considers themselves in the structure of the Regional Consortium. The group received
clarification from HUD on the merger of HMIS projects, the need for a regional consolidated plan, and
UFA’s. Members of the work group will plan to give a presentation during the next Taskforce meeting.
Both Western Tidewater and Chesapeake have voted to join Norfolk in a merger under the 2011 CoC
Application. Virginia Beach announced that they voted to not join this year’s merger, and Portsmouth
is scheduled to vote on the June 16th.
6. Disconnected Youth – Angela Kellam announced the group continues to look 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.
The group has plans to bring in those familiar with best practices to facilitate discussions and assess
funding opportunities. Additionally, Seaton Youth Shelter submitted a grant proposal to the Obici
Foundation for a planning grant to address how housing affects the health of youth. The proposal will
explore collaborations with job training programs to assist youth with obtaining entry level jobs. The
group will continue to meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 10:30am at the BB&T building in
Virginia Beach; representatives from each locality are encouraged to attend.
MISSION STATEMENT
TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR COMMUNICATING, SHARING IDEAS, AND DEVELOPING REGIONAL STRATEGIES TO
ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTHSIDE HAMPTON ROADS.
7. The Healing Place - Claudia Gooch reported that a draft business plan was forwarded to the Taskforce
via email for review. The Business Plan is the first step in recruiting a legislative champion, board
members, community advocates, etc. Pages 20-22 introduce the project schedule and information on
ongoing and capital costs. Members of the Taskforce suggested that the proposal include more
regional information, including information from the Peninsula. Members also suggested changing the
language on the funding chart to include the following statement: “Applications will be made for
funding for each source.” The inclusion of this statement is meant to ensure that language under this
section isn’t so “committed.” A motion was made to approve the Business Plan as amended and
approved by majority vote.
8. 2012 Regional Conference – The Regional Coordinator explored all of the options discussed during the
May Taskforce meeting. After speaking with Homeward, it was determined that merging the two
conferences isn’t an option. In regards to the location, ODU’s Webb Center is available, free of charge
for Non-profits, from March 5th -8th and can provide the use of a large space and multiple break out
rooms within the same building, the only stipulation is that the Taskforce must utilize the schools
catering service for the event. Members agreed to move forward with scheduling the event at ODU on
Thursday, March 8th, with Wednesday, March 7th as a backup day.
9. Announcements
a. CONNECTION POINT- Ruth Hill announced that Virginia Beach has successful launched Connection
Point of Virginia Beach, a centralized information and referral center to assist individuals and
families what are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or confronted with a housing crisis.
b. FORKIDS – Thaler McCormick announced that ForKids submitted the support services for veteran
families grant on behalf of South Hampton Roads; however the announcement of awards has
been postponed and is expected sometime this summer.
c. REGIONAL SAMSHA GRANT APPLICATION– Sarah Fuller announced that after further review and
clarification of eligible units, the decision was made to not submit a regional SAMSHA
application. Sarah requested that the Taskforce consider reviewing the project model and
assess the regions capacity to secure “large” grants.
d. NORFOLK PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT- Sarah Fuller announced that Norfolk will host the next
Project Homeless Connect event on September 14th.
e. SAMARITAN HOUSE FUNDRAISER– Ruth Hill invited members of the Taskforce to attend a beer
tasting and auction fundraising event on June 22nd, proceeds from the event will support the
Samaritan House.
10. Next Meeting- Friday, July 8th
MISSION STATEMENT
TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR COMMUNICATING, SHARING IDEAS, AND DEVELOPING REGIONAL STRATEGIES TO
ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTHSIDE HAMPTON ROADS.