The Changing Face of Homelessness
Part 6

While Sanders, Murchie and Shannon are on the front lines of homelessness, experiencing it in one way or another on a daily basis, others in Richmond are working for a solution in a different way.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable problems that homeless people face, Reggie Gordon remains upbeat and optimistic.

As the director of Homeward, a nonprofit United Way initiative, Gordon serves as one of the top advocates for homeless people in the city.

Gordon said his organization has developed a 6-year plan to attack the problem head-on.

"By 2006 we hope to solve the problem of homelessness in Greater Richmond," he said. "We believe we will never have a person or family without resources and a system that can expand or retract depending on needs and the demographics of the homeless population."

To Gordon, solving the problem of homelessness doesn't mean that the city will never have another homeless person, but rather that they can get what they need quickly.

Homeward serves as a critical link in the system by serving as a broker, Gordon said, getting money and services where they're needed.

"The object for all of this is to have a strong human services network."

Another priority is increased awareness and understanding. "Now people have almost become defined as homeless." But, he said, "It's a crisis; you can help people out of it with proper support. Once the perspective on it changes, people will step forward"

Gordon said that at its most basic homelessness is caused by a lack of affordable housing or access to that housing.

But he added it's a complex social issue as well.

"It's a pretty comprehensive issue because you're dealing with housing, education, health care, domestic violence, veterans, substance abuse. All those people and families, when the system doesn't work for them and the bottom falls out, they wind up homeless."

Gordon said permanent supportive housing is the solution, places where people can afford to live on minimum wage -- and not just building more shelters.

One strategy pursued by Homeward is partnerships with businesses, churches and nonprofits to create affordable places to live.

He's been pretty successful in securing dollars and volunteers from big companies.

For example, the nonprofit recently signed a multiyear, $250,000 partnership with Wachovia Securities.

Gordon also campaigns to get volunteers to bring their skills to those in need. "Whatever you do for a living you can bring those skills to solving the problem of homelessness," he said. "You don't have to serve food or leave your comfort zone."

Ultimately, he feels that he's made progress and the solution may very well be in place by the target year.

"It's exciting and we feel very optimistic about the support that we've got so far," he said. "We look forward to more people getting involved."

And Gordon, like Murchie, Sanders, and especially Shannon and her children, look forward to more people going homeward.

to Part 5