Housing Hurdles Remain Despite Federal and Local Pledges

Homeownership remains troublingly out of reach for many Virgin Islanders, while the twin disasters of COVID and the 2017 hurricanes have others homeless in the territory, said experts testifying before the Legislature.

Andrea Shillingford, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands, said homelessness isn’t only those who find themselves sleeping on park benches. Many Virgin Islanders have to move every week or so, are sleeping on relatives’ couches, or are fleeing domestic violence.

“Homelessness is not a choice. We must not judge homeless persons because we do not know their stories or experiences,” Shillingford said at the Senate hearing Monday.

In 2021, Catholic Charities helped shelter and feed 716 people in need in the territory. The pandemic limited bed space the charity could offer. Men make up the majority of the sheltered as women are more likely to be taken in by a family member, she said.

Still, the pandemic has created a troubling new normal: People further displaced by the pandemic have been couch surfing for too long, she said.

“Individuals who lost income, and as a result their permanent housing, have been living with family or friends. It has been at least 18 months. So it is time for you to leave,” Shillingford said.

The problem, she points out, is that existing house stock, especially on St. Thomas and St. John is inadequate for these people’s needs. Much of the long-term rental supply has been converted to short-term vacation rentals.

Erma Chase, executive director of The Methodist Training & Outreach Center, said there was a pronounced uptick in the need for food and housing services since the pandemic.

“As a community, we can do better in providing better service and assistance to both the homeless and mentally ill. The missing pieces are far more than the programs we currently have. More effort and funding are necessary to get the homeless off the streets and referred to the services that they need. These services include general healthcare, mental healthcare, counseling, general hygiene, a place to take a bath and get out of the elements are all necessary components that should be available for the homeless,” Chase said.