The City of Richmond, in partnership with The Salvation Army, announces the activation of the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter (IWS), located at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue. The IWS will function as an overnight shelter beginning Thursday, Nov 6 to help residents stay safe and warm during periods of extremely cold temperatures.

This activation falls outside of the regular cold weather shelter season (November 15 – April 15) and is being implemented in response to forecasted low overnight temperatures this weekend and upcoming week. The Inclement Weather Shelter will open for the winter season on Saturday, November 15 at 5 p.m.

The shelter will operate:

• Thursday, Nov. 6 – Friday, Nov. 7: 5 p.m. – 8 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 10 – Tuesday, Nov. 11: 5 p.m. – 11 a.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 11 –Wednesday, Nov. 12: 5 p.m. – 8 a.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 13 – Friday, Nov. 14: 5 p.m. – 8 a.m.
• Friday, Nov. 14 – Saturday, November 15 : 5 p.m. – 8 a.m.

Guests are encouraged to arrive by 10 p.m. to ensure check-in and placement before lights out.

“The City of Richmond remains committed to ensuring that every resident has a safe place to go when temperatures drop to dangerous levels,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with The Salvation Army and the many community organizations working together to protect our most vulnerable neighbors.”

The shelter is accessible by GRTC Route 1 with nearby stops along Chamberlayne Parkway. Riders can use the GRTC Transit On The Go app or visit ridegrtc.com to plan their trip.

For more information about the City’s cold weather response and available resources, residents can visit Inclement Weather | Richmond.

The City of Richmond’s Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response (OOSUR) has launched a new harm reduction initiative aimed at preventing overdoses and supporting residents living with substance use disorders. As part of this effort, harm reduction vending machines are being installed at key locations across the city.

These machines will provide free, 24/7 access to life-saving resources such as naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl test strips, and personal hygiene items. The initiative is designed to reduce barriers to care, increase health equity, and ultimately save lives.

“This life-saving program is about meeting people where they are, with compassion and dignity,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “Harm reduction vending machines are a proven tool to prevent overdose deaths and connect individuals with the support they need. Richmond is proud to be among the cities leading with science, safety, and humanity.”

Key features of the vending machines include:

• Free, anonymous access to supplies
• Round-the-clock availability
• QR codes linking to treatment, recovery, and support services
• Strategic placement in neighborhoods most impacted by overdose

Newly hired Opioid Response Strategist Anna Jones of OOSUR, emphasized the importance of reducing stigma and expanding access for residents saying “People deserve to be safe and supported, no matter where they are in their journey. These vending machines are not just about supplies; they’re a bridge to care, to hope, and to healing.”

The first machines are now operational at Marshall Plaza (900 E. Marshall Street) and Southside Plaza (4100 Hull Street). An additional machine will be installed at East End Library (1200 N. 25^th Street) later this month, with additional units planned for installation later this year based on data and community input.

For more information and updates, visit https://www.rva.gov/human-services/opioid-response.  

In response to the ongoing opioid crisis and the growing need for comprehensive substance use prevention and recovery services, the City of Richmond is proud to announce the creation of the Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response (OOSUR). 

This newly established office will serve as the central hub for coordinating the City’s efforts to reduce the impact of substance use disorders across the community. Housed within the Human Services Portfolio under the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, OOSUR will work in close collaboration with local health providers, public safety agencies, community-based organizations, and people with lived experience to develop a strategic, data-informed, and compassionate approach to addressing substance use. 

“The opioid crisis continues to devastate families across Richmond,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “The launch of this office marks a pivotal step forward in ensuring that our response is not only comprehensive, but rooted in equity, harm reduction, and long-term healing for our residents.” 

Key functions of the office include: 

• Coordinating prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives across city agencies and community partners 

• Expanding public education and awareness campaigns 

• Supporting harm reduction strategies, including access to naloxone and overdose prevention resources 

• Strengthening data collection and analysis to inform citywide response 

The office will be led by Anna Jones as the Opioid Response Strategist. Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience in substance use response and community engagement. Most recently, she served as the Opioid Outreach Coordinator for Chesterfield County where she led comprehensive, county-wide initiatives to implement and evaluate public health strategies aimed at combating the opioid crisis. Additional staff members include a Policy Advisor for Opioid Response Coordination and an Opioid Abatement Authority Project Coordinator. 

“We are committed to meeting this crisis head-on with compassion and urgency,” said Jones. “OOSUR will help ensure that Richmond residents affected by substance use have access to the support, treatment, and dignity they deserve.” 

The launch of the Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response aligns with the City’s broader commitment to advancing public health, racial equity, and community resilience. 

For more information and resources, visit https://www.rva.gov/human-services/opioid-response.  

Salvation Army Extreme Heat and Weather Shelter

If the temperature is expected to reach 92°F for two or more consecutive hours during the day, the Salvation Army Extreme Heat and Weather Shelter will open. This space is located at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue and guests will be served lunch while in this cooling center.  The site will remain open overnight if temperatures are predicted to be 92°F or higher at 9 p.m. 

• Shelter location:

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1900 Chamberlayne Avenue

Pets, except for service animals, are not permitted at any location.

The Inclement Weather Shelter

On October 11, 2021, Richmond City Council approved $1,781,510 in federal funds to implement a new Inclement Weather Shelter. Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC) is collaborating with the City and will operate the new shelter. 

The City’s Department of Housing and Community Development identified several options for the proposed shelter. Option #1, and the preferred choice based on cost effectiveness and capacity, was to assist CCC to expand their facility located on Oliver Hill Way to provide emergency shelter to single adult individuals from inclement weather starting this fall. CCC already provides outreach, meals, and services to persons experiencing homelessness. Additionally, through a partnership with the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) and a contract with the State, CCC currently operates a Non-Congregate Program utilizing local hotels. By expanding their Oliver Hill Way facility, at least 75 individuals seeking shelter may be served.

The new shelter considers the recommendations from the GRCoC’s Seasonal Shelter Taskforce and the City’s 2020-2030 Strategic Plan to End Homelessness.

Funding will support the proposed project, which utilizes a two-prong approach.

The first prong includes operating a temporary shelter site at a local hotel, the Quality Inn. The temporary location will be used until the renovation is completed at Oliver Hill Way. The shelter, while at the temporary site, will operate 12-15 hours per day.

The second prong is the renovation of the permanent site at Oliver Hill Way, which will operate 24/7. 

Services provided at both sites include case management, two meals per day, showers, vaccination opportunities, and the connection to healthcare/counseling and other needed resources, if occupants so choose. In addition, onsite security will be available at both the temporary and permanent sites. The new shelter is anticipated to open in early November.

The overall service delivery and funding strategy for homeless services in the region is the responsibility of the GRCoC. The City appreciates its collaboration with the GRCoC. As a member of the Continuum of Care, it will continue to work in partnership toward the ultimate goal of alleviating homelessness and providing stable, permanent housing options for all residents.