Recession’s over, but homeless problem remains

By URIAH KISER

The recession may be officially over, but the homeless problem in Northern Virginia persists.

A new report out Monday declared the recession that has left many out of a job, struggling to pay the bills, ended in June 2009.

But many of those who lost their jobs are still without work, and a surprising number of Americans – 44 million – can’t afford to buy goods to feed their families.

Officials in Woodbridge are aware of the problem, as the area has a large homeless population that utilizes a cooling/warming shelter near a local bus terminal on Potomac Mills Road, and a homeless shelter on U.S. 1.

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“Fundamentally, homelessness is a community-wide issue, not limited to any one government or non-profit organization to address in isolation,” said Woodbridge Supervisor Frank J. Principi.  “Only when all of us work together will be able to put an end to homelessness in our community.”

Of the Northern Virginia localities apart of the Washington Council of Governments, Fairfax has the largest homeless population at 1,544, according to a recent count taken in January.

The number of homeless in Prince William County is smaller, at 488, down 142 from 2009.

While lawmakers in Richmond haven’t been talking much about solving Virginia’s homeless problem, Del. Richard L. Anderson, R-51^st, credits local organizations in Woodbridge that have helped drive down the number of homeless residents.

“I was surprised to see that those numbers have gone down slightly, and it is testament to programs in our area that address the needs of those who are less fortunate,” said Anderson.

Among those programs that have been put in place in Prince William to help the homeless include Catholics for Housing, Volunteers of America, ACTS, and the Northern Virginia Family Service.

Churches in the area have also done their part to help by coordinating community food drives and suppers.

But sometimes it’s not enough.

“Unfortunately, resources are limited and we continue to have to turn away families and children in all the programs,” said Principi.

Counting the homeless

For the past 10 years, enumerators with the Council of Governments have counted the number of homeless in the Washington area, producing a snapshot of the region’s homeless problem.

A large homeless population lives near the junction of Interstate 95 and Dale Boulevard, where enumerators in January visited encampments located in the woods to count those living outside in tents.

In addition to that area, they also counted those across the region living in winter shelters, year-round emergency shelters, transitional and supportive housing, according to documents from the Council of Governments.

Several jurisdictions in Maryland, Virginia and in Washington were canvassed.

Homelessness in Northern Virginia by the numbers:

2006            2007            2008            2009            2010

Alexandria 377               375               348                360               359

Arlington 477               462               410                 511                531

Fairfax 1,766          1,813           1,835           1,730            1,544

Pr. William 498              614               550                630               488

Washington, D.C.     6,157            5,757            6,044            6,228            6,539

Defining homelessness:

Literally homeless – People who reside in some form of emergency or transitional shelters, domestic violence shelters, domestic violence shelters, and places not meant for habitation, which include streets, parks, alleys, abandoned buildings and stairways.

Formerly homeless – People presently living in permanent supportive housing following a period of living on the street or in emergency or transitional shelter.

-Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments