Charlottesville
The supportive services and housing that VSH offers its residents help to change their lives through measures both large and small. Whether it’s providing a roof over someone’s head or helping them get the support they need, our work improves the lives of our residents in meaningful ways. By combining housing development, property management and supportive services, VSH delivers a unified approach to the mission of ending homelessness. Our model ensures better teamwork and coordination that deliver results in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Our programs in the region include:
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Move On
The ultimate goal of supportive services is to help those we serve to regain stability and independence. For many of our residents and program participants, the final step in their journey is to be able to move out of VSH housing into housing of their own. VSH’s Move On program supports individuals in this transition.
Through Move On, our Supportive Services teams identify interested residents and work with them to create individualized plans preparing them to move out of permanent supportive housing and live independently. Preparations range from securing housing vouchers and income to pay for rent and utilities to building a social support system. Once a client Moves On, VSH provides supportive services for up to a year, which helps ensure that the transition into stable, independent housing is sustainable and successful.
Through Move On, we can support residents in their journey back to independence while opening those units of permanent supportive housing for individuals still experiencing homelessness.
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Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
All VSH-owned properties offer voluntary on-site supportive services to residents.
Residents of VSH properties include individuals who have experienced homelessness, have little to no income, have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, are veterans, and/or have a Traumatic Brain Injury.
The major components of VSH’s supportive services are case management, individual counseling, skill building, social connectivity, and community engagement. Residents are referred through each community’s local housing authority and/or in collaboration with the coordinated entry process, which consists of a group of providers that operates through the locality’s Continuum of Care and serves as the centralized access point for those who are experiencing homelessness.
Properties also offer a range of amenities available on-site for our residents, from phone, computer, and laundry rooms to fitness centers, mailrooms and bike lockers. There are also communal spaces, including community rooms, courtyards, and sitting areas. These spaces are a place for our residents to come together for events and activities, from haircuts and food giveaways to bingo nights and birthday parties. Events like these are put on by both our team at the property and by volunteers.
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Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
The SSVF program is an initiative funded by the Veterans Administration to prevent and end Veteran homelessness. VSH administers the largest and longest running SSVF program in Virginia.
The SSVF program serves veteran individuals and families at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. For individuals and families at risk of homelessness, SSVF offers preventative funds and services aimed at maintaining housing stability. For individuals and families currently experiencing homelessness, SSVF provides rapid rehousing assistance aimed at regaining stable housing as quickly as possible. SSVF also provides short-term case management to link individuals and families to benefits as well as temporary financial assistance to maintain or achieve housing stability.
Referrals for those experiencing homelessness come to SSVF via a coordinated entry process in Charlottesville.
The SSVF team consists of the Program Manager, Housing Case Managers, Outreach Specialist, Housing Navigators, and Intake Coordinator.