Community Homeless Information & Access Line (CHIA)

What is CHIA?

CHIA is a dedicated phone line for people experiencing or facing homelessness in the City of Lynchburg or the four surrounding counties: Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell.*

*If you need resources for another area, please visit the community resource map.

Are you experiencing homeless?

You are already sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation:

  • Outside

  • In a vehicle

  • Abandoned building/storage unit

Are you facing homeless"?

You are at risk of losing your home/current place to stay in the next 14 days:

  • Facing eviction for past-due rent AND you have already attended a court hearing.

  • Staying with friend/family member, but their lease does not allow long-term guests.

  • Self-paying for hotel and out of funds

*CHIA is required to follow the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s definitions of homelessness


Hours & Contact Information:

CHIA is available Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm.

Not sure if you should call? Call anyways! CHIA can be reached by dialing, 434-427-2442.

How Does CHIA Work?

  1. You call! Leave a voicemail if your call is not answered right away.

  2. CHIA calls you back. CHIA leaves a voicemail if needed. You call back when you can!

  3. Once we are on the phone, CHIA tries to understand your specific housing situation by asking questions. This often sounds like:

  • Are you safe?

  • What are your concerns about your housing?

  • Where did you stay last night?

  • How can we help?

  • What is your timeline/deadline?

  • What resources/solutions have you already you tried, or, plan to try?

  • Are you working with any other organizations?

  • Do you know what to expect?

How can CHIA Help?

Once CHIA understands the person’s housing situation better, CHIA can offer information and resources that best fit the specific situation and needs. This looks like connecting a person to emergency shelter, completing a program referral for Homeless Prevention or Street Outreach, or revisiting the conversation/resources as needed.

 

Additional Resources

  • If you are actively fleeing domestic violence or assault, the following hotlines are free, confidential, and available 24/7:

    Bedford County:

    City of Lynchburg, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell, Nelson, Pittsylvania (northern part of county) County:

    Statewide:

  • The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached 24/7 by calling or texting 988. This lifeline serves anyone, anywhere, who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide, a substance use crisis, or another mental health crisis.

  • The Salvation Army of Lynchburg has activated their overnight Warming Shelter, located in their Center of Hope building, at 2215 Park Avenue, Lynchburg VA 24501.

    Shelter Hours

    • The warming shelter will be open every night from December 1st to March 31st.

    LOW-BARRIER: ALL ARE WELCOME

    Shelter Schedule:

    Hot Dinner: served every night, begins at 4:30pm

    Shelter Intakes: begins at 6:00pm

    Guests are Dismissed: 8:00am*

    *subject to change based on weather

  • Understanding the notice you received from your landlord is very important. Only a judge can evict you from a property.

    Please visit this website to learn more about the eviction timeline.

    If you have questions about your rights as a tenant or the notice you received from your landlord, please consider reaching out to a qualified legal resource:

    Virginia Legal Aid

  • 211 Virginia is a free, confidential, and accessible service that connects people to information about:

    • Rental Assistance

    • Utilities Assistance

    • Home Repair

    • Affordable Housing

    • Shelter

    • Employment

    • Healthcare, and more!

    To reach 211, please dial 211 or chat with them using this link.