This report, in accordance with Item 349(A) of the 2022 Appropriations Act, provides a status update on the Commonwealth’s emergency shelter capabilities and readiness. This report is divided into two priorities: 1) enhancing local sheltering; and 2) maintaining the State Coordinated Regional Shelter (SCRS) plan.

To enhance local sheltering, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has contracted a State Shelter Project Coordinator to draft a strategy framework for sheltering across the Commonwealth. VDEM has partnered with the VDSS Office of Emergency Management to lead a working group to define requirements, measure gaps, and present actionable solutions to address sheltering needs in Virginia. Local, regional, and tribal partners have been invited to the working group to ensure an inclusive planning process.

The State Coordinated Regional Shelter (SCRS) Program has improved since the last report, but challenges remain in supporting individual localities in the case of a catastrophic event. Annex C: Resident Transition of the SCRS Plan was completed in November 2022. Most of the biennial shelter site assessments were completed in 2023. The Emergency Workforce continues to grow, with a boost from VDEM’s Adjunct Emergency Workforce (AEW). The first full-scale exercise for the SCRS Plan since 2014 was conducted in June 2023. The state shelter coordinator traveled to two disaster-experienced states, Louisiana and Texas, to learn best practices in disaster sheltering for Virginia. The Virginia Department of Social Services Office of Emergency Management completes this report with an updated list of priority recommendations that are actionable starting in the upcoming year.