Each year there are over 600 men, women and children homeless in the Lynchburg community.
Many of these persons are homeless due to job loss, domestic violence, untreated medical or mental health issues, poverty, or lack of family support. People experiencing homelessness are vulnerable to increased incidents of crime, effects of trauma, and isolation from much-needed services and supports. Homeless children are particularly vulnerable. The loss of housing for a child is often accompanied by developmental, emotional, and cognitive delays, disruption in school attendance and exposure to crime, victimization, and poor health.
Total SERVED in 2023
538
Homeless Children
165
homeless Youth
41
homeless Veterans
9
Housing is the first step in building stronger families and communities.
We work to end homelessness by connecting indivdiuals and families with stable, affordable housing and providing the skills and supports that lead to self-sufficiency. Our Housing First approach provides the foundation for individuals to rebuild their lives, access needed services, obtain employment and integrate productively into the community.
We believe that housing is a basic human right and that all people can be successful in housing with the appropriate combination of supports. Our staff is trained to provide interventions aimed at resolving housing barriers and preventing families from returning to homelessness.
Our work is guided by these 4 principles:
1.
Housing
Housing is offered without preconditions
2.
Empowerment
Clients are considered experts on their own lives and their choices are honored
3.
Support
Individualized wrap-around services are tailored to each client’s needs and strengths
4.
Community
Connecting with neighbors and social supports promotes stability
Our programs provide solutions to homelessness.
Community
First
Rehouses homeless families and youth to return them to safe and affordable housing.
Magnolia Street
Supportive Housing
Provides housing and supportive services to chronically homeless women.
Homeless System Coordination
Leads the community’s homeless response efforts to ensure that homelessness is rare, brief and nonrecurring in the Lynchburg area.
Housing first lynchburg
Provides supportive services to chronically homeless individuals as they transition to stable housing in the community.
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Featured Story
Alethea's Story
Alethea and her five children became homeless after a devastating house fire destroyed their home this past summer. With no possessions, they spent months staying with friends and family until they ran out of options and went to stay in a local shelter. Alethea had employment when entering shelter, but due to the shelter’s rules regarding unattended minors, Alethea was not able to continue working her 2nd shift job. Within 2 weeks of entering the shelter, Alethea completed an intake for Miriam's House's services and voiced that their only Christmas wish was to be in their own home for the holidays. This wish was fulfilled - within 24 hours the family was signing a lease and moving into their very own home. Not only was this family excited to spend the holidays together and under their own roof, they also look forward to the opportunity to start a new chapter and leave homelessness behind them! Alethea is back to work full-time and her oldest child is now working at McDonald’s and contributing to the household expenses.
Know someone who needs help?
If you or someone you know is facing a housing crisis please contact our community’s homeless hotline, Coordinated Homeless Intake and Access (CHIA), for assistance.
Call 434.427.CHIA
