[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6588599,"mediaKeyId","5578030-c97030730ba1d95ccad054a14ad40ed1","parentId",5578030,"title","Hampton’s Hopeful Hampton reports declines in shootings and expands youth employment, diversion and relocation services","audioSeconds",3999,"startMs",1132000,"endMs",5131000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578030-c97030730ba1d95ccad054a14ad40ed1&start=1132&end=5131","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578030-c97030730ba1d95ccad054a14ad40ed1/thumbnail_1132000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588599/Hampton-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Hamptons-Hopeful-Hampton-reports-declines-in-shootings-and-expands-youth-employment-diversion-and-relocation-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588599-6b7688bf6b48f6a60ac87aab54d4d18b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770417832&Signature=idJS2fUtned~JN1qhoqrPxzD0ZwpHyzKVoo1FYNTMeBpOTChxezqies5mK-vWA2aL2ZEsRMudjI3hLa61-v9wIf2ryzx6~j7HBA10tkMCjFistKuUp8rPU-DG8hRUWLcrT6qGLtwVYDT0leJU~d3yV7ESK6l3mUgxfW9rzAJ0ePzaVUXcofq5uETzuFkFVZbOXVeuN7VtHIJ8HTW293Sa6VILClTBsxOLmGfTiK4dnIuI9pl798tNg8Pcul8c60mqQQe0gNQHdL6kXyg0aWNxPtuilBX-9kgvffI2Jdom1J-6hIMlw3eLrQa3Jea5mkcdK-du1FgM6g77w0-Lgbcgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hampton City","date","2025-08-13T00:00:00Z","article","Leticia Handy, director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Opportunities, presented the Hopeful Hampton initiative’s annual report to the Hampton City Council, summarizing prevention and intervention work aimed at reducing gun violence and stabilizing youth and families.

Handy said the office’s core focus is prevention, intervention and family stabilization and stressed the program’s “carrot-and-stick” model: city-funded wraparound services combined with enforcement and prosecution where appropriate.

Key program results and figures (as presented):
- Summer youth employment grew from 83 participants in 2022 to 147 in 2025, placed across 58 host sites; the program received more than 400 applications this year.
- The Hopeful Hampton Divergent program (a 12-week incentivized intervention) had 27–28 participants in the most recent cohort, with 19 completed program successes and 8 reoffenders for a reported 70.4% success rate.
- Between 2023 and 2025 the presenter reported an aggregate decrease of “50–57% or higher” relative to 2023 shooting peaks, though Handy noted peaks occurred in 2023 and 2025 and that police data timing can vary by reporting period.
- The office reported 169 individuals were originally on the vulnerability list (those at greatest risk of involvement in shootings); as of the presentation the list showed 92 active and 77 removed, with 51 people removed after two years without incident.
- Opportunity Connect, the case-management/referral platform, handled more than 65 cases in FY2025; roughly 60 of those were assigned individualized service plans.
- The office reported relocating six families temporarily and three young adults permanently into transitional housing this year; three of those maintained housing and employment.

Handy highlighted several program elements:
- Neighborhood resource centers: The office received $4.6 million (congressional allocation attributed to Congressman Bobby Scott) to develop five neighborhood resource centers in targeted areas. Rip Rap Road was identified as the first site; the office was in contract review with Bethel Christian to open a center before Oct. 1.
- Shoreline Operation Station: An initial temporary tent staffed during high-use periods evolved into a permanent staffed structure for Buckroe Beach; Handy reported the station operated seven days per week from noon to 8 p.m. during the season and that since the Shoreline Operation Station began the office recorded no fights or youth-related incidents requiring a police call for service while on duty (two missing-children events were resolved quickly).
- Violence interrupters and outside agencies: Handy described a network of contracted “credible messengers” and interruption partners. The office reported an annual contracted investment of roughly $287,762 previously, later “quartiled down” to approximately $168,000 for FY2026 allocations, with most organizations funded at about $42,000 per year and one organization receiving higher funding because it provided wraparound services and mental-health coordination.

