Laserfiche WebLink
November 25, 2025 <br /> <br />25 - 339 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting Permanent Supportive Housing <br />funding in the amount of $830,462 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral <br />Health and Developmental Services and appropriating said funds in the FY 2026 <br />Behavioral Healthcare Service Fund for use by BHS to provide stable long-term <br />housing and support services. <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> Permanent Supportive Housing is a type of affordable housing designed to assist <br />individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, disabilities, or other support needs. <br /> <br /> It combines long-term housing with comprehensive supportive services, such as <br />healthcare, mental health counseling, substance use treatment, and case management. <br /> <br /> The goal of Permanent Supportive Housing is to provide stability, independence, <br />and improved quality of life for residents by providing a stable environment alongside <br />tailored support. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services <br />awarded $830,462 to the Portsmouth Department of Behavioral Healthcare Services. <br /> <br /> The funds will be utilized to provide Permanent Supportive Housing. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> A local match of funding or in-kind contribution in the amount of 10% is required <br />as a condition of the funding. The funding required to meet the match requirement has <br />previously been appropriated in the FY 2026 Behavioral Healthcare Service Fund Budget. <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br /> Adoption of the ordinance. <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br /> <br /> The Finance Department will make the appropriate budget adjustments. <br /> <br />“ORDINANCE ACCEPTING PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FUNDING IN THE <br />AMOUNT OF $830,462 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL <br />HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES AND APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS <br />IN THE FY 2026 BEHAVIORAL HEATHCARE SERVICE FUND FOR USE BY BHS TO <br />PROVIDE STABLE LONG-TERM HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. <br />” <br /> <br />25 - 340 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting funding in the amount of $200,000 <br />from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and <br />appropriating said funds in the FY 2026 Behavioral Healthcare Service Fund for the <br />Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative. <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services <br />(DBHDS) has recognized the critical shortage of trained behavioral health professionals. <br /> <br /> The ongoing challenges of workforce recruitment and retention have directly <br />impacted the City’s ability to meet the needs of individuals with mental health, <br />developmental, and substance use disorders. <br /> <br /> To address these workforce capacity gaps, DBHDS is providing funding to local <br />Community Service Boards and Behavioral Health Authorities in an effort to strengthen <br />and stabilize the behavioral health workforce. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> DBHDS awarded $200,000 to the Portsmouth Department of Behavioral <br />Healthcare Services. <br /> <br /> The funds will be utilized to support efforts to recruit, train, and retain qualified <br />professionals across multiple behavioral health disciplines. This includes career pathway <br />initiatives, supervision and credentialing supports, enhanced clinical training, and <br />retention incentives. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> No local match is required as a condition of the funding. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />