Phase 2 of the joint COVID-19 impact study with VHA is complete. Here are 5 things we learned.
The pandemic changed our world in unprecedented ways. Affordable housing and homelessness were no exception. To help understand how COVID-19 impacted nonprofit providers in the Richmond region, we teamed up with the Virginia Housing Alliance to interview and survey organization leaders several times over the past year. Here’s what they told us.
- Addressing the needs of persons experiencing homelessness remains the most complex and profound impact of the pandemic.
- Unprecedented levels of temporary support helped most providers avoid layoffs, but staff still need support.
- Although concern about staff reductions and meeting immediate needs has waned, uncertainty over future funding remains high.
- Rental housing development flourishes, though cost increases and provision of services are challenging.
- Homeownership programs face cost increases and other pandemic-induced barriers to homebuyer readiness.
Philanthropic institutions—who supported this research—have the opportunity to strengthen these providers so they can fully meet the necessary challenges ahead. In the report, we’ve offered solutions that address both organizational and programmatic support.