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The Portsmouth Homeless Action Consortium (PHAC) is a coalition of 22 public and private organizations that maintain a current and viable process to end homelessness, and provides services and resources to the most vulnerable households across the City of Portsmouth.
PHAC serves as the region’s Continuum of Care (CoC) organization and is responsible for coordination and management of federal and state funding for homeless services. The Portsmouth Department of Social Services is the designated Lead Agency for the CoC. Technical support and administration of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is provided by The Planning Council through subcontract. |
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Portsmouth is part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, and has a population of 94,632 with an estimated poverty rate of 19%. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth are historic and active U.S. Navy facilities located in Portsmouth.
PHAC partners include governmental departments, city and regional non-profit service providers, faith-based organizations, and interested community members. Persons with lived experience of homelessness are also encouraged to participate in meetings and on committees.
PHAC has four standing committees: Executive Committee, Policy and Planning Committee, Coordinated Entry Committee, and the HMIS Oversight and Management Committee. The Portsmouth Coordinated Assessment Network (PCAN) and the Veteran Committee are subcommittees under the Coordinated Entry Committee. The community members and agencies of the Portsmouth CoC also meet on a bi-monthly basis at the Community Meeting to review any program updates and share information. This meeting is open to the public.
PHAC partners include governmental departments, city and regional non-profit service providers, faith-based organizations, and interested community members. Persons with lived experience of homelessness are also encouraged to participate in meetings and on committees.
PHAC has four standing committees: Executive Committee, Policy and Planning Committee, Coordinated Entry Committee, and the HMIS Oversight and Management Committee. The Portsmouth Coordinated Assessment Network (PCAN) and the Veteran Committee are subcommittees under the Coordinated Entry Committee. The community members and agencies of the Portsmouth CoC also meet on a bi-monthly basis at the Community Meeting to review any program updates and share information. This meeting is open to the public.
The City of Portsmouth website may also provide additional Continuum of Care information.
The mission of the Portsmouth CoC is to help decrease homelessness and enhance the quality of life of persons at risk of or experiencing homelessness in Portsmouth by fostering their levels of self-sufficiency through housing assistance and a supportive network of community services.
Affordable Housing Shortage in the PHAC Service Area
- Rent affordable at 30% of area median income = $595 vs. fair market rent for a 2 bedroom = $1,104
- There are just 54 units for every 100 households earning less than 30% of area median income
- 89% of renter households earning less than $20,000 pay over 30% of their income toward rent
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According to estimates by the Urban Institute, the region’s 2020 Point-in-Time Count (PIT) of 425 could actually mean that up to 745 persons cycle through homelessness in the community during the course of a year (PIT count x 5).
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In 2020, 364 beds were available to homeless individuals and families in the following programs, including a variety of vouchers from local housing authorities.
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The Portsmouth Homeless Action Consortium (PHAC) was established in 1996 in the City of Portsmouth, Virginia. PHAC is a group of agencies working together, on a mission to decrease homelessness and improve the quality of life for persons at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
In an organized effort, PHAC provided support services and housing assistance to those most in need while promoting independence and encouraging individuals and families to be the best that they can be. |
