The CoC Pulse
- Shayla Washington
- Aug 10
- 4 min read
Your weekly snapshot of homelessness response, housing initiatives, data, and community collaboration across the VA-504 Continuum of Care.
Welcome to the third edition of The CoC Pulse, the weekly update from the Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless (BRACH), the Continuum of Care Lead Agency for the VA-504 region.
This week, we're sharing the results of the two-week assessment conducted July 20–31 at the Free Bridge and 0 East High Street encampments, along with several opportunities to learn more and engage in the community conversation about homelessness.
Free Bridge & 0 East High Street: Two-Week Assessment Results
From July 20 through July 31, the Continuum of Care, in partnership with community partners and the City of Charlottesville, conducted a two-week assessment of individuals staying at the Free Bridge and 0 East High Street encampments.
38 individuals were assessed during this period. The goal was to better understand the needs, circumstances, and barriers faced by people experiencing unsheltered homelessness at these locations. The results provide an important snapshot of the people who were engaged during the assessment. Many have dispersed from the encampment since hearing the City's news about clearing the area September 1, which makes it more difficult to locate known individuals and properly assess their immediate needs beyond housing.
Every person's story matters. While this data is only a snapshot and does not capture everyone who may have stayed at either location during the assessment period, it gives the CoC and our community partners a stronger understanding of the people we are working to serve.
The CoC remains committed to using this information to inform effective, compassionate, and dignified responses to unsheltered homelessness—not only as a partner alongside CASS for the 12 month emergency interim period beginning September 1, but beyond the next year as well.
HUD CoC Funding Update: FY2026 NOFO Faces New Legal Development
The FY2026 HUD Continuum of Care Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) remains an important issue for homeless service providers and communities across the country. HUD opened the FY2026 CoC competition on June 1, and the current application deadline was originally supposed to be August 26, 2026.
On August 7, the Supreme Court issued a decision blocking the implementation of significant portions of HUD's FY2026 NOFO following a legal challenge brought by a coalition of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, local governments and nonprofit organizations. The litigation challenges provisions of the NOFO that would substantially change how CoC funding is allocated, including provisions affecting renewal funding and the balance between existing and new projects.
For the VA-504 Continuum of Care, the immediate priority is to continue tracking this situation and stay in communication with CoC-funded agencies and applicants as additional guidance becomes available. The funding decisions made through this process have significant implications for the continuity of housing and supportive services throughout our region, so we recognize the importance of keeping our providers and community informed as the situation develops.
Coming Next Week: PIT Count & Housing Inventory Count Results
Next week's CoC Pulse will feature the results of the 2026 Point in Time (PIT) Count and Housing Inventory Count (HIC). The PIT Count provides a snapshot of people experiencing homelessness on a specific night, while the HIC provides a picture of the shelter, transitional housing, and permanent housing resources available to people experiencing homelessness across our region.
We will release a new infographic highlighting these results and what they tell us about homelessness and our community's current housing and shelter capacity.
Upcoming Community Conversation: Livable Cville Webinar
Want to hear directly from local leaders about what's happening with homelessness in Charlottesville—and what's next?
Join Livable Cville for:
Homelessness in Charlottesville: What's the Plan?
Wednesday, August 19 | 6:30–7:30 PM
This conversation will feature several perspectives on the current state of homelessness and the City's plans moving forward:
BRACH's Executive Director, Shayla Washington, will begin with an overview of the current state of homelessness in Charlottesville, including what we are learning from recent data and the work of the Continuum of Care.
Charlottesville City Councilor Jen Fleisher will then discuss the City's plans to address homelessness.
A representative from Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) will follow with information about the role CASS hopes to play within Charlottesville's local homelessness response landscape.
This promises to be an important opportunity for the community to hear directly from the people involved in planning and responding to homelessness in Charlottesville.
Save the Date: Coffee with the Continuum
Our next Coffee with the Continuum is coming up!
Friday, August 21 | 9:00–11:00 AM
@ CitySpace
100 5th Street N.E.
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Coffee with the Continuum is an opportunity for service providers, community partners, people with lived experience, local government, advocates, and community members to connect directly with the CoC. This event will provide another opportunity for Q&A with:
Misty Graves, City of Charlottesville Director of Human Services
Lieutenant Greg Wade, Charlottesville Police Department
Jen Fleisher, Charlottesville City Councilor
Shayla Washington, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless.
Come learn about what's happening across the homelessness response system, ask questions, share information, and connect with others doing this work.
Staying Connected Through The CoC Pulse
As we continue navigating a period of significant change in Charlottesville's homelessness response, BRACH is committed to keeping the community informed. The CoC Pulse will continue to share verified information about:
Encampment response and outreach
Shelter and housing developments
Homelessness and housing data
CoC initiatives and system changesUpdates from community partners
Funding and policy developments
Upcoming meetings and community events
Opportunities to volunteer and get involved
Perspectives from people with lived experience
Our goal is simple: better information leads to better conversations, better coordination, and ultimately better outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.
Thank you for staying connected with the our Continuum of Care!
Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless (BRACH)
Continuum of Care Lead Agency — VA-504
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