MAKE ROOM TURNS ATTENTION TO NEW SOUTH BAY PROJECT

The reality is that on any given day, more than 1,400 people in South Hampton Roads are homeless. Among this group, 37 percent spend their days and nights unsheltered. Many suffer from mental and physical health problems that have only worsened due to living on the streets. Other factors resulting in greater vulnerability include limited education and skills training, foster care, incarceration, and alcohol or drug abuse.

Across the country, permanent supportive housing is making a difference in the effort to end homelessness. Permanent supportive housing combines affordable rental housing with services to support residents, including employment, literacy and substance abuse recovery programs.

In late 2006, South Hampton Roads became home to the first regional supportive housing residence of its kind in the nation. Through a partnership of the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, the Gosnold Apartments in Norfolk now houses 60 formerly homeless individuals in efficiency units. Residents are often connected to employment (and other supportive services), and pay rent.

Now the effort continues with the South Bay Apartments in Portsmouth.

South Bay Apartments is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2010.

Once again, 60 apartments will be made available for homeless people who have worked hard to re-enter society and are paying rent. In addition to the three cities who participated in Gosnold, the city of Chesapeake has joined this effort.

Please join our efforts with a donation or through our upcoming fund-raisers to help by supporting Virginia Supportive Housing, the South Bay Apartments,

For more information or group presentations, please contact Barbara Barnes at 757-373-8288.