The number of homeless individuals in Arlington County increased 6 percent between 2012 and 2013, but the homeless population is still lower than it was in 2010, according to a newly-released study.
The annual Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments homelessness report revealed that the homeless count in Arlington increased from 451 in 2012 to 479 in 2013. During that same period, the Washington region saw a 2.4 percent decrease in its homeless population, led by a 22 percent drop in Alexandria, a 12 percent drop in Fairfax County, and a 1 percent drop in the District of Columbia.
Arlington’s homeless population had decreased the past two years, from a peak of 531 homeless individuals in 2010. This year, Arlington has the second highest homelessness ratio — 2.2 homeless persons per 1,000 residents — of any local jurisdiction except D.C., where there are 10.9 homeless persons per 1,000 residents.
Arlington’s latest homeless count was performed on January 30, 2013.
The rise in the local homeless population is happening despite Arlington’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, which was first published in 2006. That plan includes supportive services and rental assistance for homeless individuals, and the opening of the new homeless shelter and services center in Courthouse.
Other vital statistics about Arlington’s homeless population from the MWCOG study include:
- Arlington has 70 homeless families, comprised of 88 adults and 123 kids
- There are 14 homeless veterans in Arlington, down from 24 in 2012
- There were 198 homeless individuals placed in permanent housing in fiscal year 2012
- There were 49 disabled homeless individuals placed in permanent supportive housing in fiscal year 2012
- The number of “chronically homeless” individuals is down from 175 in 2012 to 156 in 2013
- The numbers of homeless individuals classified with chronic substance abuse problems and severe mental illness are 99 and 45, respectively
So far, representatives from Arlington County and the Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network have not responded to requests for comment.
