What are your thoughts about the proposal to fund the design process for a Housing Resource Center at 104 N. Witchduck Road?

The city manager’s proposed budget for FY 2013-14 includes funding for the design phase of a Housing Resource Center to be located at 104 N. Witchduck Road (the former Kempsville Building Materials site). The purpose of this Virtual Town Hall topic is to obtain citizen input on this proposed funding.

Since 2008, the city has been seeking a site to relocate the Lighthouse Center, currently located at 18^th Street and Washington Avenue, near the Virginia Beach Convention Center and the Oceanfront. The Lighthouse Center provides day services for the homeless and serves as a gathering point for the Winter Shelter program. The need for relocation of the center is part of our community plan to do a better job of ending homelessness, to meet Federal requirements, to expand services to families, to provide a central assessment center with more capability, and to provide new shelter and/or housing options that reduce and shorten homelessness.

In June 2012, City Council purchased the site at 104 N. Witchduck Road as a possible site for such a center. Prior to determining what should be done with the site, City Council wants public input. The City Council will be considering whether to fund the design phase of a center at that site when it votes on the city’s proposed budget for 2013-14 on May 14, 2013.

Background information is available on our website for your consideration regarding this issue.

For more information, please contact the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation at [email protected].