January and February are historically the coldest months in Virginia, and that provides a challenge for organizations that serve people without homes.
“Our work is urgent throughout the year but it’s even more urgent during the cold months,” says Roanoke Human Services Coordinator Matt Crookshank, who oversees the Homeless Assistance Team. “When it gets cold, it’s a life-and-death situation.”
The COVID-19 pandemic amplified those challenges. The closure of facilities and social isolation led to changes in the types of people who need services…