MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF

HOMELESSNESS
IN GREATER RICHMOND

GLOBAL AWARENESS FOR LOCAL IMPACT

JASETYN AE HATCHER
 LOCAL  | IMPACT

1  | Meeting the Challenges

2  | Displacement Worldwide

3  | Homelessness in the United States

4  | Contributors to Homelessness

5  | Homelessness in Richmond

6   | HomeAgain: Local Impact

7   | Endnotes

www.homeagainrichmond.org
MEETING THE
CHALLENGES

MEETING THE CHALLENGES

| 01
Homelessness is not just a
housing problem. Factors
set in place long before an
individual experiences a
financial crisis, a family
breakdown or a housing
crisis can determine the
likelihood of them falling
into homelessness.
Although rates of
homelessness in many
places across the USA are
declining, certain
demographics are at
higher risk than ever for
experiencing
homelessness. This story is
part of the American
narrative, but mirrors a
larger global conversation
about place and belonging.
A lack of targeted policies,
community dialogue and
conflict resolution are
causing more people
around the globe to be
forcibly displaced than
after WW11.
American homelessness is
in many ways a microcosm
of the larger global issues
affecting forced migration.
 Since the 1980’s global
displacement has ebbed
and flowed, but for the last
two decades it has
increased substantially on
a distressing upward trend.
HomeAgain was founded
by a group of Richmond,
VA residents concerned for
the underserved in their
city. Since 1980
HomeAgain has expanded
to include three unique
shelters, as well as
providing important
community housing
services. Collaboration and
targeted services are the
chosen method to begin to
create equity for all in the
Richmond region; however,
HomeAgain's story is part
of a much larger narrative.
MEETING THE CHALLENGES
| 01
DISPLACEMENT
WORLDWIDE

DISPLACEMENT WORLDWIDE
|02
Displacement (forced
Western countries are
migration) can occur via
often unaware of the
violent conflict, natural
vastness of its occurrence.
disasters or due to
Of the 65.8 million people
development projects.  A
currently experiencing
combination of economic,
displacement in the world,
social, political, and
85% of those with forced
environmental factors
migration status and 99%
accumulate over time to
of internally displaced
produce high levels of
persons are in the global
displacement.
south.

The majority of forced Worldwide, one in every 110 people is either

migration occurs in a South-
South basis, meaning a a refugee, an internally displaced person
displaced persons country of (IDP) or seeking asylum.
origin and country of refuge
will both be located in the
global south.

DISPLACEMENT WORLDWIDE
|02
Those experiencing
displacement face mental
as well as physical barriers
to thriving. Migration
episode stress, post-
migration environments
and trauma exposure may
increase negative mental
health outcomes. These
factors are compounded
by length of displacement,
continuing adversity and
older age.
Inside the national borders
of the USA, the term
‘displacement’ is used to
refer to those permanently
displaced due to a natural
disaster. But the
combination of systemic
and extrinsic factors that
contribute to displacement
in the global context are
often present in the lives of
those experiencing
homelessness.
DISPLACEMENT WORLDWIDE
|02
HOMELESSNESS
IN THE UNITED
STATES

HOMELESSNESS IN THE
UNITED STATES|03
Homelessness in the
United States is a
multifaceted issue. It is
caused both by the
interaction of structural
problems at the macro-
level (lack of affordable
housing, long term
unemployment, or
evictions) and micro-level
(debt, family breakdown,
trauma).  It is also heavily
influenced by systems-level
inequities such as
structural racism, ageism
and mental health
stigmatization in the
public sphere.

Because of this complex

interplay, homelessness
can affect anyone.
Veterans, single adults,
children, families, seniors,
survivors of domestic
violence, and those with
physical and mental
conditions can all be
exposed to the damaging
effects of homelessness for
short or elongated periods
of time.  

