FAQs

  • What is Virginia Supportive Housing?

    Virginia Supportive Housing (VSH) is a not-for-profit organization that ends homelessness by providing permanent housing and supportive services.

  • Is Virginia Supportive Housing a non-profit organization?

    Yes, Virginia Supportive Housing is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization (Tax ID# 54-1444564) that exists thanks to the support and engagement of the community.

  • How long has Virginia Supportive Housing been around?

    Virginia Supportive Housing was founded in 1988 under the name SRO Housing of Richmond. In 1999, VSH began serving families, and so to more accurately reflect its mission, the Board of Directors changed its name from SRO Housing of Richmond to Virginia Supportive Housing.

  • What kinds of programs & services are offered by Virginia Supportive Housing?

    Virginia Supportive Housing provides an integrated model that combines permanent affordable rental housing and robust supportive services.

    • Supportive Housing Properties: VSH develops and manages permanent housing communities in Central Virginia, South Hampton Roads, and Charlottesville.
    • Scattered Site Housing: Chronically homeless individuals, including those with a severe mental illness, and/or substance abuse and chronic physical disabilities are housed in scattered site apartments. Home-based supportive services are then provided through three programs — A Place To Start, HomeLink, and Shelter Plus Care.
    • Supportive Services: Robust supportive services, including case management, counseling, skills training and community building, are provided to enable residents to stabilize and maintain permanent housing.

  • Who are Virginia Supportive Housing’s clients?

    The homeless individuals and families VSH serves represent the very lowest levels of income in our region (30% or less of area median income). This financial situation is often compounded by other challenges, including mental illness and physical disabilities.

  • How many clients are served by VSH?

    In 2020, VSH served more than 1,600 individuals:

    • We provided permanent supportive housing to 919 formerly homeless individuals and 201 low-income individuals.
    • We provided rapid rehousing and supportive services to 545 veterans and their families.

  • What are some VSH successes?

    For over two decades, VSH has been a statewide leader in affordable housing and quality services for many of the community’s hardest-to-serve populations. Five VSH housing developments (The Crossings, Heron’s Landing, Gosnold Apartments, New Clay House, and Family Apartments) and one program (A Place To Start) have been recognized in recent years with the Virginia Governor’s Housing Achievement award.

    In 2016, Crescent Square, in Virginia Beach, received the Innovative Deal of the Year award from Urban Land Institute Virginia. The award was announced at its annual Vision Awards ceremony, which celebrates projects that advance the ULI Virginia’s mission to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.

  • Isn’t it expensive to meet the needs of the chronically homeless?

    Chronically homeless individuals cost taxpayers an average of $100,000 annually because of their inappropriate, costly use of hospital emergency rooms, 911 services, temporary shelter programs, meal programs, and other social services. Through supportive service programs, we are able to bring the average cost to taxpayers down to $8,000-$12,000 per year. It is significantly less expensive to provide permanent supportive housing to homeless individuals, and this integrated approach has a nationwide success rate of approximately 90%. VSH has a success rate above 95%, which means that more than 95% of our clients do not return to homelessness.

  • How can I find out more about VSH?

    There are a variety of ways to find out more about the exciting work of VSH!

  • How can I support VSH?

    Virginia Supportive Housing welcomes support from the community in the form of:

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