[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6534481,"mediaKeyId","3584795-db5bf876d8a75f257a6e3d13b170eb89","parentId",3584795,"title","Hampton presents strategy to help working poor, highlights ALICE population and ‘stone soup’ partnership model","audioSeconds",133,"startMs",70000,"endMs",203000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3584795-db5bf876d8a75f257a6e3d13b170eb89&start=70&end=203","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3584795-db5bf876d8a75f257a6e3d13b170eb89/thumbnail_70000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534481/Hampton-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Hampton-presents-strategy-to-help-working-poor-highlights-ALICE-population-and-stone-soup-partnership-model","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534481-6a67f8f82b46d12e3ed6db74b24688dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007867&Signature=WPcUJ1NhW~RICEaSQHTXPVazFGmBNbj-AhaWZusQTb5w2V9y6cun7TrkjAwHyRHbhhM2wGtlbini0V1o-3VWrenc2OLgcUMbjxHWRlfFWTiR7L5wAQBUxJ3RGCW2mh8nO2rWb1JsSlvR8UvMx3wArF6Ye8l0tgCR~G6~bK8tJm2qVeu-7yCsO1a2jUWX28jiCjFILM1Ii3IPhffLKYDZzowH~VPYGZ8CeI41TjEi-D7hoAElkXiU8SV6MEpAwOlAUL5ImvtqSZcKCh0S85b-pWlLtiJ7KjNjkiJyVzHqQ9ILeGzxpRupb03Z8Gn83a5ICA5sY~ym1UM40yDnymIE7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hampton City","date","2025-05-28T00:00:00Z","article","Deanna Valentine, Hampton’s director of Economic Empowerment and Family Resiliency, told the City Council on Monday that Hampton’s poverty rate is 13% and that roughly 40% of residents fall at or below the ALICE (asset‑limited, income‑constrained, employed) threshold.

Valentine said those figures, drawn from the city’s 2024 poverty study, place Hampton slightly below some neighboring cities but leave large pockets of need: “When we look at combining both the ALICE threshold and our pockets of poverty, the people that are living in poverty, we’re looking at more than 50% of our population between ALICE and poverty.”

The presentation outlined why standard, short‑term programs often fail to produce lasting outcomes and identified barriers residents face — from eviction records and criminal‑record barriers to transportation, childcare and the “benefits cliff” that can discourage incremental wage gains. “Any sort of a critical illness, vehicle might need repairs, housing repairs could very easily slide these individuals and these families backwards into poverty,” Valentine said.

Why it matters: Council members said the briefing helps frame where city resources and partnerships can be most effective amid budget constraints. Council and staff emphasized that Hampton has many service providers but the community needs better coordination, up‑to‑date referral information and targeted, scalable programs that reach the working poor and those just below eligibility thresholds for social benefits.

Key proposals and pilot ideas

- Centralized resource guide: Valentine proposed a single, regularly updated index — an app or landing page with city‑sponsored and community resources — to reduce time spent by residents searching multiple, inconsistent lists.

- Hampton “Stone Soup” initiative: a partnership model that encourages congregations, nonprofits, employers and residents to contribute targeted services or short‑term supports so resources collectively fill gaps for families.

- Targeted post‑secondary training and stacked credentials: Valentine described a pilot co‑hosted with Virginia Peninsula Community College at West Hampton Community Center to connect residents with workforce certificates and stackable credentials (CNA, phlebotomy, radiology tech, etc.). She said many participants would qualify for little or no tuition under existing programs.

- Guaranteed income pilots: Valentine described models in other localities and said most pilots she reviewed provide about $500 per month for selected participants; she said Richmond has launched multiple cohorts and Alexandria is concluding a pilot.

- Temporary housing and repurposing of congregation property: staff discussed working with faith groups to repurpose unused parcels or buildings for temporary shelter, childcare or affordable housing.

Council response and next steps

Vice Mayor Brown asked for living‑wage calculations for Virginia and Hampton; Valentine said she would provide the figures. Councilmembers pushed for clearer provider accountability and better outreach: Councilwoman Muggler described difficulty reaching some nonprofits and urged a gap analysis to identify programs that are duplicative or underperforming.

