Homelessness Task Force

Crime and homelessness are increasing across the region due to a lift on covid eviction moratoriums, inflation, and increased behavioral health problems. The post ran a great article on this: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/11/07/homeless-solutions-union-station/

Despite what many people would hope, mental illness, substance use disorder and homelessness do not decrease when laws get tougher on them. Loitering laws have generally been found unconstitutional. It may make you uncomfortable to see homeless people and their things, but they have a right to exist. There is nothing Fairfax City can ethically do to "run these people out." So the only option is to help them. Fairfax County is also looking at addressing the issue. I attended the public safety meeting last week and I heard many people complain about the increasing population of homeless people and the number one solution suggested was more mental health services. That's what the homeless task force needs to focus on - more services. A rising tide lifts all boats. So let's RISE together.

How did it take 11 months to create a board where the community can provide input on this matter? Do you know how moronic “public” meetings are when the public has no ability to participate in said meetings? You purposely keep these closed because you know the public strongly disagree with your ineffective solutions and you’re afraid to hear criticism.

Despite the task force's establishment and the promises made, the situation on our streets has not improved. In fact, it seems to be deteriorating. The visible increase in homelessness and the lack of tangible solutions or interventions from the task force are deeply troubling. The community had high hopes for meaningful action and innovative solutions, but so far, these expectations have not been met.

The lack of progress is particularly amazing given the fact that so many council members, City of Fairfax staff AND mayor are part of it. It's imperative to ask: What are the barriers preventing effective action? Why has there been such a significant disconnect between the task force's goals and the actual outcomes? Quite literally, the only tangible action was to place an eyesore of a portapotty–which costs the city a quarter million dollars– that no one uses onto the future low-income housing project parking lot.
While y’all dilly dally and waste each other’s AND our time; my business and the surrounding businesses in the circle are continuously being affected by this issue. There have been 400+ phone calls weekly on average and a majority of those have to deal with people of “No Fixed Address”. I had a homeless man come in the other day right after he crossed the road from the Lamb center and urinate all over my wall and floor. I had a prostitute solicit sex and money from my guests and me personally in my parking lot. How much of this do you think I or any other business is going to take before saying enough is enough and moving out to better pastures?
Do you know how frustrating it is to hear guest after guest that live right next to the circle say that they won’t patronize my establishment due to the perceived danger it is to their families due to the homelessness issue?

While I understand the complexities of addressing homelessness, it's the task force's responsibility to overcome these challenges and make a tangible difference. It's not just about policy discussions or meetings; it's about real action and results that positively impact the lives of our community.

Why not discuss what happens to all the people that are rejected by the Lamb Center? Or actually have FACETs move to the Lamb Center in the evenings when they’re closed instead of an active commercial parking lot?

Quite frankly, I think the task force should be disbanded; currently, there would be no difference between having one and not having one. The community is watching and expects more than just discussions; we expect action.

Another post implied that homeless persons commit crimes at a higher rate than others. I would like to see the evidence. Do homeless drive drunk more? run more red lights? buy more cocaine? Domestic violence is virtually impossible for a homeless person. Cyber crime would be hard, too.

When we are adding bus shelters or benches can we think about buying ones that are not comfortable to sleep on. I've seen these in other cities. Recently someone was sleeping in the bus shelter by Patient First. Also the bus stop by projects a terrible image of the city. It's hang out central there and always trashy. Maybe we need one of those cans that compacts the trash. People sit for hours. There is also a ton of trash near the food distribution spot near the Home Depot, that looks terrible. Does Home Depot officially allow this to occur? People then loiter on that corner. Just the trash caused by these folks is a gross mess and the city is going to have a rat problem if we don't already. Perhaps the food distribution organization should provide a way to dispose of the trash.

Many well-intentioned neighbors are putting time, effort, and financial resources into increasing the provision of services for area unhoused, and much of it has been concentrated in Fairfax Circle. Whatever long-term benefit those services may provide comes with a direct trade-off: Fairfax Circle has become the crime hot spot of the City of Fairfax, with assaults, sexual crimes, trespasses (including a home invasion), robberies, property destruction, and even a murder committed by persons with no fixed address. The feeling of safety that was always a hallmark of the City is eroding and residents have legitimate concerns for nearby school children who traverse Blenheim Boulevard, Lion Run, Fairfax Boulevard, and the Accotink trails near Fairfax Circle. Additional resources and services for unhoused provided in the donut hole of Fairfax City (with 24,000 residents in 6 square miles) has the unavoidable consequence of drawing in much larger unhoused populations from surrounding Fairfax County (with 1.2 million total residents over 406 square miles) and other populous areas of Northern Virginia -- and that means the burden of the care and management of correlated problems (policing, EMTs, garbage removal, mental health supports, to name a few) is disproportionately borne by City residents. Home owners and businesses have made long-term investments in the vitality and tax base of our City, and this council owes it to them to prioritize public safety. Simultaneously, the City is investing tens of millions of dollars in Blenheim Boulevard improvements, including bike lanes and sidewalks, and Fairfax Circle comprehensive plan improvements, all of which will be squandered if the neighborhood devolves into an unsafe encampment for regional unhoused. The City has demonstrated compassion -- it already hosts the Lamb Center and will soon host a 53-unit permanent supportive housing facility at Fairfax Circle. Those services are both compassionate AND PROPORTIONATE for a tiny city surrounded by a much larger and wealthier county. Please weigh any additional services against the continued erosion of public safety and resulting impact on residents and businesses.