The City of Richmond’s Shelter Plan 

In Richmond, the City works to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with safe shelter and services all year round. A range of shelter options with different activation protocols makes it possible for the City and its parners to meet needs throughout extreme temperatures and emergency events. Explore the full shelter plan below:

Table of contents

• Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter
• CARITAS Surge Shelter
• Extreme Weather Warming Centers
• City Emergency Shelters
• Families With Children
• Daytime Warming Options
• 50-Bed Year Round Men’s Shelter
• Resources
• Energy Assistance Resources

Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter

Where is it located? 1900 Chamberlayne Parkway, Richmond VA, 23222 (Entrance via side alley)

When is it activated?  This shelter is open every night from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. November 15 through April 15. Those hours and dates may be extended when temperatures are at or below 40 degrees or when there is freezing rain or snow greater than 1 inch over a 24-hour period.  

Who does it serve? Single adult men and single adult women; not a family shelter. 
What resources does it provide? Heated indoor space, restrooms, seating, light snacks and beverages, dinner, ADA-accessible areas, hygiene kits, weekly health services van, mobile showers twice monthly, bed bug treatment, and onsite security.

CARITAS Surge Shelter

How is it accessed? By visiting the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter (1900 Chamberlayne Parkway).  

When is it activated? The Surge shelter is activated when the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter has reached capacity and when the temperature is below 40 degrees.  

Extreme Weather Warming Centers

When are they activated? During extraordinary weather like frigid temperatures or freezing wind chill.  

Where are they located? The Main Library (201 E. Franklin St.) functions as the designated daytime Warming Center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and the Linwood Robinson Senior Center (700 N. 26th Street) is the designated overnight Warming Center from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.

What resources do they provide? Warming Centers will provide a safe space for guests to warm up and access to restrooms. Overnight Warming Centers offer snacks and drinks.

City Emergency Shelters

When are they activated? The City Emergency Shelter is activated only during extraordinary circumstances like extreme weather, serious impacts to city infrastructure, and threats to shelter capacity.  

Key indicators that are considered regarding the decision to open a City Emergency Shelter and Extreme Weather Warming Centers include, but are not limited to:  

• Current weather forecast , including temperature, wind chill and precipitation amount
• If there is a current threat to city infrastructure, such as neighborhoods being without power and falling trees
• The current shelter capacity at the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter and the CARITAS Surge Shelter.

What happens when a City Emergency Shelter opens?  

Every activation of the City Emergency Shelter includes the following:  

• Staff from the City’s Departments of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and Social Services prepare, operate, maintain, and clean the City Emergency Shelter. City staff remain onsite 24-hours a day to ensure a safe, clean, and welcoming environment.
• The City Emergency Shelter offers cots for sleeping, restrooms, and three full meals (dinner, lunch and breakfast).
• If necessary, City staff source four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles ahead of inclement weather and deliver food and supplies throughout the shelter’s operation.
• Department of Social Services staff coordinate with GRTC to provide transportation from the Warming Center at the Main Library , the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter , and the CARITAS Surge Shelter to the City Emergency Shelter.
• The Richmond and Henrico Health District provides on-site nurses to conduct intake assessments.
• The Richmond Behavioral Health Authority’s Crisis Team is on call to provide support and come on site if any guests need additional support.
• Security is provided by the Richmond Sheriff’s Office .
• Richmond Animal Care and Control is available to board pets for guests and for City staff as necessary.
• Department of Neighborhood and Community services coordinates housing resources and connection to warm clothing and hygiene kits.

What happens when the City Emergency Shelter deactivates? 

GRTC provides transportation to the Warming Center. All guests are given information about shelter options and availability before leaving the City Emergency Shelter, along with a small selection of supplies and snacks.

Families With Children

Partner agencies can direct families to the Community Resource & Training Center (CRTC; 804-646-3111).

Location: 1900 Chamberlayne Parkway, Richmond, VA 23222

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Daytime Warming Options

All Richmond Public Library branches serve as warming spaces during their standard business hours.

Hours: https://rvalibrary.org/about/hours

Locations include: Main, Belmont, Broad Rock, East End, Ginter Park, Hull Street, North Avenue, West End, and Westover Hills.

50-Bed Year Round Men’s Shelter

1900 Chamberlayne, Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23222

This shelter serves men-the greatest population of unsheltered individuals in the region
Access to the shelter is facilitated through Homeward's Homeless Connection Line. Men in need may contact 804-972-0813 to seek shelter and access to services and resources. This is the primary access point for the region's network of homeless services and emergency homeless shelters.
The men's shelter is a year-round shelter.
 

Resources

Homeless Services Contact Sheet flyer
 

Energy Assistance Resources

The Virginia Department of Social Services facilitates the Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) which assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The EAP consists of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance and Weatherization Assistance.

To be eligible for Fuel, Crisis or Cooling Assistance, households must have a heating or cooling expense and gross monthly income may not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Applications for fuel, crisis, and cooling assistance are accepted at the local departments of social services and can be submitted in-person, by mail (USPS), or by fax.

Looking for coordinated access to services?

The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care Homeless Connection Line ( 804-972-0813 ) elps to connect individuals to shelter, outreach, and supportive resources.