Unhoused people

One of the basic needs included in Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is shelter. Maslow understood how important housing is for a person’s holistic development. Unfortunately, in the nearly eight decades since this realization, housing insecurity is still a pressing challenge for a significant portion of people in our society. With people experiencing homelessness or displacement and the rise of gentrification, access to housing is becoming less and less obtainable as the years go on.

Many of the services centered around people experiencing homelessness or displacement offer less than adequate service and do not serve all people. The Newport News/Hampton Chapter of Virginia Organizing is currently working on a campaign to address the issue of inadequate resources for those experiencing homelessness or displacement in our community.

Our goal is to have local officials commit to an inclusive overnight shelter with resources available on housing, education, job opportunities and more. If people cannot obtain the basic necessities in life, they cannot thrive and we should be a city that ensures everyone has the resources they need to do so. As the city looks to revitalize neighborhoods and grow in its economic development, I hope it doesn’t forget an important, yet often overlooked demographic: the unhoused.

The city can rectify these issues by providing quality services that are accessible, equitable and truly help people thrive. An inclusive overnight shelter that provides resources, such as housing and education assistance, could go a long way in making a positive impact on someone’s life.