Sharon Holland, executive director of Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk (CAPS), told the council the nonprofit is asking for increased ongoing funding to meet a growing gap in services for families with children experiencing homelessness. CAPS plans a rotating night shelter that will run Dec. 31–March 11 with hopes to extend into April 2026, and Holland said CAPS served about 172 households representing roughly 600 people in the most recent year.

Thaler McCormick, CEO of 4Kids, described the scale and persistence of family homelessness in Suffolk: the Birdsong Center serves roughly 93 families and almost 200 children on a typical day, and children in families experiencing homelessness face chronic absenteeism McCormick put at about 55 percent. McCormick said 4Kids has secured nearly $500,000 in rapid rehousing assistance to pay first month’s rent, security deposits and other housing costs, and reported an eviction-prevention pilot prevented 89 evictions at roughly $2,000 per family.

Ashley Green, executive director of the Western Tidewater Free Clinic, said the clinic saw record patient volumes in 2024 and is budgeting for reduced Medicaid reimbursement and growing numbers of uninsured patients in 2026. Green said the clinic will support health care delivery at the city’s new shelter and remains ready to provide services for eligible residents.

Suffolk Social Services assistant directors Toya Taylor and Danielle Williams presented program trends: Medicaid enrollees in Suffolk rose from 14,897 in 2017 to 28,385 by the end of fiscal year 2025; TANF participation is about 1,028 families; and demand for SNAP and workforce-development services has climbed. Williams and Taylor highlighted rising child protective services caseloads and foster-care entries, and noted staffing has not kept pace with service demand.

Deputy City Manager Aziz Felder gave a detailed status report on the Western Tidewater Shelter project at 2361 Bridal Boulevard. The city acquired the former Regal Inn in January 2024 with a HUD grant of about $1.4 million and a subsequent $500,000 allocation from the governor’s budget. Renovations since September 2024 will create 17 double-occupancy rooms and one triple-occupancy room (capacity stated as 37 guests), with accessible first-floor rooms and upgraded site features. Felder said furniture installation and final work are underway and the project is prepared to open the week of Jan. 12, 2026; a partners-only open house was scheduled in advance of opening.

Council members praised the collaborative effort among nonprofits, city staff and regional partners but asked for clear descriptions of long-term operations and funding responsibilities. Multiple speakers and presenters emphasized that the new shelter addresses single-adult capacity but does not fully serve families with children, which nonprofits asked council to consider when discussing funding and complementary programs. The city did not take an immediate funding vote at the meeting; presenters requested increased ongoing support and noted gaps such as loss of hotel-stay programs for families this winter.

The city’s next procedural step on shelter funding and operations remains a matter for council discussion and the city manager’s office; Felder said staff and partners will continue preparations to open the shelter and stand ready to answer follow-up questions.