Number Of Homeless People Rises In Fairfax County: Report

FAIRFAX, VA—Homelessness is down in the DC region overall, although the number of homeless in Fairfax County increased, according to a new report from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

The Homelessness in Metropolitan Washington report takes a one-day, point-in-time count of residents experiencing homelessness. Nine jurisdictions participate: the city of Alexandria, Arlington County, the District of Columbia, Fairfax County (includes data from the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax) Frederick City and County, Md., Loudoun County, Montgomery County, Md. Prince George’s County, Md. (includes data from the city of Bowie) and Prince William County (includes data from the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park).

In Fairfax County, the 2019 point-in-time count recorded 1,034 homeless people, up from 987 in 2018. The number is still lower than the 1,204 recorded in 2015. Overall the number of homeless people has decreased by 170 over the past five years.

Fairfax County, the most populous county in Virginia, was second only to Washington, DC for the highest number of homeless in the region. Washington, DC saw a significant drop from 6,904 to 6,521 homeless people. In Virginia, Alexandria, Arlington County and Prince William County saw declines while Loudoun County saw an increase.

The 9,794 people experiencing homelessness in the DC region is the lowest since the point-in-time count began in 2001. There has also been progress of formerly homeless people who have secured permanent housing. In 2019, 1,290 more people were in permanent housing than in 2018. The number of formerly homeless people for the region is 23,172.

According to the Council of Governments, the DC region faces a number of challenges tied to homelessness: high rents, wages not keeping pace with housing costs and an insufficient supply of permanent, affordable housing. Fairfax County's newly-approved budget adds an extra $5 million for affordable housing initiatives, The Washington Post reported.

Fairfax County has six emergency shelters and a winter hypothermia prevention program. Residents can help the homeless by donating or volunteering. Contact the county's non-profit partners that run services for the homeless for more information.