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Homelessness in The Highlands Meeting 1 Recap

We hosted the first conversation regarding homelessness in our community on January 16 to see how we can come together to resolve an issue!
January 24, 2024

Homelessness in The Highlands Meeting 1 Recap

Thank you for an awesome turn out at our first roundtable! Virginia Highland District is excited to host the conversation on “Homelessness in the Highlands,” an ongoing conversation. The meeting was a great example of how a community can come together to resolve an issue and now it’s time to get to work!

Report & Action Items from Meeting 1 – Jan 16, 2023

Attendees in order of introduction: Katie Voelpel (VHDA Executive Director), Chip Ney (Highland Tap/Fontaine’s owner), Scott Switzer (Bar.bacoa owner), Alex Wan (Councilmember District 6), Stuart Meddin (property owner since 1979), Tina (VaHi Books Manager), George Frangos (Farm Burger owner), Kay Stephenson (Virginia Highland Security Patrol), Elizabeth Strom (Simpson Org Leasing Agent), Adam Wellsworth (Grace Lutheran Pastor), Tom Murphy (property and business owner over 40 years), Terri Hill (Dakota J’s owner), Leah Matthews (VHCA President), Lynn Dewitt (property owner and forever resident), Lucian Lane (business owner), Amy Harward (VHCA Vice President), Scott Nichols (VHCA Board), Morgan Sangster (VHDA), Brett Johnson (VHDA), Moki Macias and Tamio (PAD Services), and, virtually, Officer Stanio (APD Zone 6).

Topics and takeaways

  • We are all committed – how can we push forward?
  • Responsibility is getting left to local business employees to clean up and de-escalate incidents
  • Not just housing, but a mental health resource issue
  • More calls logged to APD and PAD = more resources allocated to District 6
  • Residents are hesitant to let their kids galavant after school
  • Virginia Highland Safety Patrol keeps watch at night, but is resident based