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Community of One:  All In

Community of One: All In

The survey is closed for comments, however, the educational materials remain available. Survey results and the presentation to City Council are available in the documents section. In 2017, the City adopted the Community of One strategic plan to address homelessness in Virginia Beach. Community of One represents a shared vision to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring. The plan outlines a path toward a future where everyone in Virginia Beach will be able to live in safe, decent and affordable housing. Housing and Neighborhood Preservation has a draft update to this plan called Community of One: All In and sought input from members of the public who are interested in the issue of homelessness in Virginia Beach. The public input portion of the project is now closed. 

Phases

Phases overview

Survey Responses

May 28, 2024 - May 29, 2024

Please answer the following question: [#248117]

No answer

51.1% (141 choices)

Yes

48.6% (134 choices)

No

0.4% (1 choice)

The number of homeless persons in Virginia Beach is always changing. [#249181]

No answer

55.1% (152 choices)

True

44.6% (123 choices)

False

0.4% (1 choice)

People are free to be in public spaces regardless of their housing status. [#249197]

No answer

54% (149 choices)

True

39.5% (109 choices)

False

6.5% (18 choices)

Virginia Beach has about the same rate of homelessness as San Diego, California. [#249199]

No answer

55.8% (154 choices)

False

40.6% (112 choices)

True

3.6% (10 choices)

The average length of stay in a shelter for families in Virginia Beach is 120 days. [#249214]

No answer

60.1% (166 choices)

True

26.1% (72 choices)

False

13.8% (38 choices)

From September 2018 through September 2023, how many people were triaged and assessed for homeless services through the Housing Resource Center on a walk-in basis? [#248183]

No answer

66.3% (183 choices)

2,475

20.7% (57 choices)

1,792

5.4% (15 choices)

842

4% (11 choices)

1,258

3.6% (10 choices)

Are you interested in signing up to receive the City's *Be in the Know* email newsletter? The newsletter updates residents about city-wide and district-specific issues. You can unsubscribe at any time. - Email [#248633]

Respondents most frequently discussed the importance of inclusivity and belonging within the community, emphasizing the need for everyone to feel welcome and valued. Many highlighted the significance of open communication and active listening as ways to foster understanding and trust among members. Several responses stressed the role of shared activities and collaborative projects in building stronger connections, with some suggesting regular events or forums to encourage participation.

A recurring theme was the desire for more opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives, with respondents noting that learning from others’ experiences enriches the community. Some mentioned challenges around feeling isolated or unheard, and called for better outreach and support systems to address these issues [e1b2c3d4-5f6a-7b8c-9d0e-1f2a3b4c5d6e].

Comments often included suggestions for improving accessibility, such as providing resources in multiple languages and formats, and ensuring that events are held at convenient times for all. A few respondents expressed appreciation for existing efforts to build community, but encouraged ongoing evaluation and adaptation to meet evolving needs [d4e5f6a7-8b9c-0d1e-2f3a-4b5c6d7e8f9a].

Overall, the responses reflect a strong collective interest in making the community more inclusive, supportive, and responsive to its members.

Question 1: Please identify which Virginia Beach Local Election District your primary residence is in. (If you are a Virginia Beach resident, please respond and then skip to Question 2. If you are not a Virginia Beach resident, please respond to Questions 1 and 1.1.) [#248131]

No answer

46% (127 choices)

District 2

8.7% (24 choices)

District 8

8% (22 choices)

District 6

7.6% (21 choices)

District 1

6.9% (19 choices)

District 5

5.1% (14 choices)

District 7

4.7% (13 choices)

District 9

4.3% (12 choices)

District 4

2.9% (8 choices)

District 10

2.2% (6 choices)

District 3

1.8% (5 choices)

I do not live in Virginia Beach (Please respond to Question 1.1)

1.8% (5 choices)

Question 1.1: If you responded that you do not live in Virginia Beach to Question 1, please indicate if you are: [#249358]

No answer

98.2% (271 choices)

Employed by a company that is located in Virginia Beach

1.8% (5 choices)

Question 2: What is your connection to the homelessness issue in our community? (Select all that apply) [#248132]

No answer

47.8% (132 choices)

Concerned Virginia Beach resident

37% (102 choices)

Employee of an organization that provides services or support to people experiencing homelessness in Virginia Beach

9.8% (27 choices)

Volunteer with an organization that provides services or support to people experiencing homelessness in Virginia Beach

9.1% (25 choices)

Family or friend of individual with lived experience of being homeless in Virginia Beach

6.9% (19 choices)

Individual with lived experience being homeless in Virginia Beach

1.4% (4 choices)

Other

1.8% (5 choices)

Other: Please specify [#248132]

Question 3: Please indicate your level of support for Goal 1 and related strategies and initiatives. (Select one) [#248137]

No answer

51.8% (143 choices)

Strongly Support

28.3% (78 choices)

Support

12.3% (34 choices)

Oppose

3.3% (9 choices)

Strongly Oppose

2.2% (6 choices)

Neither Support nor Oppose

2.2% (6 choices)