HOMELESSNESS IN THE
UNITED STATES|03
CONTRIBUTORS
TO
HOMELESSNESS

CONTRIBUTORS TO
HOMELESSNESS|04
 TRAUMA POVERTY
Trauma impacts people
experiencing homelessness According to
in varying ways. Research groundbreaking life-course
shows that people with research, 51 percent of
unstable housing are likely Americans will spend at
to have experienced some least a year below the
form of trauma, often in poverty line between the
childhood. The experience ages of 20 and 65, and two-
of homelessness itself is thirds of them will access a
traumatic, affecting mental means-tested public
and physical health. People benefit. 
can be traumatized by
inefficient processes that
leave them feeling
powerless. They can be a "Poverty in AMerica is not
victim or witness an attack
while experiencing invisible. we see it and we look
unsheltered homelessness.
The loss of a home, and away. Our denial runs deep. it is
social connections is
equally a traumatic event
the only way to explain a basic
EVICTIONS fact about the united states: in
80% of poor renting the world's largest economy,
families spend at least half
of their income on housing the majority of us will
costs, with one in four of
those families spending experience poverty."
over 70 percent of their
income just on rent and
utilities. AUTOMATING INEQUALITY|175
A growing number of
families are living one
misstep or emergency
away from eviction.
CONTRIBUTORS TO
HOMELESSNESS|04
 RACE
Roughly one in four black
Americans are in poverty
compared to roughly one
in ten white Americans.
Jim Crow Laws, The
National Housing Act of
1934, The Wagner Act, and
even the Social Security
Act were implemented
with immense exclusions
specific to black
Americans. These policies
influenced everything from
owning land to housing
and government backed
mortgages. In the 20th
century, redlining practices
and racially restrictive
covenants denied
homeownership and
leasing opportunities to
black people in certain
neighborhoods across
America. The Federal Aid
Highway Act of 1956
enabled the construction
of physical barriers that
destroyed thriving black
neighborhoods:
intentionally precluding
them from access to
economic stability.
When the Kerner Report
was published in 1968 it
derided practices such as
white flight, exclusionary
zoning, and outright
prejudice. These practices
are continuing to
contribute to homelessness
by creating segregated
communities and a lack of
housing opportunities.
AGING
Homelessness can age a
person prematurely and
lead to life expectancies
years lower than the
general population.
Homeless adults aged 50
years and older have rates
of chronic illnesses and
geriatric conditions similar
to or higher than those of
housed adults 15-20 years
older. Based on
demographic trends alone,
it is predicted that
homelessness among
people age 65 and older
will more than double by
2050.
CONTRIBUTORS TO
HOMELESSNESS|04
HOMELESSNESS
IN RICHMOND

HOMELESSNESS IN
RICHMOND|05
Richmond has the lowest
in VA according to the 2015
rate of homelessness of any
U.S. census, with 1 in 4
major metropolitan city in
Richmonders struggling to
Virginia, due in large part
provide for their families.
to the collaborative efforts
Richmond is also number
of the Greater Richmond
two in the country for
Continuum of Care. Lower
evictions, at around 17.38
rates allow service
households evicted every
providers to apply targeted
day.
initiatives for their
populations. 81% of
HomeAgain clients call
Richmond home and the
contributing factors of
trauma, race-based
inequity, aging, evictions
and poverty appear
distinctly.

EVICTION MAP:RVA EVICTION LAB

Over 25% of HomeAgain’s
770 clients in FY 2017-2018
had mental health
issues/severe mental health
illnesses. On average,
clients suffering from
severe mental illness
require specialized
interventions, specific
community resources, and
a large amount of time.  white school districts face
The vast majority of clients
(613 of 770) were under the
federal poverty line.
Richmond has the second-
highest poverty level
Researchers with the RVA
Eviction Lab found that the
highest predictor of
eviction in Richmond was
not poverty, but living in a
primarily African American
neighborhood. Research
also found that majority
significantly lower rates of
eviction than those with
African American or Latino
majorities.
HOMELESSNESS IN
RICHMOND|05

OPPORTUNITY MAP: HOMEOFVA.ORG
According to the 2018 U.S.
census, only 48.8% of
Richmond is African
American, but African
Americans make up 82% of
HomeAgain's clients.
Richmond has a long and
sordid history with race-
based displacement that
has assured minority
Richmonders (specifically
African Americans) have
less access to economic
opportunities. 
This can clearly be seen in
the destruction of historic
black neighborhoods,
strategic divestment, and
practices such as redlining,
blockbusting, white flight
and restrictive covenants.
Forty-two percent (227) of
adult HomeAgain clients
served during FY 2017- 2018
programs were aged 50
years or older. Although
rates of homelessness
remain consistent citywide,
senior homelessness is on
the rise. The number of
people over the age of 55
seeking emergency shelter
or transitional housing has
increased by more than 30
percent in the past 3 years.
HOMELESSNESS IN
RICHMOND|05
HOMEAGAIN:
LOCAL IMPACT

HOMEAGAIN:
LOCAL IMPACT|06
HomeAgain’s mission is to
help individuals and
families experiencing
homelessness secure and
maintain a home, again.
This mission goes beyond
emergency shelter to
supportive community
services and case
management. These
measures help ensure
drastic life changes caused
by a housing crisis are
processed wholistically.
Many barriers to ending
homelessness are systemic
and intentional. To combat
this, HomeAgain chooses
to be equally intentional in
its vision. To address the
disparities and inequities at
the systems level,
HomeAgain partners with
advocacy agencies like
HOME (Housing
Opportunities Made Equal)
and CARE (Campaign to
Reduce Evictions) to
support impactful policy
changes.
HomeAgain partners with
various service providers in
the city through the East
End Age Wave Coalition to
improve housing and
health education for
seniors. HomeAgain aims
to expand future services
targeted to meet the
specific needs of this
demographic. With a
quarter of clients in need of
innovative mental health
services, the agency also
seeks to expand in ways
that will meet this need.
To this end, HomeAgain
looks towards the future of
a new facility that can both
produce revenue and
enhance existing services.
The facility will also provide
a collaborative space to
enhance community
awareness specifically
around the intersection of
race, aging, mental health
and homelessness. As a
result, HomeAgain will
increase community
engagement and provide
more effective services. By
focusing on equity in both
the agency's vision and in
the built environment,
HomeAgain strives to
ensure more Richmonders
feel at home, again.
HOMEAGAIN:
LOCAL IMPACT|06
ENDNOTES

ENDNOTES|07
 01 Meeting the Challenges

[1] One important distinction is the impact of climate change.

