DECEMBER 2020 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.

COVID-19 UPDATES

Thanks to the ongoing dedication of numerous partners, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness has continued to address the needs of those at risk of and experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Temporary Shelter Available During COVID-19: More than 900 people have transitioned into Quarantine, Protection, Isolation, and Decompression (QPID) Hotels since April 16th with locations operating across Fairfax County. The QPID Hotels are managed by several non-profit partners, including Cornerstones, FACETS, New Hope Housing, and Shelter House. Northern Virginia Family Service operates a Central Intake to triage referrals to the QPID Hotels.
   
• COVID-19: Federal Eviction Moratorium in Effect: On September 4, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a federal order to suspend certain residential evictions through December 31, 2020. The order cites the public health risks associated with COVID-19 and halts residential evictions for renters who meet eligibility criteria. Details of the moratorium are explained in a Frequently Asked Questions document posted online.
  
  COVID-19: Rental Assistance
   
  • Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP): CSP remains the best resource for residents seeking assistance to help pay rent and utilities, securing housing, accessing food, obtaining prescriptions, and meeting other basic needs.
    Call 703-222-0880
    Monday thru Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    NOTE: CSP is experiencing a high volume of calls – especially on Mondays and Fridays. Callers should expect a wait of approximately 30 minutes, but help will be provided.
     
  • Virginia Housing Resources: The Commonwealth of Virginia has a variety of housing information and resources available for renters, homeowners, landlords and more at www.StayHomeVirginia.com.
     
• Accessing Legal Advice
  
  The Department of Housing and Community Development cannot provide legal counsel to County residents. We encourage those in need of legal assistance to utilize the following resources:
   
  • Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV): LSNV provides free legal assistance in a wide variety of legal practice areas – including child advocacy, public benefits and housing. Call 703-778-6800 or visit www.lsnv.org for assistance.
     
  • Virginia Legal Aid: Are you in need of legal assistance? www.VaLegalAid.org offers qualifying residents access to a network of legal professionals offering a variety of legal services in numerous practice area. If you have questions about eligibility, please call 1-866-534-5243.

Thank you to the many providers that are serving people in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each and every one of you are sincerely appreciated.

PARTNERSHIP UPDATES

• Hypothermia Prevention Program: On November 17, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors held a Public Hearing to receive comments from the community on an emergency ordinance, previously approved by the Board on October 6,, which temporarily authorized the establishment of several county-operated hypothermia prevention shelters to serve individuals experiencing homelessness during the harsh winter months ahead. The measure ensures the necessary resources are in place to provide safe, warm locations for the County’s most vulnerable residents to seek shelter from the cold. With no comments, the ordinance was once again approved by the Board. The confirmed sites will be open 24/7 from the evening of December 1 through the morning of April 1. More information on the Hypothermia Prevention Program can be found here.

• Point in Time (PIT) and Housing Inventory (HIC) Counts will take place January 27, 2021: The PIT and HIC Counts are annual events, mandated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), that tally the number of people experiencing homelessness on a given night, as well as the number of beds available for individuals experiencing, and that have experienced, homelessness.

• Longitudinal Systems Analysis: OPEH is in process of preparing the Longitudinal System Analysis (LSA) report, which is produced from HMIS, and provides HUD and Continuums of Care (CoCs) with critical information about how people experiencing homelessness use their system of care. The report includes demographics, length of time homeless, destinations, and returns to homelessness for all people served in HMIS over the federal fiscal year (October 1 – September 30). Providers utilizing HMIS may be contacted to support this process; OPEH is requesting a prompt turn around on all data cleanup requests pertaining to the LSA.

• Bridging Affordability Program Transitioning to OPEH Management: Created in June 2011, the Bridging Affordability program was designed as a gateway program to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness by providing local rental subsidies and case management services to connect them to supportive services (education, employment, childcare and life skills).

  Beginning on January 1, 2021, the Bridging Affordability Program will be transitioning from the Rental Assistance Division to OPEH. The program will continue to be managed by Jon Miskell who will be joining OPEH. ​

• Chris Leonard to Succeed Tisha Deeghan as Deputy County Executive: At its meeting on November 17, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed Chris Leonard to succeed Tisha Deeghan as Deputy County Executive for Health, Housing and Human Services, effective January 2, 2021. Since 2010, Leonard has served as director of Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services.

• NLIHC’s Memo to the President-Elect Biden Transition Team: The National Low Income Housing Coalitions released a memorandum for the transition team for President Elect Joe Biden, outlining how they hope the incoming administration will address homelessness.

FUNDING INFORMATION

• Virginia Housing Homeless Assistance Grant – 2021 Don Ritenour Charity Golf Classic: The Virginia Housing Homeless Assistance Grant provides funding for agencies that serve families and individuals that are experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence as described in the HEARTH Act, and provides emergency shelter and/or permanent supportive housing services. Applications can be submitted through Virginia Housing’s Grants Management System. Applications are due January 15, 2021.

• Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Bill Shows Small Increases in HUD and USDA Housing Programs: The proposed THUD Bill provides modest increases in funding. It will also maintain the Housing First model for HUD funded projects.

• Housing Trust Fund – Homeless Reduction Grant – The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development is accepting applications for the Housing Trust Fund – Homeless Reduction Grant. Applicants that are in need of a Letter of Support from the Continuum of Care as part of the application process should contact jamie.ergas@fairfaxcounty.gov by December 5, 2020. Applications are due December 7, 2020.