Homelessness In The News
"Housing First" Articles
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Updated July 21, 2008
A mixed income housing development will be built in Springfield, but Springfield officials assured residents that housing the "homeless was never part of the plan." Pat Herrity, the Republican candidate seeking to succeed McConnell, "accused the county of trying to sneak homeless people into the project without the community's input." The Capital Area Food Bank is at the top of the distribution food chain for churches and organizations that help feed the poor in the Washington suburbs. It is part of a broad network of giving throughout Northern Virginia that often goes unnoticed. A new family shelter in western Fairfax County will be opening in August. The shelter is expected to house up to 20 families - or 60 people - for periods ranging from 30-60 days, depending on the circumstances. Currently there are between 60-70 families on the waiting list for a county shelter in Fairfax at all times and it is hoped that the new shelter will improve the situation. Reston Interfaith offered community tours during Affordable Housing Week of the variety of housing it offers to its clients. Organization members also highlighted some of the problems resulting from the lack of affordable housing in the area. The Auckland City Mission has unveiled an audacious plan to house 80 of the estimated 250 to 400 inner-city homeless in a 170-unit apartment development surrounding a new square next to the historic church of St Matthew-in-the-City. If signed, the new funding level would help communities create 15,000 new units of permanent supportive housing and continue working towards ending chronic homelessness in ten years. In addition, it will provide communities with funding for rapid rehousing programs that move families quickly out of shelters and into permanent housing linked to support services. Please write your Senators an encourage them to sign-on to the letter! Their staff can contact Luis Campillo with Senator Reed's office at 202-224-4642, or Jenn Gallaher with Senator Martinez's office at 202-228-6154 by May 14.
Although the long-term fate of the nonprofit remains uncertain, the organization's landlord has agreed to give them time to work out their financial situation, despite threatening to sue last week over months of unpaid rent.
Ambulances in Cleveland regularly drop off homeless people with serious medical issues at local shelters because there is no alternative.
After more than 20 years, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, which serves hundreds of the area's homeless, may be shutting its doors without $120,000 from the County.
Fairfax County works to end the cycle of homelessness.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski and his wife join the nationwide "Food Stamp Challenge" that is gaining momentum throughout the country. The goal of the "project is to walk the proverbial mile in the steps of those who rely on food stamps to feed a family, to kindle awareness and empathy." The Governor and his wife will be limited to spending $3/day on food to match the amount spent by the average food stamp recipient.
Mary Washington professor and students replicate homelessness by living on just $10 for five days and sleeping in the elements. The purpose of the project is to raise money for poor entrepreneurs in developing countries.
The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to convert its abandoned buildings in Los Angeles to permanent housing for homeless veterans.
Teens attacking the homeless man highlights the upswing in violent attacks on the homeless throughout the U.S.
Honolulu forced more than 700 homeless individuals off of a stretch of beach, informing them that over-night camping was no longer permitted.
The National Coalition for the Homeless released a report on America's "couch-homeless," who are also referred to as precariously housed individuals.
FACETS held a forum on housing the homeless on March 19, 2007. More than 90 Fairfax residents came together to discuss different strategies for fighting homelessness.
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) praises a new 20-unit apartment building in New Hampshire for homeless veterans. "Residents will be allowed to stay for up to two years while they receive job training and any needed mental health and substance abuse services."
FACETS and local churches advocate a Housing First model, which would provide homeless single adults with housing. Throughout the winter, FACETS partners with the area's faith communities to run its Hypothermia Prevention Response Program, which provide hot meals and shelter for homeless adults in Fairfax.
A controversy has arisen over a decision by the Office of Personnel Management, which organizes the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) drive. Charities who apply for funds from the CFC will no longer be required to spend less than 25 percent of their revenue on fundraising and other overhead expenses.
The Alexandria Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a congregate housing facility at 115 N. Patrick St. creating the City's first Safe Haven. Alexandria Community Services Board has "identified approximately 35 individuals 'who could benefit from a Safe Haven type of housing program. 'These programs, 'embrace a housing first approach to treating individuals, offering a permanent home as a first priority, and a means to engage residents and assist them organize their lives in order to make additional mental health treatment services available and accessible,' according to the staff report."
For the third year in a row, FACETS and the local faith community have worked together to protect the local homeless population from hypothermia during the winter months. The Hypothermia Prevention Program runs from December through March 31. A groundbreaking survey of homelessness in America found that 704,000 people nationwide sought shelter at least once in a three-month period. HHS estimates that at least 800,000 people are homeless in the United States on any given night and that approximately 2-3 million individuals experience at least one night of homelessness each year. HHS contends that while there are many interventions and services that aid homeless individuals, to permanently end homelessness supportive housing programs are necessary. The Maryland Senate approved a bill on March 6, 2007 that, if approved by the House of Delegates, would make Maryland the second state to protect homeless people under hate crimes laws. Currently, a hate crime is defined as an act of violence that is motivated by race, color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or national origin and violators are subject to additional penalties. After studying the homeless population during a three-month period in 2005, HUD found that single men made up 47 percent of the shelter population, and single females represented 16 percent. |
Copyright © 2006 FACETS, Inc. 10565 Fairfax Blvd., Suite 10 Fairfax, Virginia 22030 Phone (703) 352-5090 Fax (703) 352-5088 Email FACETS@FacetsCares.org |
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 Designate FACETS:United Way #8905, CFC #8905, FCCCC #8905, CVC #3634 |
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