ABOUT MAKE ROOM HAMPTON ROADS Make Room Hampton Roads originated as a class project for the Lead Hampton Roads Class of 2007. Now, Make Room Hampton Roads is the project team that includes representatives from VA Supportive Housing, the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth and VA Beach and the alumni if LHR's Class of 2007. (Read about Lead Hampton Roads) In late 2006, South Hampton Roads became home to the first regional permanent supportive housing residence of its kind in the nation. Through a partnership of the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, Gosnold Apartments (at right) in Norfolk houses 60 formerly homeless individuals in efficiency units. Residents are connected to employment and other supportive resources, and are expected to pay 30 percent of his or her income as rent. In 2007, members of Lead Hampton Roads (the Chamber of Commerce's leadership program) initiated Make Room as a class project. The centerpiece was "A Sleep in the Park," a special night designed to raise money and awareness for the cause. With support from individuals and local companies, the 2007 LHR class raised more than $40,000 and helped Virginia Supportive Housing complete the Gosnold project. Now the effort continues with in Portsmouth. The South Bay Apartments (below) is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2010. Once again, 60 apartments will be made available for the formerly homeless people from Portsmouth, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. Please join our efforts with a donation or through our upcoming fundraisers to help by supporting Virginia Supportive Housing and the South Bay project. For more information, contact the Make Room Info Line: 757-413-2899.