Vice Mayor Joe Cobb
As the Vice Mayor of Roanoke and a candidate for Mayor, I am acutely aware of the pressing issue of homelessness in our community. Every day, I engage with business owners, civic leaders, residents, law enforcement, and those experiencing homelessness. Their concerns reflect a blend of compassion and frustration—while we aim to support our unhoused neighbors, we also grapple with issues like public safety and urban cleanliness.
Over the past twelve years, we have seen a nearly 30% decrease in homelessness in Roanoke. However, the face of homelessness is changing. In July, 342 individuals were reported homeless in our region, with many facing mental health crises or substance use disorders. Alarmingly, first-time homelessness has reached its highest level in four years. I participated in the recent “point-in-time” count that revealed many affected people are local residents who lost their homes due to family deaths, domestic violence, job loss, or eviction.
The rising cost of housing exacerbates this crisis. A Virginia Tech study indicates a deficit of over 4,000 housing units in Roanoke. The average person in receipt of SSI earns $943 per month but rents start at around $800 for a studio apartment. This stark reality demands a multi-faceted approach to public policy that involves collaboration among private sectors, citizens, and government.
Roanoke City Council, along with a dedicated network of community partners is taking significant steps to address these challenges:
• Enhanced Safety Measures: The Roanoke Police Department has increased patrols and dedicated resources to tackle homelessness-related issues, resulting in a 20% drop in crime.
• Job Outreach Programs: Our downtown library is partnering with Virginia CareerWorks to facilitate direct job outreach for those in need of employment.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Park Roanoke has improved lighting and security in city-owned parking facilities to enhance safety.
• Encampment Clean-ups: This year, the city has invested $50,000 in cleaning up encampments and rehabilitating properties.
• Transportation Initiatives: The Rescue Mission, RAM House (our only day shelter in Roanoke) and Downtown Roanoke, Inc., have launched a program to provide transport for persons from the Mission to RAM to reduce the number of people who might otherwise loiter downtown.
• Community Engagement: Our Interim City Manager and City Council is strengthening engagement with local businesses through roundtable discussions to increase housing and employment opportunities, reduce homelessness overall, and keepour downtown and city healthy and whole.
• Supportive Housing Programs: The Home Safe Housing program, with a focus on mental health and permanent supportive housing, is now leasing units designed for individuals at 60% of the average median income.
• Land Bank Development: We are rehabilitating abandoned properties and constructing new homes through a collaboration with TAP, Habitat for Humanity and Restoration Housing.
• Housing Trust Fund: With an initial investment of $2.5 million, this fund will create loans for affordable housing development.
• Zoning Amendments: Recent changes have opened pathways for new housing opportunities across various affordability levels.
• Homeless Assistance Team: Our team and community housing partners have secured housing for over 250 individuals this year using both subsidized and unsubsidized housing vouchers. And we are advocating for an increase in federal funding for the 5,000 Families Pilot Program to utilize State funds to supplement Federal voucher programs.
• Downtown Ambassadors Program: This initiative, now in its third year is working hard to keep our downtown clean, beautiful and vibrant.
These initiatives not only address immediate needs but also lay the groundwork for sustainable solutions that can benefit everyone in our community.
When I moved to Roanoke in 2001, downtown was a shadow of its current self—home to only 15 residents amidst limited commercial activity. Today, nearly 3,000 people call downtown home, drawn by its vibrancy and amenities. Since 2008, we have seen a staggering 485% increase in residential units downtown.
This transformation is the result of bold public-private partnerships and the collective effort of thousands who have chosen to live and work here. Major developments like the Elmwood Park Amphitheatre and investments in education, Melrose Plaza, Riverdale, parks and recreation, and the innovation corridor for biomedical technology and health care have further enriched our community’s fabric.
While we have made significant strides, there remains much work to be done. Addressing homelessness is just one piece of a larger puzzle that includes tackling various policy challenges faced by cities like ours. I believe that with compassionate leadership and collaborative efforts from all sectors—government, businesses, and residents—we can create a future where everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.
Together, we can continue this journey toward making Roanoke an even better place to live and thrive for all its residents.
