Charlottesville City Council will vote Monday night on whether to donate unallocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to The Salvation Army for the expansion of its homeless shelter operations.
The vote will come after a contentious Fifeville Neighborhood Association meeting Thursday night during which a couple dozen neighborhood residents shared their concerns on the plan with city and Salvation Army leaders. Most acknowledged that homelessness is a problem in the community, and said they want to help, but they are concerned about what a shelter expansion could mean for the safety of their neighborhood.
In the fall, City Manager Sam Sanders proposed that the Council give $5.25 million to the Salvation Army — a combination of ARPA funds and budget surplus — for two shelter projects. The Salvation Army is working on doubling the capacity at its current Center of Hope facility on Ridge Street, and has proposed converting its thrift store on Cherry Avenue into a permanent, overnight low-barrier shelter, something the city does not currently have.
A city staff report on the matter recommends that the Council allocate $3 million in unused ARPA funds for the expansion of the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope on Ridge Street.
If the Council votes yes, the City’s contribution would cover a portion of the Center of Hope project, which is expected to cost $28 million. The Salvation Army is in the process of fundraising the rest, looking mainly to philanthropic organizations.
The staff report notes that the Salvation Army would use the City’s contribution to “leverage additional funds.”
Previously, Sanders had proposed allocating $250,000 in unused ARPA funds for the Cherry Avenue shelter project. It is unclear from the agenda and staff report whether or not that amount is included in the $3 million.
The City must allocate any unused ARPA funding by Dec. 31. After that, any unused funds must be returned to the federal government.
Take Action
Charlottesville City Council meets Monday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. in the City Council chambers in City Hall, located at 605 East Main Street. The meeting will also be streamed virtually (register to watch). The City Council will vote on distributing $3 million in American Rescue Fund Act money to The Salvation Army to expand and build a new shelter during the business session of the meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. View the agenda here. Anyone who wishes to speak at the meeting must register by 9 a.m. Monday, the morning of the Council meeting. There are a few ways to register: online; by emailing the Clerk of Council office; or by calling the Clerk of Council office at 434-970-3113.
While we can’t cover every story that’s important to you, we do our best to be responsive to your needs. We use tips from readers to choose which stories to cover, to incorporate information into broader reports or to help us decide how to grow Charlottesville Tomorrow. Here’s where you can tell us what you think we should be covering.
More about homeless shelters in the Charlottesville area
City Manager: There’s still no plan for Belmont property originally eyed for homeless shelter
“The city retains control of this site for a future redevelopment project. And we’re going to wait to figure out what is the right project,” said City Manager Sam Sanders.
A seasonal shelter in Charlottesville is serving more people than ever — which presents challenges now that it’s closed
The City is working on a longer term plan, but shelter staff say they see more immediate need than ever.
Charlottesville City Council votes 5-0 to purchase Belmont properties for possible shelter, housing project
City Manager Sam Sanders said next steps will include a study on community needs, including shelter beds and homeless services, and other opportunities for the space.
Charlottesville had — and lost — a shelter that social workers say could have helped hundreds of unhoused people off the streets
Had the shelter continued, its homeless service workers are convinced they could move hundreds more people off the streets, including many of those now camped downtown.
Charlottesville’s homeless shelter staff say demand for beds this winter is double what they can accommodate
It’s difficult to know how many people are experiencing homelessness at any given time, but available data and shelter staff experience show it is increasing dramatically.
When this Charlottesville shelter closes next year, its 100 elderly and seriously ill guests might have nowhere to go
“If it weren’t for Premier Circle, I’d be homeless,” said Sunshades, a shelter guest.
More local News
Charlottesville parents, teachers and activists ask for revote on school resource officers
The School Board has moved ahead with an agreement with the Charlottesville Police Department, but said it will devote an April work session to ‘further discussion’ of the matter.
After two years without independent counsel, Charlottesville’s police oversight board has an attorney to represent its interests to the city
New counsel will review suggested ordinance changes that will shape the Board’s role before a planned meeting with City Council.
Charlottesville city officials promise not to displace unhoused community members during an encampment cleanup effort this week
Citing public health, safety and environmental concerns, city staff and a local landscaping company will clean up trash and install portable toilets and sharps disposal containers at the site Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25.
In Orange and Louisa, residents and public officials voice concerns over proposed Valley Link transmission line
Residents are speaking out about potential negative impacts on homes and farmland, and many local governments are finding their influence is limited, as the fate of the project rests with state regulators.
The Prolyfyck crew is growing — in the next 20 years, its leader wants to show up for the neighborhoods where they run
James “Littlez” Dowell co-founded Prolyfyck Run Creww as a way to bring communities together through fitness. But now it’s so much more.
