Announcements!

Many families living in housing subsidized by Fairfax County taxpayers exceed income caps designed to ensure that only the neediest receive assistance. In extreme cases, Fairfax is subsidizing families making more than six figures each year. (read more)

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, Republican candidate for Supervisor, "accused the county of trying to sneak homeless people into the project without the community's input." (read more)

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. (read more)

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. (read more)

Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Mel Martinez (R-FL) circulated a sign-on letter in support of including $1.8 billion in funding for HUD’s McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Grants program in the fiscal year 2008 appropriations bill, a $358 million increase over last year. (read more)

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. (read more)

Cash-strapped Western Fairfax Christian Ministries nonprofit will not need to immediately close its doors after its landlord, despite being owed three months of back rent, agreed to allow the group time to work out its financial problems. (read more)

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. (read more)

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. (read more)

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to convert its abandoned buildings in Los Angeles to permanent housing for homeless veterans. (read more)

Teens attacking the homeless man highlights the upswing in violent attacks on the homeless throughout the U.S. (read more)

Honolulu forced more than 700 homeless individuals off of a stretch of beach, informing them that over-night camping was no longer permitted. (read more)

The National Coalition for the Homeless released a report on America's "couch-homeless," who are also referred to as precariously housed individuals. (read more)

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. (read more)

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 provides hot meals and shelter for homeless adults in Fairfax. (read more)

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. (read more)

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. (read more)

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 provides bus transportation for clients to the shelter, a part-time nurse practitioner, mental health and substance abuse therapists, security and a medical van in case of a medical emergency. (read more)

A groundbreaking survey of homelessness in America found that 704,000 people nationwide sought shelter at least once in a three-month period. (read more)

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. (read more)

The Senate approved a bill that would make Maryland the second state to add homeless people to the groups protected under hate crimes laws. (read more)

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. (read more)