Charlottesville plans temporary emergency shelter on Holiday Drive
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Following City Council's appropriation of funding, the City of Charlottesville today announced the next step in its plans to establish a temporary emergency shelter at the City's property located at 2000 Holiday Drive. The City is working to finalize an agreement with Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) to operate the shelter, subject to the completion of the necessary registrations, approvals, and execution of a final contract.
Finalizing an agreement with CASS would mark a significant step in the City's ongoing response to homelessness and support the coordinated transition of the Rivanna riverfront encampment area. The City is working toward opening the temporary emergency shelter as soon as possible while final site preparations continue. CASS was identified because of its decades of experience operating low-barrier emergency shelters and its proven ability to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with housing, healthcare, behavioral health services, and other supportive resources.
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Founded in 1984, Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) is one of the nation's largest providers of emergency shelter and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. Through a housing-focused approach, CASS connects individuals with emergency shelter, case management, healthcare, behavioral health services, employment resources, and pathways to permanent housing.
Over the past several weeks, the City has worked alongside the Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless (BRACH), People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry (PACEM), healthcare providers, outreach teams, and other community partners to meet individually with people staying at the Rivanna riverfront encampments. Outreach teams have completed needs assessments, connected individuals with available services, and continue helping people access housing, shelter, healthcare, behavioral health services, identification, benefits, and other resources. Those efforts will continue throughout the transition.
Beginning September 1, 2026, the City will begin the coordinated transition of the Rivanna riverfront encampment area. After that date, camping can no longer occur at this location. Public access to the property will be limited to individuals traveling through on the Rivanna Trail by foot or bicycle, or as otherwise authorized by the City. Individuals who remain on the property without authorization after September 1 will be subject to applicable trespassing laws.
"Working toward an agreement with CASS represents an important step in strengthening our community's response to homelessness," said City Manager Sam Sanders. "CASS brings decades of experience operating emergency shelters and, if finalized, this agreement would enhance our ability to provide immediate shelter while connecting people with housing, healthcare, behavioral health services, and other supports. At the same time, our outreach teams and community partners will continue the work already underway to help individuals prepare for the September 1 transition. We remain committed to treating every person with dignity and respect while balancing the needs of the entire community and returning this public space to its intended use."
