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Hampton Roads fights homelessness with new housing community

Posted at 9:11 PM, Mar 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-10 15:08:50-05

Virginia Beach, Va. – The Virginia Supportive Housing provided new homes with the opening of their newest property, Crescent Square.

The 80-unit property will house 80 people, 42 of whom were homeless. Many have an income 50 percent or less than the area’s median income.

Crescent Square was developed and managed by Virginia Supportive Housing, a non-profit organization. The organization is Virginia’s leading supportive housing agency and serves over 1,500 clients in Richmond, Hampton Roads and Charlottesville.  VSH administers the largest Supportive Services for Veteran Families program in Virginia, helping end veteran homelessness.

The $12 million project located at 1333 Diamond Springs Road is the VSH’s fifth development in South Hampton Roads and its second in Virginia Beach. Crescent Square is the VSH’s first mixed-income community in Hampton Roads.

“Crescent Square represents a tremendous collaboration with public and private partners who are vested in meeting the region’s demand for supportive and affordable housing,” said Allison Bogdanovic, executive director of VSH. “Local officials recognize that supportive housing is a proven and cost-effective model that works, as evidenced by the fact that 95% of our clients do not return to homelessness.”

VSH case managers help secure income, health insurance and healthcare services to help clients re-establish their independence. The organization has 50 prospective residents approved and ready to move into their new homes.

All studio apartments will have basic furnishings, a full kitchen and a full bathroom.

Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms and Norfolk Mayor Fraim cut the ribbon for the buildings on March 8.