FEBRUARY 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.
 

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.

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.

• Temporary Shelter Available During COVID-19: More than 1,200 people have transitioned into Quarantine, Protection, Isolation, and Decompression (QPID) Hotels since April 16, 2020 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 (703-267-3511) to triage referrals to the QPID Hotels. Fairfax County released a video to provide information on how to access temporary shelter.
   
• Eviction Prevention: Fairfax County created the Eviction Prevention Task Force to coordinate a countywide approach to provide resources and assistance to vulnerable residents.

  • An Eviction Webpage was launched that provides numerous resources including basic needs assistance, information about the eviction process, tenant rights, financial and medical assistance, emergency shelter, legal services and more.

  • An Eviction Dashboard was developed to identify areas of the county where residents are most at risk of being evicted because of economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The eviction data provided within the dashboard displays writs of eviction and unlawful detainers issued by the Fairfax County General District Court.

• Eviction Moratorium: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the current federal order temporarily halting residential evictions until at least March 31, 2021.
   
• COVID-19 Vaccination: For information on the COVID-19 Vaccine and its administration locally, please visit Fairfax County’s Vaccine Website. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Housing and Urban Development have published the following flyers regarding the COVID-19 vaccine:
  • Why Get Vaccinated?
  • Flyer for People Experiencing Homelessness
  • Flyer for Front Line Workers

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

• HUD CoC Competition: On January 29, 2021, HUD released a non-competitive Funding Notice, which established the funding criteria and awards for the FY2020 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 requires HUD to publish a Notice that identifies and lists all projects and award amounts eligible for non-competitive renewal funding, with adjustments to the renewal amount based on changes to the Fair Market Rent. A full list of the awards for existing HUD CoC renewal projects can be found here.
   
• Point in Time Count: On January 27, 2021, non-profit partners, county partners, and volunteers conducted the annual Point in Time Count, identifying individuals and families experiencing literal homeless – those in shelters, in time-limited transitional housing programs, as well as those who are unsheltered and living on the street. Thank you to those who contributed to this important data collection process.
   
• Hypothermia Prevention Program: The Hypothermia Prevention Program expands shelter capacity for individuals experiencing homelessness during the winter months. The program provides warm shelter, food and other supportive services to connect guests to a variety of basic needs to include clothing, employment, housing and more. Individual sites will have capacity limitations due to social distancing, but staff will work to ensure that everyone has access to accommodations at one of the county’s shelter locations. Sites are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week December 1, 2020 through April 1, 2021.

• Fight Hunger in our Neighborhoods | Help Stuff the Bus: Stuff the Bus is working to meet the increased demand for food due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday, February 6, from 10 am to 3 pm, buses will be parked at locations throughout Fairfax County to collect nonperishable food donations for area food pantries. Online donation options are also available.

FUNDING INFORMATION

• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): The Department of Veterans' Affairs has released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program to begin in October 2021. Only eligible entities, that are existing grantees previously awarded grants stemming from the SSVF NOFA published on December 5, 2019, can apply in response to this NOFA. Applications are due by February 5, 2021.

• FY 2020 Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: The Department of Housing and Urban Development has released a NOFA, Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program, which provides Capital Advance funding for the development of supportive rental housing for Very-Low-Income persons aged 62 years or older and project rental subsidies in the form of a Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) to maintain ongoing affordability. Applications are due by May 26, 2021.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

• Trauma Awareness 101
  February 17th | 6p
  This training is intended front line and support staff who work directly with clients. The training will focus on how to recognize signs of trauma, the effects of trauma, and your role in working with people impacted by trauma.
   
• Motivational Interviewing
  February 18th | 3:30p
  March 1st | 3:30p
  March 23rd | 3:30p
  March 31st | 3:30p
  Attendees will be introduced to the concept of Motivational Interviewing and given valuable techniques and skills to motivate and support people experiencing homelessness.
   
• Ending Homelessness: A Virtual Conference
  March 8th – 10th   
  The National Alliance to End Homelessness’ Virtual Conference will cover how to do more of what works, address emerging challenges, and find innovative new ways to solve problems.  Workshops and plenaries have been developed in concert with people who have experienced homelessness, and with a focus on race and equity.  They will cover a broad range of subpopulations, issues, and solutions – both with proven strategies and new innovations. 
   
• Elevate the Affordable Housing Conversation in Fairfax County
  March 10th | 9a – 4p
  The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority and The George Mason University School of Business are partnering to host the 2021 Fairfax County Housing Symposium. The Housing Symposium will bring together local leaders, members of the business community, educators, healthcare professionals, housing industry and policy experts, advocates, and neighbors as we elevate the conversation on affordable housing in Fairfax County.
   
• National Low Income Housing Coalition’s (NLIHC) Virtual Housing Policy Forum 2021
  March 30th – 31st | 1p – 5p
  The forum will feature keynote speakers and panels on Racial Equity and Housing Justice; Coronavirus, Housing and Homelessness: The Current State of Play; State and Local Emergency Rental Assistance Programs; Achieving a Housing Entitlement; What the Election Means for Affordable Housing/Capitol Hill Insiders Panel; Best Practices in Organizing; and more.