Handy discussed finance and grant administration: the office carried over roughly $1,170,000 in FY2025 funds and reported that total general-fund appropriations and grants had been used for capital, programming and salaries. She compared the office’s prevention spending to incarceration costs, noting Virginia’s annual incarceration cost per inmate at $61,000 and asserting prevention spending was lower than the hypothetical incarceration cost for comparable individuals.

Council members asked about operational details including case-management training, data quality, transportation for summer youth employees, and the sustainability of hospital partnerships for housing placements. Handy said outside agencies use a common reporting tool (Opportunity Connect/JotForm), acknowledged data-entry and training needs, and said some housing stabilization expenses may be routed through a Riverside Hospital partnership.

Summer Youth Employment success coach model: Council also heard from three summer success coaches — Alexa Gaines (VCU), Yajimai “Michelle” Prempeh (Hampton University), and Damir Borders (Livingstone College) — who said the success coach role provided on-site mentoring, conflict mediation and supervisor support across many work sites. The success coaches reported supporting 87 young people directly (about 59% of SYEP participants) via 55 site evaluations, 12 reflections and routine check‑ins; supervisors and councilmembers praised the model.

Ending: Handy asked for continued city support and monitoring; she said the steering committee and partners will continue working on neighborhood centers, stabilization placements and data systems. Council members praised the office’s results and asked for additional success stories in future reports for public communication.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hampton City - City Council Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Leticia Handy, director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Opportunities, presented the Hopeful Hampton initiative’s annual report to the Hampton City Council, summarizing prevention and intervention work aimed at reducing gun violence and stabilizing youth and families.","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},6588594,"City staff recommend zoning changes to allow accessory dwelling units, propose owner-occupancy, size and permit rules",2347,10020000,7673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578030-c97030730ba1d95ccad054a14ad40ed1&start=10020&end=7673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578030-c97030730ba1d95ccad054a14ad40ed1/thumbnail_10020000.jpg","/articles/6588594/Hampton-City-Independent-City/Virginia/City-staff-recommend-zoning-changes-to-allow-accessory-dwelling-units-propose-owner-occupancy-size-and-permit-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588594-c181961aad211ba59360597ae248a0a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770417832&Signature=ZhOtZj~PxOMie9mBmNHHLC5clUc~npYGSvTYSHliLrkFJaJCLIPpRrayg2Ea~ytjBRRFhh5-CU2dpRc~OAGS31zeJAJd6JhjrME2JVs42UBtUqHKVt95d7nsjT-AKaDEFU~bqV1TAOzTlynUDTFBmLEfXHS-7KPtes8dq1lkrKqOtoEShDt3stm7CMNHvZBfUWn6IRpIQu~GMjH~HY73L5RBLuk0Owd5m1I~SLFV71sB4zV50rQawtsTLhblbNTqyyxah4RP~goF1aqF3~E8Mgd9BVmhTTKuh2FupY1Aw56plcDPKKEBrd6uRzui74-CdLTI-mksfaoKDTixQe6Qyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community Development staff presented recommended zoning ordinance amendments to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on single‑family lots and outlined a public engagement and adoption timeline.

Monica Mehar, the city’s community engagement manager, told council the first public engagement round drew 363 responses and that nearly half of respondents said they would consider adding an ADU to their property. Staff said 43% of respondents envisioned using ADUs primarily for family-support purposes such as housing an aging parent, a student or a household member with a disability.

Staff recommendations (phase 1 approach):
- Permit one ADU per lot containing a single‑family home, by right, subject to development standards.
- Maximum ADU size limited to 50% of the principal dwelling or 800 square feet, whichever is less; no minimum lot-size requirement proposed.
- Attach or detach allowed; existing accessory structures (for example, a legal nonconforming rear garage) could be converted to ADUs without forcing full compliance with current dimensional codes, subject to the 800‑square‑foot cap in conversions.
- Setbacks would follow existing principal-structure setbacks for attached ADUs and accessory-structure setbacks for detached ADUs; separation requirements for detached ADUs would be governed by the building code rather than by zoning text.
- Height limits generally recommended at 16 feet (about one and a half stories) measured from base grade to roof midpoint; for ADUs in flood zones, staff recommended measuring from design flood elevation to roof midpoint to allow required elevation while keeping the 16-foot cap.
- Staff recommended prohibiting short-term rentals in ADUs and prioritizing family‑unity and multi‑generational living for phase 1.
- Parking: require identification of one on-site parking space only where the adjacent block faces are designated as no‑parking; staff cited a desire to avoid adding impervious surface for parking when feasible.
- Administration: require a Zoning Administrator permit for newly established ADUs to support enforcement and to collect owner information for any owner‑occupancy requirement. Building and mechanical permits would still be required separately.

