Regional homelessness coalition outlines local counts, HUD limits and volunteer needs

Don Scott, the homeless systems navigator with FLAGLER by way of Saint Joseph’s Villa, and Crater Area Coalition on Homelessness Director Shaska Weathers told the Petersburg City Council on May 6 that regional coordination is expanding efforts to prevent and end homelessness in Petersburg and surrounding localities.

The presenters said the coalition (CASH) operates under HUD rules and collects figures that meet HUD’s strict definition of homelessness — people living in shelters, on the street, or in places not meant for human habitation — and therefore do not include unstably housed people who are “couch surfing” or paying for hotel stays. Katie Clon (presented as Katie Clan), the coalition data lead, said the system showed roughly 330 households and about 555 people served in Petersburg in the last fiscal year; of those, Clon said, about 215 were minors and 123 households included children. Clon told council that as of April 25 of the current fiscal year the coalition had recorded 489 people served — 276 adults and 213 children — and 118 households with minor children.

Clon stressed that the reported totals reflect only people who connected to funded providers and were entered into the HUD‑mandated data system; she warned that the data therefore understates the broader need. She also described the HUD point‑in‑time count, a single‑night census HUD requires each January, and said that on the most recent count crews found six individuals sleeping outside in Petersburg during a night with a reported temperature of 19°F and a wind chill near 9°F. The coalition plans a pilot summer point‑in‑time count in Petersburg to capture seasonal changes in street homelessness, she said.

Presenters described the “Housing First” approach used by coalition members — prioritizing getting people into housing regardless of other life circumstances — and listed services available through the regional network: rapid rehousing, youth and outreach programs, shelter options, prevention and intervention services, mental‑health skill building, and HUD‑VASH vouchers for veterans. Weathers said CASH’s service region covers multiple localities (including Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Emporia, Hopewell, Petersburg, Prince George, Surrey, Sussex, Wakefield and Waverly) and urged shared responsibility for shelter and services across the region.

Council members responded with public recognition of the coalition’s work and questions about scale and partnership. Councilman Jones described the regional membership as a potential way to share costs if Petersburg pursues a shelter, and Councilor Myers and Vice Mayor Hill thanked the presenters for data and for outreach to faith and community partners. Several council members emphasized the need for federal advocacy: Weathers urged officials and residents to follow pending federal policy changes that could affect homeless services funding.

The coalition also invited volunteers to help with the summer point‑in‑time count and said its membership is open to interested local organizations and residents. Presenters noted the coalition’s website was under construction and provided contact direction for those who want to volunteer or learn more.

Ending

Council members did not take formal action on the presentation. The coalition said it will continue coordinating with city staff and community partners, pilot a summer point‑in‑time count in Petersburg, and recruit volunteers for that count and for ongoing services.