Friends,
The winter months can be challenging for many families and individuals across the Commonwealth: days become shorter, nights longer, and some in our community need additional resources, especially now as we still face the grim realities of the pandemic.
This week, as I share a couple of updates about my work with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) and conversations with the Virginia Farm Bureau, I’ll also highlight some of the resources and organizations across the state that are providing aid to the unhoused members of our community.
Resources and organizations aiding homeless Virginians
As temperatures drop, many families are pulling out sweaters, heavy coats, and warm scarves. Still others, many of whom are housing insecure for the first time, are working hard under challenging circumstances to make rent and mortgage payments.
Virginia’s statewide moratorium, enacted through the budget during Special Session, remains in effect through December 31. The Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program assists both tenants and landlords and is still receiving applications.
Additional organizations, resources, and hotlines are also available to help mitigate the difficulties faced by unhoused Virginians, most especially during these winter months. While we have many organizations and faith communities working in this area of need, I highlight just a few here today:
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HomewardVA.org has an initiative to help connect aid agencies with those who are sleeping outdoors. If you’re concerned about someone sleeping on the streets or in other public places, you can fill out the form here to let regional outreach teams know where that person is located. They will attempt to make contact with the individual in a careful and thoughtful way in order to provide assistance.
HomewardVA.org also provides a list of hotlines for support and resources. I summarize them here for quick reference:
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Richmond Area Homeless Crisis Line (804) 972-0813: The Homeless Crisis Line facilitates access to resources and shelter alternatives for those who are three days or fewer away from losing their housing. It is also available for those already experiencing homelessness.
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Richmond Area Housing Support Line (804) 422-5061: This resource helps to provide access to essential housing services. Individuals in need can fill out an online form for assistance. Additionally, the support line can help with financial assistance, emergency assistance, foreclosure prevention, and other resources.
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Veterans Affairs Hotline (804) 675-5000 ext. 2041: Tragically, many of our veterans continue to experience loss of home. This VA line assists veterans in the Greater Richmond Area.
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Virginia Affordable Housing Hotline (804) 782-1986: Virginia Affordable Housing offers affordable housing opportunities for Virginians.
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Senior Connections (804) 343-3000: Senior Connections focuses on assisting seniors maintain quality of life and independence as they age, emphasizing especially the needs of disadvantaged elderly folks who may be socially isolated, or at risk physically or economically.
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Hands on RVA works to connect members of the greater Richmond area with volunteer opportunities. If you or someone you know is looking to aid unhoused members of our community, you can find volunteer opportunities here.
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If you would like to donate to an organization fighting working to aid unhoused community members, RVA Strong has highlighted some non-profits doing great work and you can find a list of them here.
Additionally, individuals and families looking for affordable housing resources can find information through the Virginia Housing Development Authority.
Work with the Citizens' Climate Lobby
On Monday, I joined two different teams of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) to speak with representatives from the offices of Senator Mark Warner and Senator Tim Kaine about carbon emissions and the need for carbon pricing in our efforts to combat climate change. We are already moving forward in the Commonwealth to address these concerns. During the General Assembly 2020, we passed legislation to make the state a full participant in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multistate carbon cap-and-trade program. Further, through the Clean Economy Act, Virginia has established the goal to develop a carbon-free economy by 2045. While individual states and regional compacts can help to address many of the growing challenges of the climate crisis, we still need action, resources, and support from the federal level. The CCL teams spoke with the offices of our two Senators to address these issues.
Conversations with the Virginia Farm Bureau
According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), agriculture remains Virginia’s largest private industry with an economic impact of $70 billion. Our agriculture economy also supports more than 334,000 jobs in the Commonwealth. On Monday, I had the privilege of joining members of the Virginia Farm Bureau to listen to their legislative concerns which focused on issues of necessary supports for our small family-owned farms, assistance for addressing the environmental challenges facing farmers, the need to continue to nurture the next generation of farmers, and a host of other priorities for farming and agriculture in Virginia. I grew up in a small farming community in Southeast Georgia, and the insights shared by our members in the VA Farm Bureau resonate with the experiences of my classmates and friends whose farms offered me wonderful memories of childhood.
As always, if you need assistance, or if you want to schedule a Zoom or phone call with our team, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. Email is the best way to contact us. We can be reached at [email protected].
-- Ghazala Hashmi
