Homeless count

Volunteers counted the number of homeless people in the region on Jan. 25. 

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Northern Virginia has increased over the past year, according to a report by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. 

The report, released earlier in May, highlights results from the annual Point-in-Time count conducted by area jurisdictions and homeless services providers on Jan. 25.

The city of Alexandria, along with Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William counties, all saw an increase in homelessness during the one-day snapshot, compared with the prior year. 

Last year, Fairfax and Prince William counties were the only Northern Virginia counties that saw a decrease in people experiencing homelessness during the count. 

Overall 1,339 more people experienced homelessness in metropolitan Washington – including suburban Maryland and the District of Columbia – compared to the prior year. However, homelessness overall is down 9% since 2019, according to the data. 

Elisabeth Young, the council’s homeless services planning and coordinating committee chair, said in a news release that the council can ensure more residents can access safe and stable housing through investments in housing services and programs. 

“As housing programs prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic have ended, including eviction moratoriums and some emergency housing assistance, the region is saddened to see more residents experiencing homelessness,” Young said. “We have much more work to do.”  

Loudoun and Prince William saw the largest increase in homelessness from 2022 to 2023. Loudoun had 220 homeless people this year, compared with 99 the prior year, and Prince William had 326 homeless people, compared with 249 the previous year. 

The report also addressed demographics of those experiencing homelessness. The council’s housing program manager, Hilary Chapman, said governments are working together to address the emerging need of adults over 65 experiencing homelessness. 

“As the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age, there is concern that more individuals over the age of 65 will experience homelessness in the region in the coming years,” Chapman said. 

The count found that 35% (2,032 individuals) of adults without children experiencing homelessness were over the age of 55. 

Homelessness count 2023 vs. 2022

Although homelessness in the Washington region increased in 2023 compared with 2022, it is down 9% since 2019. 

Acacia James covers Fairfax County with a focus on affordable housing, access to transportation and other issues affecting underserved communities. 

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(9) comments

WhereAre TheyNow

Smoke in mirrors do these numbers include undocumented/illegals? If it does they should be sent back and not counted as homeless citizens and/or make a new category specifically to identify this resource!

John Dutko

Does the citizenship of a homeless person matter?

The Census does not care. Nor should you.

Dare to see these unfortunate souls as people, instead of branding them with the "other" moniker to make you dehumanize them further.

Margaret Kettl

agreed, the illegals should not be getting as many free anything as they get. Free breakfast, lunch and dinner sent home from the school system when American citizens (esp single parents) are denied. Completely wrong. Send them and any children they purposely had in the USA back until they can come in legally and close the borders.

Margaret Kettl

or hand out immigration papers to them and if they don't have them filled out and turned in within a reasonable amount of time (< 1 month) then send them back.

Educated Patriot

One year of data is meaningless. This is a non-story. Look back 10-15 years and we are down by nearly 30%.

Paul Benedict

That's right. This is good news. We just have to read between the lines.

Robert Kennedy

They died or went to Portland.Lots more freebies and encampments.

Genocide Joe

Yeah, let's just check back in 10-15 years and see how things look to get a better idea if anything needs to change.

Genocide Joe

You must live in some gated community or something. What was your old username on here?

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