What: Media conference to call on Hampton City Council to meet with members

When: Wednesday, September 13 at 6 p.m.

Where: 22 Lincoln StreetHampton, VA 23669

Hampton, Va. — Virginia Organizing’s Newport News/Hampton Chapter will hold a media conference Wednesday, September 13 at 6 p.m. outside the City Council building in Hampton to demand that Hampton City Council address the city’s housing insecurity and homelessness crisis. The peninsula chapter is asking City Council members to speak with the chapter about the needs of our vulnerable community members and to do more to support a brick-and-mortar shelter with wrap around services that would assist with upward mobility.

Other cities such as Baltimore are already using ARPA Funds to address homelessness under the direction of Mayor Scott.

“Everybody out here isn’t addicts,” Andre Hammond, an unhoused chapter member said. “People are out here due to circumstance. I am from Phoebus. I haven’t seen so many people being evicted. It should be obvious — something has to be done. There’s all these abandoned buildings. We need a shelter for the peninsula.”

Richard Malcom, another unhoused community member, agreed.

“Look at where the development is going. All the money is going to downtown Hampton. It’s nice and posh. We have to rely on the church for everything we need,” Malcolm said.

Akoma Love said, “I would like an opportunity to get an apartment and be a part of my community. We cannot talk about housing separate from creating a community.”

To interview a spokesperson for this campaign, please contact Sarah Miller at 434-422-6189 or sarahm@virginia-organizing.org.