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Continuum of Care and nonprofits warn of rising unsheltered population and funding uncertainty
Summary
Continuum of Care and provider testimony told senators the territory’s point‑in‑time and inventory counts show rising unsheltered homelessness and bed losses from storm/fire; presenters urged CES implementation, sustained HUD compliance, and more predictable funding to preserve supportive housing and case management.
Dan de Rima, executive director of the Virgin Islands Continuum of Care (CoC), told the committee the territory’s HUD point‑in‑time and housing inventory counts show increased unsheltered visibility and insufficient beds to meet need. “The most recent point in time count conducted on 01/24/2025 identified 304 … individuals across The Virgin Islands,” he said, noting the point‑in‑time is a single‑night snapshot that likely understates overall instability.
De Rima and nonprofit witnesses including Sandra Thomas Mason (Catholic Charities) and representatives of Meeting The Needs of Our Community (MTOC) described limited shelter capacity, losses after a shelter fire and hurricane impacts, and the end of some federal emergency voucher supports. Mason said Catholic Charities had to cut staff from 22 to 14 because of funding uncertainty, adding “We are stretched thin.”
Witnesses and agency staff urged faster implementation of the coordinated entry system (CES) to meet HUD compliance and unlock broader funding eligibility, more permanent supportive and transitional housing for justice‑involved individuals, and stronger interagency data sharing. Senators pressed HFA and DHS officials about specific funding balances (e.g., a homeowners assistance balance cited as about $4.2M remaining) and timeframes to obligate funds.
Why it matters: Providers warned that federal policy changes and funding volatility could reduce supports for chronically homeless and vulnerable households; committee members pressed for clearer spend plans and earlier release of appropriations to nonprofits.
