Hotels have become an increasingly common last resort for Richmond-area families experiencing homelessness, according to a new report from Henrico-based advocacy group Housing Families First.
Why it matters: Hotels are increasingly filling the gap for local families who may be able to afford monthly rent but can’t overcome the barriers to securing long-term housing.
- Those barriers can include security deposits, past-due bills and sometimes a complicated rental application process, per the report.
By the numbers: Of the 2,854 students experiencing homelessness across Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield in 2022-23, the latest year available, about 830 — or 29% — were living in hotels or motels, per SchoolHouse Connection data cited in the report.
- The share increased in all three localities between 2019-20 and 2022-23.
- Henrico: 20.4% ➡️ 32.8%
- Richmond: 16.6% ➡️ 26.6%
- Chesterfield: 19.1% ➡️ 26.6%
- Statewide: 15.9% ➡️ 21.5%
Zoom out: In all, 904 local families — representing more than 3,000 adults and children — received homeless services between July 2025 and June 2026 after becoming homeless or coming within three days of losing their housing…