We believe homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring.

The Planning Council has the knowledge and experience to help homeless service providers maximize funding from federal, state and local governments and foundations to best meet the needs of the most vulnerable households and individuals.

What We Offer

The Planning Council brings together partners across jurisdictional boundaries to offer homeless solutions regionally.

  • Manages client-level database (HMIS) for 50 agencies
  • Facilitates annual federal and state funding of $12 million for over 45 homeless programs
  • Coordinates local and regional planning strategies for agencies serving those experiencing homelessness

Continuum of Care Coordination

As part of the region’s Continuum of Care (CoC), The Planning Council leads local and regional homeless initiatives to promote a systematic approach for preventing and ending homelessness. Focusing on creative solutions, data-driven decision making and collective impact, our Continuum of Care Team works alongside provider agencies, governmental leadership, as well as state and national advocacy groups to implement and roll out best practice programs to prevent and end homelessness.  

To secure financial resources from on an annual basis to support homeless housing and service programs, The Planning Council develops and submits the annual CoC applications to both state and federal funders that total over $12 million.

Are you a homeless solutions provider interested in becoming part of the COC?
Visit one of our local Continuum of Care websites:

For more information regarding Continuum of Care Coordination, contact Amanda Brandenburg at: abrandenburg@theplanningcouncil.org

HMIS Administration and Training

Serving all of Greater Hampton Roads and Lynchburg, the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Administrators train end users, analyze and report data generated by homeless assistance providers, and encourage the use of data to coordinate service provision, manage operations, and better serve clients. The Hampton Roads HMIS is a key partner in the State Data Integration Project, developed by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

For a list of agencies participating in the Hampton Roads HMIS, please click here.

Hampton Roads HMIS Policies and Procedures

Hampton Roads HMIS Data Quality Plan

Hampton Roads HMIS ROI (updated April 2018)

For more information on HMIS and related data, contact Jordan Schaller at: jschaller@theplanningcouncil.org

Regional Task Force

The Regional Task Force chairs regional outreach initiatives that focus on housing vulnerable homeless populations such as those who are medically vulnerable, veterans, and chronically homeless individuals. The Task Force identifies local problems, researches best practices from around the country, and builds support needed to implement regional solutions. Examples of Task Force successes include:

  • Addressing the need for affordable housing with support services for those who experience homelessness and have mental or physical disabilities.  The Task Force began its partnership with Virginia Supportive Housing in 2006 to develop the nation’s first regionally funded Permanent Supportive Housing program, and has since facilitated the development of 320 affordable apartment units in four cities across South Hampton Roads.
  • Identified substance abuse among those experiencing homelessness as a major barrier to stable housing.   Partnered with The Healing Place of Wake County to replicate this best practice in Hampton Roads. To date, this has not come to fruition but the need is great and the focus remains the same.
  • Partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs and local Public Housing Authorities to drastically increase the number of housing vouchers for the region’s homeless veterans as well as households experiencing homelessness.
  • Hosted six regional conferences for over 300 participants since 2008 with national experts highlighting best practices to prevent and end homelessness.

For more information about the Task Force, contact Julie Dixon at: jadixon@theplanningcouncil.org

Need Data?

Request HMIS Report

Click Here

Sample Reports

Click Here

Investment in Priorities

Click Here
Are you experiencing a housing crisis?

HOUSING CRISIS HOTLINE

(757) 587-4202

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The Housing Crisis Hotline is the starting point for anyone who is experiencing a housing crisis throughout Greater Hampton Roads and in need of shelter, case management, and related services.

Not sure if you are experiencing a housing crisis? Ask yourself these two questions:

  • Are you living on the street or in an emergency shelter?
  • Have you received an eviction notice from your landlord?

If you answer “yes” to either of these questions, please call the Housing Crisis Hotline.  Hotline staff will work to connect you to available services with local providers. An intake specialist will interview you to determine which referral makes the most sense, based on your situation and what’s available in the community.  The Hotline does not provide any direct financial assistance.

For other human service needs, please dial 2-1-1 or visit: resources757.org for up-to-date information and community resources.