2012 Saw 6% Increase in Number of Arlington Shelter Users

Length of time in shelter dips 28%
47 at-risk persons placed in permanent housing
Board receives annual report of 10 year Plan to End Homelessness

ARLINGTON, VA – January 30, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The number of people served in Arlington homeless shelters rose 6% in 2012, but the average length of time a person stayed in shelter decreased 28%. The biggest improvement was in housing homeless families, where the average length of stay fell from 5.4 months to 3 months.

These and other findings were announced today by leaders of Arlington’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness , as part of the group’s annual report to the Arlington County Board. The 2012 report highlighted the efforts of Arlington’s Continuum of Care, which is the network of County and community programs and services directed at preventing and ending homelessness.

“Arlington is serious about ending homelessness in our community,” said Arlington County Board Chairman J. Walter Tejada. “The goal of the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness is that no individual or family lack access to decent, affordable housing. That is a tall order in these troubled economic times, but  this report, the progress we are making in housing Arlington’s  most-at-risk homeless persons who were identified last year, and the County’s many programs aimed at getting those in need into housing shows that we intend to meet that goal.”

Arlington services making a difference
“Homelessness continues to be a challenge in Arlington, as it is across the country,” 10 Year Plan Co-Chair, David Leibson, told the Board. “Arlington’s commitment to preventing homelessness, rapidly re-housing those who do become homeless, and providing ongoing support services to help people maintain housing, is making a difference. The gains we are seeing are a testament to the excellent work of our non-profit partners and a caring, committed community.”

In Arlington, 708 individuals were served in homeless shelters at some time in 2012 – a 6% increase over 2011. The annual point-in-time count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people, conducted in January of each year, dropped 2%, from 461 in 2011 to 451 in 2012.

100 Homes for 100 Homeless Arlingtonians
The 100 Homes Campaign  – focused on housing the community’s most vulnerable, chronically homeless individuals – made significant progress in 2012. By year-end, 47 people who were at risk of dying on the street were placed in permanent housing, an average of four a month.

“We have been able to take advantage of County programs such as Housing Grants, Permanent Supportive Housing , and Homelessness Prevention  and Rapid Re-Housing  to help at-risk people identified through 100 Homes,” said Leibson. “Without these resources, and others such as Housing Choice Vouchers , veterans’ housing programs, and the Mary Marshall Assisted Living Residence,  we would be telling a very different story today.”

County funding critical
Leibson said the 10 Year Plan group plans to continue to focus on achieving goals such as  increasing the number of Permanent Supportive Housing units and housing those identified through 100 Homes. “With federal and state budgets at risk, County funding for supportive services, rental assistance and the Affordable Housing Investment Fund is critical,” he said.  “Additionally, designs and the use permit for our year-round homeless services center have to be finalized; renovations of the building have to be completed; and funding for operations has to be identified.”

Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the “10 miles square” parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation’s Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency’s highest award for “Smart Growth” in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world – including the Pentagon – Arlington stands out as one of America’s preeminent places to live, visit and do business.

Media Contacts
Kurt Larrick
703-228-1775 (voice)
klarrick (at) arlingtonva (dot) us