Staff said proposed next steps include additional outreach to the neighborhood commission, the mayor’s committee for people with disabilities and a public hearing before the planning commission on Oct. 16, followed by a council public hearing scheduled for Nov. 12. Mehar noted a project webpage at hampton.gov/adus for background materials.

Council members asked for clarifications on items including nonconforming structures, training for permitting staff, and owner‑occupancy language. Kim (interim director of Community Development) said staff favored language similar to neighboring jurisdictions (school-specific examples cited) requiring the property owner to reside either in the principal dwelling or the ADU when a unit is established.

Ending: Staff emphasized a phased approach for adoption, monitoring and potential later adjustments once ADUs are in use. Council did not take a final vote; staff will present an ordinance for public hearing later this year.","Community Development staff presented recommended zoning ordinance amendments to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on single‑family lots and outlined a public engagement and adoption timeline.",{"_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},6588604,"Fort Monroe Authority director outlines landscape action plan, funding and design competition",944,76000,1020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578030-c97030730ba1d95ccad054a14ad40ed1&start=76&end=1020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578030-c97030730ba1d95ccad054a14ad40ed1/thumbnail_76000.jpg","/articles/6588604/Hampton-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Fort-Monroe-Authority-director-outlines-landscape-action-plan-funding-and-design-competition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588604-e0e31233649955d39b68c73a48f5d84d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770417832&Signature=aOlndrFp5kUnzP~a2bmC~sSk-wsqmqtknFg0XMo3nl4aF~p3DaLCk-BIJ2fq4rI6CV-7KAUoHYuUCILMWkPrIQ20F5Qft2n0QxfAh~ImjZanEymCZcRwRC-bbPfFNyZDFmocBlnm0QKO3NnErbqS5KvaPO6gjCtvAVY-Cf8SiyZy7pbLnbXkxMLSo7xP-CaD46imfa~ickLfiHMHKYuj9DdOFmUN85qVoEabwJwJJ05BXb3inMDiRc1KfDb13FhKYWSI3SH7gv96I9i0NFFzOzzagJyw0kOXPuepWhcxJZxApiGzbLYiB3iAATSe3RzR9212PhdfB~jaaebPdUnuig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott Martin, executive director of the Fort Monroe Authority, told the Hampton City Council the authority will begin a landscape action plan and pursue physical and programmatic improvements to the Fort Monroe site as part of a new phase of stewardship.

Martin said Fort Monroe, a National Historic Landmark managed jointly by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the U.S. National Park Service, hosts roughly a half million visitors annually and has about 600 residents, with roughly 99% of residential units leased. He said private residential development projects underway include the Echelon project, which he said would add roughly 150 new residents, and that the Commonwealth has allocated about $50 million for infrastructure work to repair water and sewer lines.

Why it matters: Fort Monroe is a high-profile public historic and ecological site in Hampton. Martin described the coming landscape plan as an opportunity to balance historic preservation, ecological resilience and public programming, and to make the site more pedestrian-oriented and “sacred” in the sense of quiet, reflective public space.

Martin framed the effort as design-led and partnership-driven. He described the authority’s intent to run an international design competition judged by a jury that will include architecture deans from the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, the president of the U.S. Cultural Landscape Foundation, and Hampton University’s chair of architecture. He said more than 130 firms reviewed the site at a recent RFP site visit, including designers of the High Line, Bryant Park and The Presidio.

