Item 349(A) of Chapter 1289 of the 2022 Appropriations Act states:

A. By October 1 of each year, the Sheltering Coordinator shall provide a status report on the Commonwealth's emergency shelter capabilities and readiness to the Governor, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget, and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees.

This report, in accordance with Item 349(A), provides a status update on the Commonwealth’s emergency shelter capabilities and readiness. Sheltering is a local government responsibility, but local sheltering capability varies greatly across the Commonwealth and there are limitations to our ability to measure each locality’s capability. This hinders the ability to truly capture readiness for an emergency operation.

A majority of the localities indicated they need external staff support to adequately operate shelters. VDSS and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) have discussed host and regional sheltering options to bolster local sheltering, but these have not yet been implemented.

The State Coordinated Regional Shelter (SCRS) Program has improved since the last report, but still faces challenges in supporting localities in the eventuality of a catastrophic event. The SCRS Program is limited in capacity and in capabilities, even after concerted efforts to increase available shelter sites, acquire necessary commodities, and develop an emergency workforce.

The Virginia Department of Social Services Office of Emergency Management completes this report with a list of priority recommendations that are actionable in the upcoming year.