Call Out To Help 3 Elderly Residents Of Reston Homeless Encampment

RESTON, VA — A local advocacy group is calling on the community to contact the Hunter Mill District supervisor's office on behalf of three elderly residents who have been told by the county they have just one week to vacate the homeless encampment on a hill near the Fairfax County Human Services Center in Reston.

"All three seniors have strong ties to Reston including their medical network," Restonstrong said, in a release sent to Patch on Tuesday. "Restonstrong is not able to provide them with a short term solutions because it will disqualify their chronically homeless status, which they need to qualify for long term housing."

On Aug. 27, Fairfax County posted notices around the encampment, telling residents they needed to leave the area by Sept. 10. or face the consequences.

"The premises will be cleaned on Sep 10th. All belongings must be removed," the notice read. "Any property remaining on Sep 10th will be considered abandoned and will be discarded."

Related: Homeless Given Deadline To Clear Out Of Reston Tent Encampment

For the last year and a half, Restonstrong has been working with the county on ensuring there was a smooth transition for the residents of the "Hill." This included attending bimonthly meetings with the Office of Preventing and Ending Homelessness, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn's office and the Cornerstones Outreach team. However, the nonprofit says that the following three residents of the Hill are unlikely to find housing by the Sept. 10 deadline:

• One is an elderly African American woman who has called Reston home since 1998.
• Another is a Caucasian gentleman who has lived in Reston for 44 years and was brought to the shelter by his church, but was referred to Restonstrong for a tent due to lack of space almost a year ago.
• Third is a Caucasian gentleman and local artist. Sadly, his social security has not been enough to cover rent due to the rising cost of living.

"We are asking our fellow Restonians to reach out to Supervisor Alcorn’s office at huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov to advocate for these 3 elderly Hill residents," Restonstrong said in its release. Anyone who wishes to volunteer through Sept. 10 is invited to visit www.restonstrong.com for more details.

The following is the full text of Restonstrong's release:

Reston, VA - As the closure of the Hill looms on September 10, Restonstrong has continued to advocate for the importance of a smooth transition in current living arrangements for our unhoused neighbors. After actively participating in bimonthly meetings with the County’s Office of Preventing and Ending Homelessness, The Hunter Mill Supervisors office and Cornerstones Outreach team for the past year and a half, we cautiously celebrated the opening of the temporary overnight shelter last month which will meet the needs of many displaced at the end of hypothermia.

Various suggestions are being made to the county and the county’s service provider about how to best meet the needs of our neighbors in tents while being mindful of the cost associated for taxpayers. For starters, we have asked for a transparent budget breakdown through the Supervisor’s office of the $1.4 million investment.

The TOS has its limitations and doesn’t address the needs of several long term residents of the hill. Specifically, there are 3 elderly individuals with longstanding ties to Reston who remain on the Hill who are unlikely to be placed into housing by September 10.

- One is an elderly African American woman who has called Reston home since 1998.

- Another is a Caucasian gentleman who has lived in Reston for 44 years and was brought to the shelter by his church, but was referred to Restonstrong for a tent due to lack of space almost a year ago.

- Third is a Caucasian gentleman and local artist. Sadly, his social security has not been enough to cover rent due to the rising cost of living.

All three seniors have strong ties to Reston including their medical network. Restonstrong is not able to provide them with a short term solutions because it will disqualify their chronically homeless status, which they need to qualify for long term housing. We are asking our fellow Restonians to reach out to Supervisor Alcorn’s office at huntermill@fairfaxcounty.govto advocate for these 3 elderly Hill residents.

Volunteers who are willing and able to help are needed now through September 10th. Please reach out on our website www.restonstrong.com.In Solidarity, Restonstrong