Martin said the authority is funded to proceed with the landscape action plan and that Phase 1 utilities are funded; he added the authority had requested funding for Phase 2 utilities in the governor’s budget and expected an update when the governor’s budget is released later in the summer. He also noted ongoing work on historic building preservation and an African Landing Memorial scheduled to open this fall; he said Fenwick Road will be closed to vehicle traffic to make the memorial a pedestrian experience.

On sustainability and revenue, Martin identified four revenue streams the authority will rely on to operate the site long term: earned revenue, philanthropic investment, partnerships (including with the City of Hampton), and Commonwealth support. He cited The Presidio’s model — revenue-generating leased buildings and adaptive infrastructure such as buildings on rails to respond to sea-level rise — as an example of balancing public access and financial sustainability.

Martin emphasized the authority will honor existing governance commitments and previous design studies rather than discarding earlier work. He described the landscape action plan process as civic engagement–centered and said a draft plan would be presented to the Commonwealth and the city in July 2026. He said the authority will host public events when finalists for the design competition come to town.

Quotes: “This is about a new Fort Monroe… It will build from its history while leaving room to make history for people that have yet to arrive,” Martin said. He also told council, “This stuff ain’t cheap… Ecological. It’s non negotiable,” emphasizing cost and ecological priorities.

What council heard and next steps: Council members and the city manager thanked Martin and noted connections between the Fort Monroe effort and wider city planning work; the city manager said consultant Mitchell Silver will join a joint planning retreat in September that will coordinate Fort Monroe concepts with citywide planning. Martin said the authority will return with design competition finalists and community engagement opportunities as the plan develops.

Ending: Martin closed by saying he looked forward to working with the city and community. The authority’s timeline calls for a draft landscape action plan by July 2026 and ongoing fundraising and utilities work in phases as budget approvals occur.","Scott Martin, newly appointed executive director of the Fort Monroe Authority, told the Hampton City Council the authority will pursue a landscape action plan, improvements funded by the Commonwealth, and a national design competition to shape Fort Monroe’s public landscape.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588584,"Council votes to convene closed session to discuss appointments and Buckroe-area property",97,10062000,10159000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578030-c97030730ba1d95ccad054a14ad40ed1&start=10062&end=10159","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578030-c97030730ba1d95ccad054a14ad40ed1/thumbnail_10062000.jpg","/articles/6588584/Hampton-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-votes-to-convene-closed-session-to-discuss-appointments-and-Buckroe-area-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588584-358103d8718a9029661d558916e9d4dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770417832&Signature=WPZRiQ5B-ZaVoslBztLYmDhFvKmuZKIEv0~Y7nzDHjkpQTld7D25E7lWvboa2mXr3j2L4ramXhCcQ-Wf93x4ql7kFLv0FnT5TjKI1uhHWMgjy5HKc42lDmXdZv2qbaiS8OXGJiyZwMteWU0nAWnRvOvNIHPgVw59m9GG9ePFXUiXr~3W2gsNAGqwnbJxYp5y8ErETCTdv26VK0A6vcjYLKRDhGt30QzYrTLVg1FP9OR4sMdFR~b4I6jV4eS9W~D5V6BDN4NRwZiwCZZgqDzUZwiSw7AHSb0zx7vzNU4UaaauiJgpBakU~pjqQJBfEHl13fvoY5D~1f1GRdZQ-gZnmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hampton City Council voted to convene a closed session pursuant to Virginia Code §2.2‑3711 to discuss appointments listed on the agenda and the disposition of publicly held real property in the Buckroe area. The motion cited the code section authorizing closed sessions for appointments and real‑estate bargaining strategies.

The motion to enter closed session was moved and seconded; the roll call vote recorded ayes from all council members present: Councilman Bowman, Vice Mayor Brown, Councilwoman Campbell, Councilwoman Ferebee, Councilwoman Harper, Councilwoman Mugler and Mayor Gray.

