Hampton presents strategy to help working poor, highlights ALICE population and ‘stone soup’ partnership model

Deanna Valentine, Hampton’s director of Economic Empowerment and Family Resiliency, told the City Council on Monday that Hampton’s poverty rate is 13% and that roughly 40% of residents fall at or below the ALICE (asset‑limited, income‑constrained, employed) threshold.

Valentine said those figures, drawn from the city’s 2024 poverty study, place Hampton slightly below some neighboring cities but leave large pockets of need: “When we look at combining both the ALICE threshold and our pockets of poverty, the people that are living in poverty, we’re looking at more than 50% of our population between ALICE and poverty.”

The presentation outlined why standard, short‑term programs often fail to produce lasting outcomes and identified barriers residents face — from eviction records and criminal‑record barriers to transportation, childcare and the “benefits cliff” that can discourage incremental wage gains. “Any sort of a critical illness, vehicle might need repairs, housing repairs could very easily slide these individuals and these families backwards into poverty,” Valentine said.

Why it matters: Council members said the briefing helps frame where city resources and partnerships can be most effective amid budget constraints. Council and staff emphasized that Hampton has many service providers but the community needs better coordination, up‑to‑date referral information and targeted, scalable programs that reach the working poor and those just below eligibility thresholds for social benefits.

Key proposals and pilot ideas

- Centralized resource guide: Valentine proposed a single, regularly updated index — an app or landing page with city‑sponsored and community resources — to reduce time spent by residents searching multiple, inconsistent lists.

- Hampton “Stone Soup” initiative: a partnership model that encourages congregations, nonprofits, employers and residents to contribute targeted services or short‑term supports so resources collectively fill gaps for families.

- Targeted post‑secondary training and stacked credentials: Valentine described a pilot co‑hosted with Virginia Peninsula Community College at West Hampton Community Center to connect residents with workforce certificates and stackable credentials (CNA, phlebotomy, radiology tech, etc.). She said many participants would qualify for little or no tuition under existing programs.

- Guaranteed income pilots: Valentine described models in other localities and said most pilots she reviewed provide about $500 per month for selected participants; she said Richmond has launched multiple cohorts and Alexandria is concluding a pilot.

- Temporary housing and repurposing of congregation property: staff discussed working with faith groups to repurpose unused parcels or buildings for temporary shelter, childcare or affordable housing.

Council response and next steps

Vice Mayor Brown asked for living‑wage calculations for Virginia and Hampton; Valentine said she would provide the figures. Councilmembers pushed for clearer provider accountability and better outreach: Councilwoman Muggler described difficulty reaching some nonprofits and urged a gap analysis to identify programs that are duplicative or underperforming.

Valentine said her office is building a tracking framework for people who contact the department (initial outreach, referrals, job placement and follow‑up), and that current staff includes Valentine and one staff member transferred from economic development with additional hires planned. She said early workforce events had low turnout (three attendees at the first information session and one at a second) and staff plan expanded outreach — including partnerships with neighborhood groups, churches and the schools — and use of print outreach where appropriate.

Valentine also referenced a $4,600,000 neighborhood resource grant (Congressional discretionary funding) that aligns with planned resource‑center work in historic Phoebus and Northampton; staff said those centers will be coordinated with the Family Resiliency and Economic Empowerment department.

Ending

Council members praised the cross‑departmental approach and the city manager and council urged Valentine to return with specific living‑wage figures, a refined outreach plan for the Stone Soup initiative and an updated resource inventory. Valentine said staff will continue community events, build the centralized guide and pursue partnerships with Virginia Peninsula Community College and other local providers.