Chesterfield to open region's first public domestic violence shelter by 2028

Chesterfield County officials announced plans to open the region's first publicly run domestic violence shelter by January 2028, according to WTVR CBS 6. The shelter will be created by transforming an existing building to provide a safe, permanent place for survivors of domestic violence.

The county has recorded more than 8,000 domestic violence-related calls and nearly 2,000 arrests in the past year, highlighting the ongoing need for such a facility. Despite this demand, Chesterfield has lacked a brick-and-mortar shelter dedicated to survivors for roughly 20 years.

Currently, survivors rely on temporary housing options, such as hotel rooms, which are considered insufficient for long-term safety and stability. Lindsay Cassada, coordinator of Chesterfield County's Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center, emphasized that the shelter will fill a critical gap in services.

The Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center has operated for nearly 30 years with a small staff but has not been able to provide shelter. Changes in service providers and funding declines contributed to the absence of a permanent shelter until now.

Officials hope the new shelter will strengthen support for survivors and improve outcomes in the region, marking a significant development in Chesterfield's approach to addressing domestic violence.