Valentine said her office is building a tracking framework for people who contact the department (initial outreach, referrals, job placement and follow‑up), and that current staff includes Valentine and one staff member transferred from economic development with additional hires planned. She said early workforce events had low turnout (three attendees at the first information session and one at a second) and staff plan expanded outreach — including partnerships with neighborhood groups, churches and the schools — and use of print outreach where appropriate.

Valentine also referenced a $4,600,000 neighborhood resource grant (Congressional discretionary funding) that aligns with planned resource‑center work in historic Phoebus and Northampton; staff said those centers will be coordinated with the Family Resiliency and Economic Empowerment department.

Ending

Council members praised the cross‑departmental approach and the city manager and council urged Valentine to return with specific living‑wage figures, a refined outreach plan for the Stone Soup initiative and an updated resource inventory. Valentine said staff will continue community events, build the centralized guide and pursue partnerships with Virginia Peninsula Community College and other local providers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hampton City - City Council Work Session - May 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Deanna Valentine, Hampton’s director of Economic Empowerment and Family Resiliency, told the City Council on Monday that Hampton’s poverty rate is 13% and that roughly 40% of residents fall at or below the ALICE (asset‑limited, income‑constrained, employed) threshold.","taxTitle","Hampton City (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",5062,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534471,"Hampton City Council votes unanimously to enter closed session on appointments and property acquisitions",40,8329000,8369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3584795-db5bf876d8a75f257a6e3d13b170eb89&start=8329&end=8369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3584795-db5bf876d8a75f257a6e3d13b170eb89/thumbnail_8329000.jpg","/articles/6534471/Hampton-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Hampton-City-Council-votes-unanimously-to-enter-closed-session-on-appointments-and-property-acquisitions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534471-9df71fdf7aa36cc9e49988a6afa6df5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007867&Signature=ncaFY86HwLhmuJk6oN5D1HmKvE~qvIysN9u7NylEJ4X2v2Arou-Fkkjo3JtEKJAlRYdHHzm0a1JFsZYwt2bdZRJ-JudzqZ~6qGi7ClEUTSClldIVI5cbgQgVq8tQhk5IHaIcHBO0f-9TW2QaJ8-UwRVqLPWXOknobIgImhlJ9-KnnNbID7rfihnNS-70VIJyJfbDxruhr9gQ51NTsMHObjsFIh7Za34EWjRji4p2AnCWOngPt0NmY0c9hr7xVDpyI0-swuZsTAVD7P92baysWV6Q7oeJ4puC~SHxW9cZtESH5jEwcwpxYbmRpAeB4JIFSg038WRW-yWJmZ5EsKjk6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hampton City Council voted unanimously to move into closed session at the end of Monday’s work session.

The clerk read a motion to convene a closed session “pursuant to Virginia code sections 2.2‑3711(a)(1), (a)(3) and (a)(8) to discuss an appointment as listed on the agenda, and to discuss the potential acquisition of real property in the Buckroe and Phoebus areas, and consultation with legal counsel regarding the same, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the city’s bargaining position or negotiating strategy.”

A voice motion was recorded (“So moved. Second.”) and the roll call vote returned seven ayes: Councilman Bowman, Vice Mayor Brown, Councilwoman Campbell, Councilwoman Farabee, Councilwoman Harper, Councilwoman Mugler and Mayor Gray. The council then recessed to a closed session in the Lawson Conference Room to consider the listed matters.

