Last year, more than 1,300 people in Fairfax County experienced homelessness. Many shared that they felt stuck, alone, or unsure where to turn next. Finding a safe home can feel almost impossible, especially when someone is also experiencing mental health challenges. That is why the Housing First initiative has become such an important source of hope.
Background
Housing First is a statewide effort launched by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Beginning in 2024, Virginia committed to creating 300 Permanent Supportive Housing units in Fairfax County over three years. The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) Permanent Supportive Housing program works in partnership with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA), the Department of Behavioral Health and Disabilities Services, and local nonprofits to make these services available to homeless residents of Fairfax County.
The CSB team helps with referrals, sets up Critical Time Intervention (CTI) services and provides funds to help people get started in their new homes. CTI is an important part of this process because it provides short-term support during major life changes. CTI workers help connect people to community resources and help them stay engaged with their mental health providers so they can build a strong foundation for long-term success. A special part of the CTI team is the Peer Recovery Ally — someone who uses their own lived experience to support others.
Real World Impact
Since the Permanent Supportive Housing expansion’s soft launch in February 2025, the impact has been clear. By April 2026, there were 85 referrals. Twenty-five people have already secured stable housing, and others are moving through the process. These early results show that even in a tight housing market, people can succeed when they have a team walking beside them.
Mike Suppa, Program Manager of the CSB’s Permanent Supportive Housing program shared, “It’s been incredibly powerful to support our community’s most vulnerable individuals and see the smile on their faces when they get a set of keys in their hands.”
Clients say they feel relieved, hopeful and more settled now that they have a place to call home. Many are reconnecting with services and taking steps toward goals they once thought weren’t possible. The program has supported people from many different backgrounds, including veterans, individuals with mental health challenges and people returning to the community after incarceration.
“Our mission is to create housing opportunities that promote inclusive and thriving communities. FCRHA’s receipt of state funding to establish more Permanent Supportive Housing is doing just that, as it provides a foundation upon which individuals experiencing severe mental illness can access the specific health care and basic needs services required to get back on their feet,” said Amy Ginger, Deputy Director, Operations, Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development and FCRHA.
Strategic Plan Connection
The Permanent Supportive Housing program supports CSB’s Strategic Plan Goal 2 by helping people get fair and equal access to safe housing and mental health services. It focuses on people who are experiencing homeless or leaving places like hospitals or jails who often need extra support. By giving them a stable home and ongoing help, the program makes sure they can live safely in the community and get the care they need.
The Permanent Supportive Housing program helps people do more than move into housing. It is helping them build a stable, meaningful life in the community. With continued support, more people in Fairfax County will have the chance to say, “I’m home.”
CSB Resources
Mental health challenges are common, and many people recover with support. If you or someone you care about needs help, the CSB is here to support you.
If you need emotional support, call, text or chat 988 any time, day or night.
To access CSB services, call the Entry, Assessment and Referral Unit at 703-383-8500 TTY 771. They are open Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For emergency mental health or substance use issues, walk-in services are available 24/7 at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health or by calling 703-573-5679 TTY 711.
Contact for media inquiries: CSBCommunications@fairfaxcounty.gov