Accelerating Access to Service (con’t)

“The importance of these centers cannot be overstated. They’re so vital that the governor made them a centerpiece of his ‘Right Help, Right Now’ initiative for mental health,” said John Littel, Secretary of Health & Human Resources. “We have so few facilities that specially target young people in mental health crises.”

The pilot program will serve youth between 7 and 17 years of age residing in Region 4 of Central Virginia. Capacity will begin at six youth when the CRC first opens, and gradually expand to nine. Family involvement will be a key component of the CRC through in-person and virtual options.

“Henrico County believes in the power of partnerships to build a stronger community, and this project is more evidence of what can happen when nonprofit and government sectors join forces,” said Frank Thornton, chairman of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors. “Utilizing the expertise of St. Joseph’s Villa, this center will provide essential mental health services for so many young people, and support for their families, in Henrico and the broader region.”

Renovations to the existing 1,780 sq. ft. Villa building will be completed in 2024, at an estimated cost of nearly $1 million. The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is funding the project.

The CRC marks the Villa’s second regional partnership to provide critical youth mental health services. Our Crisis Stabilization Unit opened in 2012 in partnership with Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, and also serves Region 4. Like the Crisis Stabilization Unit, the CRC will keep youth in their community–a crucial part of their wellbeing.

Snapshot of Youth Mental Health in the U.S.

16% of youth report suffering from at least one major depressive episode in the past year. More than 2.7 million youth are experiencing severe major depression.

60% of youth with major depression do not receive mental health treatment.

1 in 10 youth with private insurance do not have coverage for mental or emotional difficulties.

48th

Virginia currently ranks 48th in youth mental health access, according to Mental Health America’s 2023 annual report.

Flagler to pilot Shared Housing in Greater Richmond Continuum of Care

As we face a deficit of affordable housing across the nation, the Villa’s Flagler Housing & Homeless Services team is piloting Shared Housing as a new viable option for individuals to prevent and exit homelessness. The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that only 36 affordable and available rental homes exist for every 100 extremely low-income households. Under the Shared

Housing model, two or more unrelated tenants have their own room and share a common living space. Each tenant has the opportunity to be introduced and matched with a compatible housemate, and may leave Shared Housing at any time according to their individual lease.

By reducing individual rent burdens, this

DID YOU KNOW?

In the fourth quarter of 2022, the average asking rent in Richmond was $1,285 –up 8.8% from a year earlier.

46.2% of homes in Richmond are oneperson households; the number of people living alone has increased 3.9% year-overyear since 2016.

Benefits Of Shared Housed

Exit homelessness sooner

Afford better quality housing in client’s desired neighborhood

Client can choose housemate(s)

Decrease isolation and increase personal support model not only offers clients more housing options, but can also reduce the length of move-in time. Other parts of the U.S. that have implemented Shared Housing have seen success for all populations served, including people with substance use and mental health challenges.

Like all pilot programs, launching the Shared Housing model in Richmond will be a learning process. Flagler will work specifically with individuals for the pilot, and share outcomes with partner agencies this fall.