According to the Global Climate Risk Index, less developed countries
are generally more affected than industrialized countries for a variety
of reasons.For the purpose of this paper we will focus on systemic and
structural elements impacting American homelessness. For more
information on the Global Climate Risk Index see:
https://germanwatch.org/en/cri

[2] Many countries use different definitions and/or have different

research methodologies. But a global infrastructure that allows
stakeholders to communicate effectively on the nature, causes, and
impacts of homelessness would be invaluable. See:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197397515300023

02 Displacement Worldwide

[3] Definitions of IDP, Refugee or Migrants. Online:

https://www.concernusa.org/story/refugee-migrant-idp-whats-the-
difference/

[4] Johnathan Clayton, “Worldwide Displacement Hits All-Time High As

War and Persecution Increase,” June 18, 2015. Online:
http://www.unhcr.org/558193896.html changes.

[5] JA RIchards, "Uprooted by Climate Change", Oxfam. Online:

https://www-cdn.oxfam.org/s3fs-public/file_attachments/bp-uprooted-
climate-change-displacement-021117-en.pdf

[6] 25.4 millions refugees, 40.0 million internally displaced people and
3.1 million asylum-seekers.
Online: https://www.unhcr.org/globaltrends2017/

[7] Forced Migration Data, Migration Data Portal. Online:

https://migrationdataportal.org/themes/forced-migration-or-
displacement

ENDNOTES|07
 02 Displacement Worldwide

[8] Siriwardhana et al. Conflict and Health 2014, 8:13 Online:

http://www.conflictandhealth.com/content/8/1/13

[9] See http://www.internal-displacement.org/countries/united-states

[10]FEANTSA Position Paper 2017, "Recognizing the Link Between

Trauma and Homelessness." Online:
https://www.feantsa.org/download/feantsa_traumaandhomelessness03
073471219052946810738.pdf

03 Homelessness in the United States

[11] Definitions of homelessness. Online:

https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/who-
experiences-homelessness/

[12] See: http://thedataface.com/2018/01/public-health/american-

homelessness

04 Contributors to Homelessness

[13]FEANTSA Position Paper 2017, "Recognizing the Link Between

Trauma and Homelessness." Online:
https://www.feantsa.org/download/feantsa_traumaandhomelessness03
073471219052946810738.pdf

[14] Across the USA 80% of tenants earning under $20,000 will pay
more than 50% of their income on shelter. Online:
https://shelterforce.org/2019/02/19/whose-affordable-housing-crisis/

[15] Statistics on evictions found online: https://evictionlab.org/

[16] See Matthew Desmond- Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the

American City (Penguin Random House, 2017)

[17] For statistics on poverty see: Eubanks, Virginia. Automating

Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish The Poor.
(New York: St. Martins Press, 2017)

ENDNOTES|07
 04 Contributors to Homelessness

[18] Online: https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/racial-segregation-

stubborn-feature-our-nations-history-it-doesnt-have-be-our-future

[19] Lifetime disparities:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/10/10/older-black-
people-have-been-homeless-some-point-their-life-study-finds/?
noredirect=on&utm_term=.e58f97cc1772

[20] See: https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/07/white-

flight-alive-and-well/399980/

[21] Statistics on Aging and Homelessness, Online:

https://www.justiceinaging.org/wp-
content/uploads/2016/04/Homelessness-Older-Adults.pdf

05 Homelessness in Richmond

[22] See Homeward: http://www.homewardva.org/news/blog/177-data-

leads-the-way

[23] Richmond poverty, Online:

https://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/richmond-s-poverty-rate-is-
second-highest-in-virginia/article_379d6968-ea24-5239-8f7b-
5d4cc3e66394.html

[24] Virginia eviction rates: https://www.wvtf.org/post/why-virginia-

renters-face-higher-rates-eviction

[25] Richmond eviction statistics, See RVA Eviction Lab:

https://cura.vcu.edu/media/cura/pdfs/cura-
documents/EvictionandEducationalInstabilityinRichmond.pdf

[26] See HOME research on racial inequities in Richmond. 'Mapping

Inequality', Online:
https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/#loc=4/36.71/-96.93&opac
ity=0.8

[27] Aging and homelessness in Richmond, online:

https://ideastations.org/radio/news/report-shows-increase-homeless-
seniors-richmond

ENDNOTES|07