Prince William County Homeless Population Higher than 2010

The total number of  homeless individuals counted in just one day in the Prince William County region was 675, according to a report released this month.

That's up 38 percent from the previous year. The number of homeless families across the region increased by six percent.

Every year, in January, the Prince William County Continuum Care Network  is required by  Housing and Uburan Development (HUD) to come come up with a comprehensive 10-year plan to prevent, reduce and eliminate homelessness by providing affordable housing. The construction of the plan is a partnership between local businesses, government, and nonprofit and faith-base organizations.

Manassas City council members heard from Continuum members at the April 11 regularly-scheduled meeting. The council was asked to support the 10-year plan and its four areas of execution: prevention, supportive services, employment and housing.

According to the network members,  adopting and implementing the plan will ensure that certain funding sources will continue to be available to prevent and end homelessness.  For example, funding received from HUD’s Continuum of Care (COC) award in 2009 totaled $680,000.  These funds provide services to individuals and families who experience homelessness.  In addition, these programs receive an additional $300,000 from the State to provide much needed support services.

Some of the problems facing homeless men, women and children are a lack of affrodable housing and that 5.3 percent of Prince William County families are living below the poverty level.

The county needs a variety of affordable housing, said Francis Harris, a Continuum member who went before the council. A single homeless man or woman doesn't  need, or can't afford a 5-bedroom home and multiple families can't live in one home because of zoning laws.

According to the report, children represent 27 percent of the region’s homeless population (310 of 675 counted in one day) and 61 percent of all people in families that are homeless. Additionally, 38 percent of all homeless adults in families and 20 percent of homeless single individuals are employed.

Therefore, Continuum Care Network members, which includes the City of Manassas Family Services,  aim to support the plan by seeking residential development that would better serve the homelessness community.

In addition, the availability of support services for homeless individuals in the areas of education, substance abuse and work programs are also part of the plan.

Another goal of  the Continuum Care Network here in Prince William County is to build relationships with members of the homeless population so they can have access to the available resources, Harris said.

The plan is part of an effort to create a world class community by 2030 as described in the “2030 Futures Commission Report”, adopted by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors in February, 2008.  Implementation of this plan supports the Prince William Comprehensive Plan and ensures the continuation of much needed funding.