The council recessed to a closed session in the Lawson Conference Room as recorded on the meeting agenda; no outcomes of the closed session were announced in the public portion recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Action details: The motion as read by the clerk invoked the statutory basis for closed‑session discussion of appointments and real property and was approved by unanimous recorded vote. No formal public actions concerning the items were taken during the open session at the time the transcript ends.","Hampton City Council voted unanimously to go into a closed session to discuss appointments and the disposition of publicly held real property in the Buckroe area under Virginia Code §2.2‑3711.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588589,"City to convene balanced stakeholder group and co‑design session on public-rights‑of‑way camping and outreach alternatives",685,8533000,9218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578030-c97030730ba1d95ccad054a14ad40ed1&start=8533&end=9218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578030-c97030730ba1d95ccad054a14ad40ed1/thumbnail_8533000.jpg","/articles/6588589/Hampton-City-Independent-City/Virginia/City-to-convene-balanced-stakeholder-group-and-codesign-session-on-public-rightsofway-camping-and-outreach-alternatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588589-b7fb46bacd85831a54a05e01b7c1c6ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770417832&Signature=h9Wr0UrM1jn3eASNrBRR5CPqwITkwGfolRgYJUjEIVE17LFuw14wUjkCaO0DZ16DUIO8O7-2FAnAeUaMjAEI2ZYzOLsSdHUfPDJE0YN9X4330wqz3kdDiCDISnXoySqABf8b8JBfqTRtuvQsELxPkW~kVQ-naxlhVg4~aSBJE37ZkXJJ7zJALxCCQxCnzswq5~sH1B2uzwZa9Sz-sqqVKjc3k4JRQYZK~oLq1T54--R1q2wwaapGMseBRzYS7~ew0AmfQ-SzCkZaHM1sqBbg9aNEhRWgHpTjhSWj0W~OdLlgKER9QyVAUXj1H1vf6wws1vZ-lV3II8G565fCL6No~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Mary Bunting and the Hampton Innovation Team outlined a co‑design approach to address public complaints about camping and objectionable behaviors in rights‑of‑way while avoiding measures that would criminalize homelessness.

Background: Council previously considered an ordinance intended to allow police to require people camping on city rights‑of‑way to leave when behavior became problematic. Staff said the draft language mirrored trespass penalties, which could include fines or jail time under public-trespass rules; council members and community speakers voiced concern the draft could be perceived as criminalizing homelessness.

What staff will do: The city manager said staff convened a balanced stakeholder group including representatives from neighborhoods that had complained (business districts such as Phoebus, downtown and Coliseum Central), service providers, and people with lived experience. Staff proposed a facilitated co‑design half‑day session to surface lived experience, brainstorm alternatives and jointly assess options for impact and feasibility. The city’s innovation team member Demi Kalu described the session activities: an anonymous “Walk in My Shoes” exercise, rotating small-group brainstorming stations, and a feasibility/impact matrix to prioritize options.

Timing: City staff asked council to delay ordinance action for 60 to 90 days to allow the stakeholder group to meet and produce recommendations. The city manager said staff will return with a report and revised proposals after the co‑design work; the city will use multiple communications channels to keep the public updated.

Quotes: “How might we address public concerns about safety and cleanliness while upholding the dignity and rights of people experiencing homelessness?” said Demi Kalu, describing the co‑design framing. Kalu, who told council he had personal experience with housing instability, said the co‑design session aims to produce “actionable, humane, and community‑supported alternatives.”

Ending: Council received the update with no ordinance vote; staff will convene the co‑design stakeholder sessions and report back to council when recommendations are ready.","City staff said a stakeholder group representing neighborhoods, businesses, service providers and people with lived experience will meet to co‑design humane alternatives to a proposed ordinance on camping in public rights‑of‑way; staff will delay further ordinance action for 60–90 days.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hampton’s Hopeful Hampton reports declines in shootings and expands youth employment, diversion and relocation services

City staff recommend zoning changes to allow accessory dwelling units, propose owner-occupancy, size and permit rules

Fort Monroe Authority director outlines landscape action plan, funding and design competition

Council votes to convene closed session to discuss appointments and Buckroe-area property

City to convene balanced stakeholder group and co‑design session on public-rights‑of‑way camping and outreach alternatives