Metro Richmond homelessness total grows by nearly 100, according to annual count

Data from Homeward’s recent point in time homelessness count shows nearly 100 more people were experiencing homelessness this summer than last year.

The July count found 585 people experiencing homelessness in the area, up from 486 last year. According to the report, 267 of those people were living on the streets and in cars, while 318 were in shelters. Homeward works to end homelessness in the region.

The report also found that the median length of time someone has been experiencing homelessness is 2.4 years, with the most common reasons for homelessness being a family breakdown (30%), unemployment (21%), eviction (13%) or cost of housing (11%).

Most (467) were single adults, but 126 were people in families and 77 were children in families, while 67 were veterans. Nearly two-thirds (62%) were Black, while 26% were white.​

The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care and Homeward, which manages PIT counts as the planning agency for the GRCoC, are calling for an expansion of housing and services for those experiencing homelessness.

“Although our region has made strides and shelters continue to support hundreds of people daily, homelessness remains a persistent challenge,” said Kelly King Horne, executive director of Homeward. “We can’t allow this to become a new normal for our region. The findings from the Summer 2024 PIT count should be a call to action to invest in proven homeless services programs, support efforts to reduce poverty, and create more housing that everyone can afford.”

According to the report, older people are also at a higher risk of becoming homeless with 43.9% of adults counted during the July PIT count being 55 or older.

Homeward calls for expanding the coalition to solve homelessness and investing additional resources targeted to prevent homelessness from happening.