JANUARY 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.

• Temporary Shelter Available During COVID-19: More than 1,050 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.
   
• 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.
     
  • Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP): As of December 15, 2020, the Rent and Mortgage Relief Program is being administered through a State-wide Call Center. Persons in need of Rent or Mortgage Relief can be directed to 703-962-1884 or initiate a new application through the online portal. Landlords and property managers can continue to apply for the benefit on behalf of tenants by contacting Virginia Housing.
     
• COVID-19 Vaccination for People Experiencing Homelessness: Public health professionals at state and local health departments have developed plans for administering COVID-19 vaccines in a fair, ethical, and transparent way for additional groups, including considerations for people experiencing homelessness. Currently, the vaccine is being administered to healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents. For information on the vaccine and its administration locally, please visit Fairfax County’s Vaccine Website. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published Frequently Asked Questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination for people experiencing homelessness.
   
• Accessing Legal Advice: Those in need of legal assistance are encouraged to seek assistance through resources such as Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) or Virginia Legal Aid.
   
• Omnibus Appropriations Bill: The “omnibus” included all the regular discretionary spending bills for FY 2021, about $900 billion in emergency coronavirus relief spending, as well as additional pieces of legislation. The National Alliance to End Homelessness developed a summary of what the federal emergency coronavirus relief spending means for homelessness, including impacts to emergency and regular funding. The National Low Income Housing Coalition also produced a summary of the impacts on rental assistance, homelessness, and other housing programs. The full bill can be found here.

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: 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.

• Point in Time Count: The Point in Time (PIT) and Housing Inventory Counts (HIC) 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.

• HUD CoC Competition: The Omnibus Appropriations Bill notes that HUD will release FY 2020 Continuum of Care (CoC) funds necessary to renew the previous year’s grants, without the usual competition. A competitive Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) may be released for new funding opportunities.

• One-Bedroom Apartments available for Immediate Lease at Murraygate Village (Alexandria): This newly renovated development is located along Richmond Highway – conveniently located near public transportation, shopping, schools, medical care, and includes a number of community amenities. No Rent Payments Until February 2021. This is a great housing option for individuals or couples who are in need of an affordable home in a major activity center in Fairfax County – minimum and maximum income limits apply. For complete details, please visit https://bit.ly/LeaseMurraygate2020.

DATA SPOTLIGHT

HUD has published Continuum of Care (CoC) Performance Profile Reports. This provides a snapshot of a CoC’s performance in addressing homelessness using performance indicators such as the length of time persons have been homeless, returns to homelessness over time, and exits to permanent housing.

FUNDING INFORMATION

• Virginia Housing Homeless Assistance Grant: 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.

• Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot (VERP) Program: The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VA DHCD) is now accepting applications for the implementation of the Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot (VERP) Program. In 2020, the General Assembly allocated $3.3 million for this initiative. VA DHCD will allocate $3 million of these funds to up to seven grantees to provide direct prevention and diversion assistance from February 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. Applications are due by January 8, 2021.

• 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.