County seeks public input on use of federal funds for the homeless
Fairfax County has received a $7.88 million federal grant to address homelessness and is seeking public input on how to use it.
The funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Home Investment Partnerships Program – American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP).
Members of the public are invited to participate in a virtual public hearing on Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m., to offer recommendations for using these funds. Access the meeting on Microsoft Teams here or call +1 571-429-5982, PIN: 995038792#.
To speak at the public hearing, contact Malia Stroble at [email protected] or 703-246-5170. Submit written comments to [email protected] by 4 p.m. on Jan. 10.
HOME-ARP funds can be used for:
• The development and support of affordable housing,
• Tenant-based rental assistance,
• Supportive services, and
• Acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units.
Qualifying populations to be served under HOME-ARP include:
- The homeless,
- Those at risk of homelessness,
- Individuals fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, and
- Families requiring services to prevent homelessness or who are at great risk of housing instability.
Fairfax County is proposing just over a third of its funds be used for the development of affordable rental housing. About 27 percent would be allocated to supportive services and another 27 percent to non-congregate shelters.
Use it to hire more police to force them back to DC where they belong
Well, at least your user name is accurate.
I feel very bad for your kids
I feel bad for you. You enable the misery of your “homeless friend” – while trying to make yourself feel better by giving a couple of dollars and some overpriced raw fish to him.
I teach my children that it is not right to give to panhandlers & homeless as it only encourages more of the same. The better approach is help via centers, church/ charity groups. I also point out that our tax dollars (as this story demonstrates) go to helping folks.
Trick is, people have to want to return to productive self sufficient state, and many individuals have greater needs to do so than a few dollars (specifically mental challenges, substance abuse, etc.).
LOL you know nothing. I have helped this man in numerous ways the message was only a tribute as I have actually helped him into more and more ways to get him off the street and into a working home, right now me and a couple of other friends are helping him into a apartment and giving him a fresh start hes been in a lot of rehab, and many other shelters and now after about 2 years now hes working. i rarely see him on the street now but when i see him in his tent it dosen’t bother me to stop by and have a long chat with him sometimes in a point of life someone just needs company. helping others is not a problem at ALL if you think encouraging others not to help and let HUMANS suffer then you are completely wrong and are certainly the problem.
If the additional context provided is accurate for this apparently now homed person, then I applaud your efforts. You have clearly gone above what is required & what most people do. However, it still doesn’t change the fact that giving a few dollars and food is not the correct or better way to help the majority of homeless individuals & that it encourages more of that.
Two guiding principles- 1st is self responsibility and reliance. Reliance comes more naturally but self responsibility is much harder. There will always be consequences for any choice, how and what is your freedom of will and choice. Once you (individually) determine you have some means then 2nd principle – help others.
I don’t advocate suffering but it occurs for many reasons and can be a strong teacher that leads to positive change.
Don’t. They’re extremely happy and well adjusted.
Shut up Nimby Neil tbh get off this blog your nickname sucks too
I got a homeless buddy on Heritage Drive in Annandale in the Wedgewood and Avant’s side where all the apartments are dude is so nice one time I brought some sushi, came down town just to have a chat with him always give him the change and a couple dollars anytime I pass through those crossroads.
Shoutout Adam, hopefully this will effect him positively in someway.
I did not know about that homeless location. That may explain why our (normally locked doors) at Our condo nearby had a homeless woman sleeping in one of our hallways last week. She didn’t say much, did help her with food and shelter for the day.Very uncomfortable/scary and sad.. Yes, past few months, there have been individuals on the route 7 and Patrick Henry asking for money. I have lived in this area for over twenty years and have never seen that at this location. Myself and others feel Mason is letting Seven Corners area become a dumping area. Not happy at all, we will be looking to buy elsewhere. Hm the Church is having “housing built-Wesley-I believe”-will end up low income probably. Then construction at Patrick and Seven “family housing”. What happened to the previous five year plan-in the formerly Sears area-oh, a few town houses and retail-not happening. Possibly would have helped with the value of our property. And “poor Seven Corners shopping area” and I mean “poor” — Saul obviously doesn’t care about “us”. They got rid of the last “good “ restaurant there raising the rent – something like Dogfish Grill-sorry I don’t recall their exact name-very good and GONE! Very SAD what is happening to this part of route 7. One investor told me once that Mason does not want the area to grow. Never felt that Barcroft Lake Area would be going downhill so much – I pray it doesn’t hit the slum level. I feel so badly for our Police and Firefighters-truly scary to be in their field and I understand the shortages, terrible.
The state of this area is tragic and 100% self-imposed. Our “progressive” electorate is turning Nova into California. Look no further that some of the commenters on this website who- in the past year or two- have gone from average bleeding hearts- to spiking friends and family members food with ground crickets for sustainable protein to save the environment. I drive down my street and about 50 houses have virtue signal signs that change in unison every couple months. I’m no Elon Musk fan but I agree with him that “woke” is a mind virus. And there are dire consequences of “woke” policies and government representatives. Some of the consequences include an explosion of low income housing and reduced enforcement of things like homeless people literally standing in the middle of Patrick Henry and 50 panhandling at red lights. In the middle of the road, at night. Can you imagine that type of thing being acceptable even 2 years ago? It will only get worse, so from my family to yours… prepare. Merry Christmas!
Excellent and true factual post!
I support using this funding for “Families requiring services to prevent homelessness or who are at great risk of housing instability.”
I’ve seen this help low income working families in Annandale recover from economic downturn & other events beyond their control; which has allowed them to return to a better state.
Keep funding homeless (read bogus solutions) and homelessness will increase…funds should be used for those working that were laid off or recently lost a job etc…stop raising the minimum wage – the minimum wage is not meant to sustain a family…the minimum wage is used for entry level/part time work – mandatory work if receiving government assistance including homeless money – many homeless need mental health help and a shelter – the majority of homeless choose to be homeless (stop lying people that the aforementioned statement is not true)…
Oh…how about another million to change the names of street signs because they offend “NOBODY”