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TextHomelessness In Our Community
Threats of severe temperatures and hunger —
that’s what more than 1,700 children, women and men may face again
today. Homelessness is a real problem in the Fairfax County-Falls Church
community.
Majority of the homeless are families and many work
full time
The majority of people without homes in our community are children
and working families:
- Close to 60 percent of homeless persons are in families.
- More than 75 percent of children in homeless families are under the age of 11.
- Nearly 60 percent adults in homeless families work.
These numbers come from an annual Fairfax-Falls Church community survey.
This Point-in-Time survey will give you a comprehensive look on the
homeless population in our community. Read the 2012 Point-in-Time Count.
We are home to the second largest number of people
without homes
It might surprise you, but the second largest number of people who are
homeless in our region live in the Fairfax-Falls Church community. Only
in Washington, D.C., are there more people without homes.
Lack of affordable housing is the main cause of
homelessness
Low incomes and expensive housing are the main reasons for
homelessness in our community. It is impossible to pay for an apartment
when earning minimum wage — even if you work 24 hours per day, 7 days a
week:
- Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,134.
- A family must earn $22.25 an hour to afford a one-bedroom apartment.
- 82 percent of homeless families earn less than $14.24 an hour.
Violence against women and poor health are also
reasons
The Point-in-Time survey on homelessness says:
- Close to 45 percent of persons in families are homeless due to incidents of domestic violence.
- Close to 65 percent of single individuals who are homeless suffer from serious mental illness and/or substance abuse, and many have chronic health problems and/or physical disabilities.
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