Ending

Council reconvened briefly to certify the closed session before adjourning; no public action related to the substance of the closed session was recorded in the meeting transcript.","Council voted unanimously to convene a closed session to discuss an appointment and potential acquisition of property in Buckroe and Phoebus and to consult with legal counsel; roll call recorded all ayes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534476,"City attorney outlines options to require community meetings for rezoning and use permits",1005,4667000,5672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3584795-db5bf876d8a75f257a6e3d13b170eb89&start=4667&end=5672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3584795-db5bf876d8a75f257a6e3d13b170eb89/thumbnail_4667000.jpg","/articles/6534476/Hampton-City-Independent-City/Virginia/City-attorney-outlines-options-to-require-community-meetings-for-rezoning-and-use-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534476-02d176cdad4caad06feeb5bf52f6d508/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007867&Signature=JM3OqYTMFLcSUXNYL0NSt~fSC7ZDLbtYNZwTW-thChHl1D0gJ1ZbFjmttxhakAiOHSFaRT-FL52giFW3HfD6j9bgQPX2IjQnpx3kVAgxH1PJ~d8zy9OWkNdzye15OeNCYzH3acUkjgKPZs7EKiSG8QVEjE9XEFj-seQyaiDkvvmmR2MRX6QbC5AvLdZvOxzIg26~oZYJTB4B7C7uFZofZd8xwTjSQIxZqOIk2gh0NIaMQytsU0k9lILYqBVrC4PauWQG2SFVC3gs7~HGS3KOfyJc~58kRe5uE4e5v1wxzi-4yo9HrM9hOzBd5FTuUduXrRRy86aw0sA9pXjcyykWhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Attorney Courtney Sidner and interim Deputy Director of Community Development Stephen Lynch presented legal and procedural options for the Hampton City Council to require community meetings for rezoning and special‑use permit applications.

Sidner told council that the city currently encourages community meetings but does not require them in the zoning ordinance and that a requirement would need to be added to the ordinance: “If you were to include a community meeting requirement in the zoning ordinance, it would be part of the application process for these legislative applications,” she said.

Why it matters: Council members said they want clearer, consistent expectations so neighborhood concerns are raised early and applicants can address issues before public hearings. Requiring meetings would likely add time to some applications but councilmembers and staff discussed waiver mechanisms for limited circumstances.

Options presented

- Mandatory meeting with no waiver: Sidner described Norfolk’s ordinance, which requires a neighborhood meeting for all development applications reviewed by Norfolk’s planning commission and provides detailed notice rules; she said Norfolk does not provide a general waiver but noted applicants may partner with existing neighborhood organizations to satisfy the requirement.

- Mandatory meeting with administrative waiver process: Sidner described an approach used previously by Charlottesville, where a general community‑meeting requirement existed but the department director could approve guidelines including waivers; Charlottesville removed the requirement in a recent code update but the example shows a waiver model.

- Continue current practice: encourage or request meetings without an ordinance requirement.

Staff recommendations and implementation details

Lynch outlined implementation considerations: required meetings would occur before the planning commission public hearing; notice should be at least the minimum required by state law for planning notices (adjacent owners and owners across the street), with a typical radius used by staff of three‑quarters of a mile for broader outreach. Lynch said the city could add staff discretion to shrink or expand the notice radius for dense downtown areas or where a project’s impacts are narrowly localized.

Potential waiver categories discussed included proposals on city‑owned property (City, EDA, HRHA), developments wholly within business parks, some public education facilities or campus‑internal changes, and projects that align with surrounding uses and the city’s future land‑use goals. Councilmembers asked that waivers be narrowly tailored and that public‑safety‑sensitive or security‑sensitive proposals be eligible for exception when disclosure could pose risks.

Council feedback

Council members broadly supported a requirement with limited, well‑defined waivers. Councilman Bowman and Vice Mayor Brown said mandatory meetings would reduce repeated postponements when applicants arrive without having met neighbors. Several members emphasized early notification to applicants so meetings do not become a last‑minute delay. Councilwoman Muggler urged a concise, consistent ordinance so all applicants follow the same standard and developers know expectations up front.

Sidner and Lynch said staff will draft ordinance language, notice standards and waiver criteria for council review, and stressed the importance of building community outreach practices (mailings, flyers, partnerships with HOAs and neighborhood groups) into the implementation plan.

Ending

Council directed staff to return with a draft ordinance and guidelines that would allow limited waivers and establish notice standards. Staff said they will include time‑frame guidance and suggested outreach methods to maximize meaningful participation.","City attorney Courtney Sidner and community development deputy director Stephen Lynch briefed council on options to amend the zoning code to require neighborhood/community meetings for rezoning and special use permits, with possible waivers and notice standards; Norfolk and Charlottesville examples reviewed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hampton presents strategy to help working poor, highlights ALICE population and ‘stone soup’ partnership model

Hampton City Council votes unanimously to enter closed session on appointments and property acquisitions

City attorney outlines options to require community meetings for rezoning and use permits