Virginia Beach Seeking Public’s Assistance in Identifying Locations Where Individuals are Living Unsheltered

Virginia Beach Housing & Neighborhood Preservation is asking for the public’s help in identifying locations throughout the city where they have observed individuals living without shelter. Locations confirmed by the City’s Homeless Outreach Team will be added to staff and volunteer routes during the street count of the 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count of the homeless population. 

Residents can use a map tool at www.SpeakUpVB.com to submit locations from a mobile device or computer through Nov. 30. Locations also should include the date observed and details to help describe the situation. For the privacy and security of individuals experiencing homelessness, the department asks for visual observations only. Comments submitted through the tool will be private.   

The Homeless Outreach Team is tasked with identifying and engaging individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Team members proactively meet individuals and families in their current environment to assess needs and facilitate access to shelter and housing services within the established system of care. 

Public input through the online tool is intended to enhance the team’s efforts for PIT and help ensure the count is as thorough as possible, so that all unsheltered individuals have the opportunity to be counted and connected to resources.  

Signs that someone may be living unsheltered at a particular location include personal belongings left behind, a structure resembling a bed is present, or the individual has been seen there on multiple occasions. Panhandling is not a definitive sign of unsheltered homelessness.  

As a recipient of federal funding for homelessness programs, Virginia Beach is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to conduct an unduplicated count of its homeless population. Demographic information and other data collected during the PIT Count are also important to understanding the scope of homelessness, measuring progress and identifying opportunities to better address needs. 

To learn more about the PIT Count, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/PITCount. For assistance with the online tool, contact Stacey Leary, at 757-385-5161 or SLeary@VBgov.com. For more information about providing locations for the Homeless Outreach Team, call 757-385-5165. 

For more ways to give help and join the community effort on making homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring in Virginia Beach, visit BEACHCommunityPartnership.org.