NOVEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

The Office to Prevent and End Homelessness – now part of the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development – is committed to eliminating the disproportionality of people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness from communities of color and other marginalized populations by providing equitable paths to safe, stable, affordable housing.

PARTNERSHIP UPDATES

• FY2021 HUD Continuum of Care Competition: The CoC’s Consolidated Application, including the CoC Application, which reflects the work of the entire homeless services system, and the CoC Priority Listing, which is the list of all project applications included in the CoC’s submission, is now available at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless/continuum-care. Comments should be submitted to jamie.ergas@fairfaxcounty.gov by November 8, 2021. The CoC Application will be submitted prior to close of the competition on November 16th. The CoC is applying for $10,747,930, which includes $9,238,151 in renewal funding to support 19 existing permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing projects, $461,908 in Bonus funding for two new permanent supportive housing projects, $770,726 in Domestic Violence Bonus funding for a new rapid rehousing project, and $277,145 for a Planning Grant.
   
• Continuum of Care Committee: The Continuum of Care (CoC) Committee, the governance of the CoC, met on October 13th and approved the Bylaws and CoC Operations policy. The finalized policies and meeting minutes can be found at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless/coccommittee.
   
• Hypothermia Prevention Program: The Hypothermia Prevention Program expands shelter capacity each winter for individuals experiencing homelessness through overflow space at existing shelters and auxiliary off-site programs hosted largely in partnership with faith communities. The Hypothermia Prevention Program officially starts on December 1 and concludes the morning of April 1. More information on the dates and locations will be shared soon at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless.
   
• Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness: The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) is in the process of creating a new Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. The federal strategic plan will help communities leverage the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to not only respond to the immediate needs of the pandemic but also invest in long-term solutions to homelessness. Comments can be submitted online at usich.gov/fsp until November 30, 2021.
   
• The Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Advisory Committee will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at 7 p.m., to receive public input on the Community Consolidated Funding Pool One-Year Action Plan, the Citizen Participation Plan, and the needs that need to be considered and addressed in the FY 2023 One-Year Action Plan. The CCFAC is interested in hearing from ALL residents, including those who need, or are receiving affordable housing and/or other human services assistance. See the complete public notice online at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/housing/news/2021/notice-of-public-hearing-ccfac

COVID-19 UPDATES

Individuals 65 and older, as well as those aged 18-64 who work or live in homeless shelters and who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, are among those eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series. For more information on the CDC’s expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine booster, visit https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html. Information on where to get a booster dose can be found at COVID-19 Booster Shots - Fairfax County Emergency Information.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• Consolidated Community Funding Pool: The Consolidated Community Fund Pool (CCFP) Funding Application Package RFP# 2000003360 and RFP# 2000003361 is now available. The CCFP is a competitive funding process for human services programs developed and administered by nonprofits and community-based organizations. Proposals must be received electronically through Fairfax County’s online Procurement Portal on or before the submission deadline. Submissions will only be accepted through the portal. Fairfax County will not accept proposals submitted by paper, telephone, facsimile (“FAX”) transmission, or electronic mail (i.e., e-mail) in response to this RFP. Proposals must be received no later than 2 p.m. on December 2, 2021.
   
• Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services: DBHDS is seeking experienced providers to deliver supportive services to individuals with a serious mental illness or developmental disability who live in certain Low Income Housing Tax Credit properties. Applicants must meet the criteria specified in the RFP, including submission of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the LIHTC owner. The RFP includes information on a pre-proposal conference and contact information for DBHDS's Procurement Office. Proposals are due December 9, 2021.
   
• Virginia Housing Homeless Assistance Grant – FY22 Don Ritenour Charity Golf Classic: The intent of the Virginia Housing Homeless Assistance Grant is to fund organizations that primarily serve families and individuals experiencing homelessness, individuals fleeing domestic violence as described in the HEARTH Act, and provide emergency shelter and/or permanent supporting housing services. Grant funds should be used to supplement an organization’s program, not be the sole source of funding. The period of performance for this funding opportunity is July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023. Proposed budgets must be in the amount of $20,000. Organizations seeking funding should apply to Virginia Housing’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) using Virginia Housing’s Grants Management System at https://vhdagrants.com/. For questions concerning this program or assistance with application submission, contact Sue Armstrong, Strategic Housing Officer, at 804-343-5550. The application is due January 15, 2022.

DATA SPOTLIGHT

The Fairfax CoC joined the Built for Zero initiative in 2019 to address veteran and chronic homelessness and has since expanded the approach to include more populations experiencing homelessness. The Built for Zero dashboard captures the system inflow and outflow on a monthly basis for families and single adults, as well as subpopulations, such as those experiencing chronic homelessness and veterans. As Veteran’s Day is approaching, the CoC is celebrating that 35 veterans that had been experiencing homelessness exited into permanent housing so far in 2021, with many more engaging in housing-focused case management and working on housing goals. Successes such as this contribute to the CoC’s goal of ending veteran homelessness.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Please register for the following trainings if you have an interest in attending. By registering, we will be able to inform you of any adjustments or cancelations due to COVID-19.

• DV101: Understanding Domestic Violence for Homeless Service Providers
  November 8, 2021
  Attendees will learn about the dynamics of domestic violence, how to recognize the different ways violence can manifest, understand barriers to leaving abusive relationships, how to support someone in a violent relationship, and how to work with DV clients to create a safety plan.

• Narcan and Overdose Prevention Training
  November 10, 2021
  The Fairfax/Falls Church CSB Wellness, Health Promotion & Prevention Team will be facilitating this training for those working in Homeless Services and Housing. The training provides an overview of what to do and what not to do in an overdose situation, how to administer naloxone, and what to do afterwards.

• Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference (cost associated)
  November 10-12, 2021
  Virtual or in-person at Norfolk Waterside Marriot, Norfolk, Virginia
  Virginia's largest housing and community development event connects Virginia's affordable housing providers with funders, lenders, realtors, nonprofits, public officials and resources to improve housing in Virginia's communities. 

• Sexual Harassment
  Mon, Nov. 15, 2021
  10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  Sexual harassment can include a wide range of unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature, and can occur in a workplace, learning or housing situation. The speaker will address how to be aware of and respond to sexual harassment, whether you are a victim, witness, or advocate. This presentation will enable participants to raise awareness and decrease tolerance for sexual harassment.