Virginia Supportive Housing

Our Mission: End Homelessness

Virginia Supportive Housing (VSH) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity whose mission is to end homelessness by providing permanent housing and supportive services to the most vulnerable individuals in our society. 

VSH’s evidenced-based supportive housing model works: results from 2016 indicate that 98% of the individuals we serve do not return to homelessness. We accomplish our mission by:

1. Creating affordable, supportive housing opportunities by constructing new or rehabilitating old properties into apartments that VSH owns and operates and by partnering with private landlords to lease apartments to our clients.

2. Offering comprehensive supportive services to help clients achieve housing, health, and economic stability. 

3. Securing rental subsidies, either project-based or tenant-based, to formerly homeless residents.

Our Approach: Permanent Housing + Supportive Services

VSH follows the “Housing First” model, which calls for housing individuals first, then assessing and providing supportive services. This differs from other programs that view housing as “the reward” that individuals receive after achieving milestones such as employment and sobriety. Individuals experiencing homelessness—especially chronic homelessness—are set to fail without the stability and safety of housing first.

But providing adequate housing for the chronically homeless is just one part of the equation. The crucial component that ensures formerly homeless individuals maintain housing stability is the provision of supportive services. These services include connecting clients to primary health care; helping to secure income, insurance and benefits; case management and counseling; skills building; and substance abuse and mental/physical health recovery.

The People We Serve

VSH targets individuals with the longest histories of street homelessness and the highest levels of need, including those who are chronically homeless, medically vulnerable and/or severely mentally ill. After moving from streets and shelters into permanent supportive housing, chronically homeless individuals face new challenges to maintain their housing; improve their economic conditions; and to recover from mental illness, substance abuse, and other challenges.

VSH serves approximately 1,500 individuals in Virginia, offering affordable housing opportunities with supportive services in Hampton Roads, Central Virginia, and Charlottesville.

Our Story       

VSH was the first non-profit organization in Virginia to develop and provide permanent supportive housing for single adults experiencing homelessness. We have been leading the way ever since. VSH was started in 1988 by a small group of volunteers working to help homeless individuals in Richmond. This grassroots group purchased and renovated an old building and, in 1992, opened the 47-unit New Clay House. Over the years, the work that started in New Clay House has evolved to become the proven solution for ending homelessness throughout Virginia.

www.virginiasupportivehousing.org