The lead entity for the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care planning process is the Blue Ridge Interagency Council on Homelessness (BRICH). This leadership group includes twenty-one members, drawn from the general public, seven local governments, mental health programs, state and federal programs, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and colleges/universities throughout the Roanoke region, including people with lived experience of homelessness.
The BRICH serves as the facilitator and coordinator of our community’s efforts to prevent, treat, and end homelessness. The BRICH ensures the planning, coordination and implementation of an effective and efficient system-wide response to homelessness within the Roanoke region; promotes community-wide planning and commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; coordinates funding for efforts to rapidly rehouse homeless individuals and families; promotes access to and strategic use mainstream resources; optimizes self-sufficiency among persons experiencing homelessness; and analyzes community performance by data collection and measurement. BRICH oversees and coordinates the delivery of prevention and homeless services, and the implementation of the strategic plans.
The BRICH meets on the second Friday of each month at 9:00 a.m. with the exception of June, July, and August. Click here for meetings dates and minutes.
The BRICH Governance Charter can be found here.
BRICH Members:
Chair, Paula Prince, PhD, Radford University – Carilion School of Medicine
Andrew Pulley, Roanoke City Police Department
Anne Marie Green, Council of Community Services
Annette Lewis, Total Action for Progress
Bill Duncan, Blue Ridge Independent Living Center
Brittany Huffer, Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare
Bryan Hill, Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
Dave Prosser, Freedom First Credit Union
David Bustamante, Roanoke Redevelopment & Housing Authority
Debbie Brown, Greene Memorial United Methodist Church
Isabel Thornton, Restoration Housing
Judy Hough, Community Volunteer
Judy Smith, Radford – Carilion School of Medicine
Keith Holland, City of Roanoke
Kristin Adkins, Roanoke City – Alleghany Health District
Lee Clark, Roanoke Rescue Mission
Loretta Freeman, Church Women United
Malora Horn, Roanoke City Public Schools
Matt Crookshank, City of Roanoke
Russell Clay, Captain, Salvation Army
Sherry Stull, Scott Hill Retirement Community
Steve Martin, City of Roanoke Department of Human/Social Services
Sue Goad, County of Roanoke Social Services
Tanyia Jones, Salem VAMC
Toni McLawhorn, Virginia Career Works