City Manager Sam Sanders told the City Council on Sept. 15 that addressing homelessness is a sustained, multi‑year priority for Charlottesville and summarized steps the city has taken since 2023 to expand shelter capacity, coordinate providers and pursue permanent supportive housing.

Sanders said the city approved a $3 million contribution to the Salvation Army’s Center for Hope capital campaign to expand beds and services and is working with the Salvation Army and other providers to produce an operational plan for a low‑barrier shelter. “We did that and that is actual contribution that's been made,” Sanders said about the $3 million commitment.

Why it matters: Council, staff and community providers have been trying to create a year‑round, low‑barrier shelter and additional permanent supportive housing for several years. Sanders said the city is exploring multiple options — including a proposed Cherry Avenue thrift‑store site, vacant Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA) parcels and the Avon‑Levy site — and coordinating regional partners to share responsibility and operations.

Key points Sanders described:
- A $3 million city contribution to expand Salvation Army beds from 55 to 114 and related dining/ service improvements; the Salvation Army’s campaign remains ongoing.
- Council included $500,000 annually in the FY26 budget to help operate a low‑barrier shelter and authorized up to $1 million to offset operating losses if the Cherry Avenue thrift site is used.
- The city is advancing permanent supportive housing projects, including Vista 29 (formerly Premier Circle), a project scheduled for completion in 2026 that will add roughly 80 units intended for people exiting homelessness.
- The city formed an internal working group and has been meeting with regional partners, nonprofits (BRAC, PACHA, The Haven) and the Salvation Army to develop operations, site feasibility, and financing.
- Sanders said the city has followed a “soft‑touch” approach to enforcement at Market Street Park in 2023 and continues to provide storage pods and case management to reduce harm while seeking long‑term housing solutions.

Council members asked about timing, operations and funding. Councilor Michael described Vista 29 as a significant upcoming resource but noted it will not house everyone and that more permanent supportive housing will be needed. Councilor Lloyd cautioned the public against expecting “half‑made plans” to be final and stressed the need to align nonprofit operators, county partners and philanthropy behind a consistent operations plan.

Sanders also described a tour of Caritas in Richmond and said he hopes to send a delegation to study that multi‑service model. He reiterated that the city continues to search for suitable property to purchase and upfit for shelter use and that any acquisition will require a capital investment to bring a site up to code and service needs.

Ending: Sanders told council that homelessness is a citywide problem that requires sustained public, nonprofit and regional investment and that staff will return with feasibility analyses and refined options as sites, operations and funding are developed.