Housing
The issue of affordable housing and homelessness is broad and complex. It affects many here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Approximately one third of people experiencing homelessness are families with children. The housing first model recognizes the importance of stable housing for individuals and families.
What is Housing First?
Housing First is a homeless assistance approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, thus ending their homelessness and serving as a platform from which they can pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life. This approach is guided by the belief that people need basic necessities like food and a place to live before attending to anything less critical, such as getting a job, budgeting properly, or attending to substance use issues. Additionally, Housing First is based on the theory that client choice is valuable in housing selection and supportive service participation, and that exercising that choice is likely to make a client more successful in remaining housed and improving their life.
What is being done?
As part of the Balance of State Continuum of Care, ESCADV is part of the “no wrong door” initiative to assist those impacted by housing concerns. Through the Virginia Homeless Solutions Program homeless individuals and those in danger of becoming of homeless are assisted in finding and affording appropriate, safe housing.