Continuum of Care: 304 unsheltered people counted in January; nonprofits urge coordinated, funded response

The Virgin Islands Continuum of Care on March 28 told a legislative committee that the territory’s point‑in‑time survey on Jan. 24, 2025 identified 304 unsheltered people and that available shelter and supportive housing capacity is far smaller than need.

At a hearing on affordable housing and homelessness, Continuum of Care chair Dan de Rima said the January count found 304 unsheltered people across the territory — 185 on St. Thomas, 98 on St. Croix and 21 on St. John — and stressed those numbers do not capture people who are “couch surfing” or temporarily staying with friends.

Why it matters: The continuum reported a territory‑wide housing inventory of 92 beds dedicated to homelessness services — 16 emergency‑shelter beds, 53 transitional beds and 23 permanent supportive housing beds —…