The Fairfax County Veterans and Military Families Commission recently completed a survey to determine the biggest concerns and obstacles facing that population.
The survey, completed in winter 2026, received 476 responses. Some of the key results:
High cost of living in Fairfax County is a top concern, with 90% of respondents saying rent or mortgages are too high and that there are limited affordable housing units were the primary challenge to obtaining affordable housing.
“Many active-duty families experience ‘sticker shock’ when moving to this area and end up having to live much further out than Fairfax County to afford good housing,” one respondent said.
Other key takeaways:
The majority of respondents said they were satisfied with the job public schools do with preparing students for the school year, however FCPS received mixed reviews on support for military-connected families.
Most families did not have an awareness of social support programs in Fairfax County, such as first-time homebuyers’ programs or FCPS free and reduced lunch vouchers.
The needs assessment data is expected to inform the work of the Commission, providing valuable insights into the needs and experiences of veterans and military families in Fairfax County and providing recommendations.
The Fairfax County Veterans and Military Families Commission was created by the Board of Supervisors in March 2024, with the direction to explore and represent issues and challenges faced by the roughly 79,000 veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their families in Fairfax County.
The survey was conducted within the Fairfax County military community as America celebrates its 250th birthday and the lasting impact the military has had on the shaping of our nation, said Veterans and Military Families Coordinator Christopher Pulley.
See the 2026 Military Community At-a-Glance Survey Results and read the commission's Inaugural Report.