Residents and service providers press Newport News council for action on homelessness; tiny-home proposal presented

Speakers during the public comment period on Oct. 28 urged the Newport News City Council to act on recommendations from the Virginia Peninsula Homeless Study (2025) and expand supports for people experiencing homelessness.

Rick (Richard) Hewitt told the council he has worked with people experiencing homelessness for years and outlined a proposal he said mirrors the study’s recommendations: "I desire to provide 100 or more permanent homes for the homeless in a community called Good Samaritan Community Village of Virginia," he said, describing the plan as a tiny-home community that would include a basic health clinic, life-skills center and community garden. Hewitt left a business plan with the clerk and asked the council and local churches to reduce bureaucratic barriers so the project could proceed.

Elizabeth Parker, identified as working with local outreach efforts, thanked the council and said her group recorded 812 unduplicated clients last year and anticipates "anywhere between 950 to 1,000 evictions," urging council investigation into eviction trends.

Council members expressed support for pursuing strategic solutions while signaling caution about unmanaged encampments. The mayor (presiding) said the city wants to take care of the underserved but will not allow "10 cities to pop up across the city," and Councilman Long offered to follow up directly with Hewitt after the meeting. Several council members encouraged continued partner engagement from churches and nonprofits and noted staff is reviewing next steps following the homeless study.

No formal council action was taken at the meeting beyond offers to follow up and coordination between staff and council members.