Jay Westcott : “Rising Homeless Rates in Arlington Despite Shelter Access”

Arlington’s Homeless Population Sees a 14% Increase in the Past Year

A recent report has revealed that Arlington’s homeless population has grown by 14% in the last year. Despite this increase, the county’s efforts to expand shelter capacity and improve outreach have resulted in more homeless individuals gaining access to shelter.

The report, released by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), highlights the challenges faced by Arlington’s homeless population, with the number of homeless individuals rising from 213 to 243 since January 2023. The study also shows that nearly half of homeless individuals in Arlington are Black and over 35 years old.

Key Findings from the Report

The report indicates that the number of single adults in emergency shelters increased by 31%, while the number of families seeking emergency shelter also rose. Additionally, the number of chronically homeless individuals and homeless veterans saw significant increases.

The report attributes the root causes of homelessness in Arlington to systemic racism, high housing costs, and the end of pandemic-related eviction protections. It suggests that addressing homelessness requires tackling these systemic issues.

Efforts to Address Homelessness

Arlington County has implemented various initiatives to combat homelessness, including the launch of the Mobile Outreach Support Team (MOST) to provide support to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies and drug overdoses.

Despite the challenges, Arlington’s Continuum of Care (CoC) services and programs have led to a decrease in unsheltered homelessness and a reduction in homeless survivors fleeing domestic violence.

Regional Comparison

Arlington is not alone in facing a homelessness crisis, with several neighbouring jurisdictions also reporting increases in their homeless populations. The overall D.C. region has seen a 12% spike in homelessness, with significant increases observed in Montgomery County and Loudoun County.

Despite these challenges, Arlington’s efforts to address homelessness have shown some success, with a decrease in certain segments of the homeless population and an increase in access to shelter and support services.