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The original item was published from 5/14/2021 1:55:47 PM to 12/15/2021 12:00:00 AM.

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Health & Human Services

Posted on: May 14, 2021

[ARCHIVED] Regional Homelessness in 2021 Lowest Ever Recorded

Link to information about the point-in-time count of the homeless

According to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ May 2021 Homelessness in Metropolitan Washington: Results and Analysis from the Annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count of Persons Experiencing Homelessness report, the number of persons experiencing homelessness in the region is the lowest ever recorded. In Loudoun County alone, the number of persons experiencing homelessness has decreased by 29% in the last five years. 

The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a one-day snapshot of persons experiencing homelessness across nine area jurisdictions. The Homelessness in Metropolitan Washington report is a comprehensive analysis of the state of homelessness in our region. The Loudoun County Continuum of Care conducts the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Point-in-Time Count of persons in the community experiencing a housing crisis or literal homelessness every January. During the count, members of the Continuum of Care along with staff from local nonprofits canvass the county to assist anyone who is unsheltered by providing resources, non-perishable food and other needed items. 

The Loudoun County Point-in-Time Count covers the entire county and includes outreach to young adults ages 18 to 24, veterans, people over 60, families and others. In 2021, the findings include:

  • The total number of persons experiencing homelessness decreased from 179 in 2020 to 80 in 2021 in Loudoun County. This represents a 55.3% decrease since last year.
  • Regional homelessness is down 25 percent, or by over 2,800 persons in just the last five years. 

“While the downward trend in homelessness is promising, we are keenly aware of the challenges that members of our community continue to face during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Loudoun County Department of Family Services Director Ina Fernández. “We will continue to use tools such as the Point-In-Time Count to refine our services to support the most vulnerable in our community who are experiencing a housing crisis.”

Data from Loudoun County is part of a regional analysis by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee. Concerned by the lack of regional data available, COG undertook the first effort to produce a Point-in-Time count of homeless adults and children in metropolitan Washington in 2001. Learn more at mwcog.org/homelessnessreport.   

Loudoun County offers a variety of programs to assist households in need through the Department of Family Services and the Loudoun Continuum of Care, a partnership between local government, nonprofit agencies, the public school system, health care providers, faith-based organizations and others that work together to address the needs of those experiencing housing instability or homelessness in Loudoun County. Anyone who may be experiencing a housing crisis is encouraged to contact the Department of Family Services’ Information & Referral / Coordinated Entry program at 703-777-0420.

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