Homelessness is on the rise in Richmond, according to nonprofit Homeward

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — According to the Richmond nonprofit Homeward, instances of homelessness in the Greater Richmond region has increased significantly since last summer.

Homeward — a nonprofit in Richmond dedicated to ending homelessness — recently released their Point-in-Time Count (PIT), featuring a snapshot of data from those experiencing homelessness in Richmond over the course of one night.

According to the PIT report , 585 people were experiencing homelessness in the Greater Richmond region on the night of July 24, 2024, demonstrating an increase from the 486 people who were experiencing homelessness in the summer of 2023.

Homelessness is defined by Homeward as “people staying in shelters, transitional housing, sexual and domestic violence shelters and individuals staying outdoors or in a place not meant for human habitation.”

According to the report, 318 people were found to be sheltered, while 267 were found to be unsheltered. The primary reasons people listed for becoming homeless included family breakdowns, unemployment, eviction or cost of housing.

Out of the last six years, the Greater Richmond region saw the highest homeless population in 2021, with 699 people experiencing homelessness.

For more information about Homeward and to learn how you can get involved, visit the organization’s website .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.