Housing & Homelessness
Five of the top ten cities in the US with the highest eviction rates are located in the State of Virginia, and Richmond continues to have the second highest eviction rate in the country. This page offers connections for students and faculty with organizations on and off campus that focused on housing and homelessness. There are also many ways students are able to educate and inform others about this issue and these resources are just a way to start engaging.
Featured Community Partners
CARITAS
United by our compassion, CARITAS helps our most vulnerable neighbors break the cycles of homelessness and addiction to reclaim their dignity.
Homeward
Homeward serves as the planning and support agency working to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness in the Greater Richmond region. One of thier core functions is to facilitate collaborative service coordination among the providers and partners in the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care, the collaborative, community-wide planning body working to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness
Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia
HOME works to tackle systemically divisive housing practices through fair housing enforcement and research, advocacy, and statewide policy work. They also aid first-time homebuyers and those under the threat of foreclosure. When unequal access to housing and credit contributes most to our growing wealth gap, their multi-faceted approach is a powerful catalyst toward furthering fair housing.
Campus Connections
Habitat for Humanity
The Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter, serving the University of Richmond, is committed to working under the direction of the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity Chapter to assist in providing safe and affordable housing to those in need. The organization accomplishes its mission by contributing service to Habitat initiatives, conducting fundraising events, and providing advocacy and education for and about the Habitat for Humanity’s mission.
Relevant Courses
PLSC 361 The Politics of Social Welfare
Study of the development and effectiveness of programs in the United States that seek to promote economic equality and alleviate need. A focus on programs for both the poor and the middle class.
PLSC 366 Poverty and Political Voice
Examines how well our nations antipoverty policies alleviate the hardships faced by residents of these communities and assesses the ability of the poor to mobilize for effective social change in their communities. Includes a required community-based learning component.