Homeless Given Deadline To Clear Out Of Reston Tent Encampment

RESTON, VA — On Tuesday, Fairfax County posted notices around the large homeless encampment in Reston telling residents they needed to leave the area by Sept. 10. or face the consequences.

"The premises will b 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."

Currently, there are 13 tents and 17 residents in the encampment, according to the latest numbers from the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority. That's down from almost 50 in March, when hyperthermia shelters around the county close for the season.

"This is an important and necessary step forward towards ultimately building a new homeless shelter with permanent supportive housing in Reston," Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn said, of the decision to post signs and clear the encampment.

RELATED: Temporary Overflow Shelter To Open Next Week In Reston: Fairfax County

Since the property is located within the Reston Town Center North development area, it would have to be cleared anyway once work on that project began. As part of the development, a new, 25,000 square-foot Embry Rucker Shelter would be built, as well as a new Reston Regional Library.

In years past, about half the people who used the hypothermia shelter in Reston were able to find other accommodations once it closed, Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn told Patch in March. The remaining would end up staying in their cars or in tents, individually or in encampments.

In order to give encampment dwellers in Reston a place to go if they had no other alternatives, the county opened a temporary overnight shelter at the Fairfax County Human Services Center at 1850 Cameron Glen Drive.

RELATED: Temporary Overflow Shelter To Open For Reston's Unhoused Residents

" I want to thank our nonprofit partners and county staff for leading with compassion to provide a better sheltering option as we move forward with longer-term housing solutions that address the needs of all residents of Fairfax County," Alcorn said.

Cornerstones, a local nonprofit that advocates for and supports community members in need, operates the temporary shelter, which is open daily from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.

RELATED: Number Of Homeless In Fairfax County Nearly Unchanged: 2024 Count

To inquire about the shelter, call 703-326-6565. If you are unable to reach the onsite staff, contact the Embry Rucker Community Shelter at 703-437-1975 for assistance. Program contact: email Edwina Jackson

FCRHA shared the following resources for anyone who wished to assist a person experiencing homelessness in Fairfax County:

• Contact Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880 TTY 711, Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A Human Services Specialist will identify the family's need, determine eligibility for shelter or other emergency services, and make the necessary referrals.
• Go directly to the nearest family shelter. See the OPEH website for locations.
• People experiencing domestic/sexual violence should contact the Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273, TTY 711.