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Council presses DHS on rising family-shelter denials at Virginia Williams
Summary
Council members questioned DHS about a sharp rise in shelter denials at Virginia Williams; DHS said an increase in prevention/diversion and verification of household composition explains much of the change and committed to clarifying questionnaire data.
Chair Matt Fruman asked why denials at Virginia Williams climbed from roughly 8% of families in FY24 to 30% in FY25 and 55% in FY26 to date. Fruman said the committee’s review shows an increasing share of denials are coded as families having "access to safe housing," and asked DHS to reconcile figures in the agency's questionnaire responses (question 36 and 40).
Director Rachel Pierre told the committee the increase largely reflects more rapid use of prevention and diversion options: "we are not denying homeless services, we are denying shelter because as much as possible our goal is to prevent a shelter stay." She also explained household-composition verifications (e.g., vouchers or other benefits showing different households) can justify family denials and promised to supply clearer cross-tabs and clarifications on the questionnaire.
