Danville approves $10,000 budget amendment to expand winter hotel vouchers for people experiencing homelessness
Summary
After a request from the Homeless Coalition, the Danville Board of Commissioners directed staff to find a $10,000 budget amendment to expand weather‑activated hotel vouchers; staff said the program is reimbursement‑based and will be funded from existing sources including opioid settlement proceeds.
The Danville Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 12 to direct staff to locate a $10,000 budget amendment to fund winter hotel vouchers for people experiencing homelessness.
Bryce Gibson, representing the Homeless Coalition and the health department, told commissioners the program is weather‑activated when temperatures hit 32°F and that the department has been operating hotel vouchers as a temporary shelter option. Gibson said an intake beginning Dec. 1 identified 36 unsheltered individuals in Danville, most of whom are city residents, and that district‑level counts show larger totals (Danville Independent reported 77; Bull County reported 58).
Gibson said the health department has spent about $70,000 over the past two years on weather‑activated hotel assistance and that a combination of grant funds and county support has left an $8,800 gap for the current season. After discussion about available funding sources, including anticipated opioid settlement revenue, commissioners amended the staff recommendation and approved directing staff to find $10,000 to cover hotel voucher costs for 2026. Commissioners and staff noted the program is reimbursement‑based: the vouchers are issued and then submitted with receipts for municipal reimbursement.
Mayor James JH Adkins and staff commended the coalition for its outreach and said the allocation is intended as a short‑term measure while the city and partners work on longer‑term solutions. Gibson called the funding “a band aid” but said it is necessary while the community develops broader responses.
The motion passed with an affirmative vote of the commission. Staff said they will return with the budget amendment paperwork and clarify the reimbursement process.
Next steps: staff will identify the internal budget line for the amendment and coordinate reimbursement procedures with the homeless coalition and county partners.
