Roanoke is a charming and quaint city, shaped by its rich industrial history and the warmth of its Southern culture. The city is known for its hospitable people, iconic 90-foot star, and its captivating scenery.
However, the serenity of Roanoke is increasingly being threatened by the growing population of individuals experiencing homelessness. In recent years, Roanoke has witnessed a visible increase in panhandling, congested food pantries, and tent cities in patches of woods between city blocks.
The issue of homelessness is complex and has been the subject of misinformation and miscommunications. While residents have noticed an uptick in unsheltered individuals throughout the city, it is not representative of the broader picture of homelessness.
“Unsheltered” is a term used to describe those who live outside of shelters, as those who do live in shelters usually stay in temporary housing provided by homeless agencies. In the Roanoke Valley, the largest emergency shelter is the Rescue Mission of Roanoke, which accepts guests from all walks of life, including a Men’s Shelter and a Women/Children’s Shelter.
Surprisingly, statistical data from the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care has shown that homelessness in the Blue Ridge region has actually decreased massively over the past 16 years, from 566 in 2007 to 269 in 2022, a 70 percent difference. However, the recent increase in unsheltered individuals in Roanoke has raised concerns, with 91 unhoused people recorded in the last count in 2022, compared to only 53 in 2007.
While the Covid-19 pandemic is often cited as the cause of this increase, it does not fully encapsulate the complete story. Many laws and ordinances were passed to limit the spread of the virus, which caused shelters like the Rescue Mission of Roanoke to limit the number of guests they could accommodate. As a result, non-congregate shelters, such as isolated shelters like hotel rooms, were made available. However, this was not enough to combat the effects of the pandemic, and many who could not afford housing ended up unsheltered.
Apart from the pandemic, the communal environments of some shelters in Roanoke may have deterred some people from using them, while others may have had incorrect preconceived notions of what staying in a shelter would entail. Nevertheless, the Roanoke Rescue Mission welcomes all individuals who need a meal and a bed for the night, and does not require participation in any religious activities.
The issue of homelessness is a complex one, and the recent increase in unsheltered individuals in Roanoke underscores the need for effective solutions. While progress has been made in reducing homelessness in the broader region, the Roanoke community must continue to work towards providing adequate shelter and support for those in need.
