In partnership with TPMA, the City of Fairfax announced the launch of a comprehensive housing and homelessness strategic plan that will outline sustainable solutions, public recommendations, and action steps to increase affordable housing availability and reduce homelessness within the city. This is a milestone in the city’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that all residents have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing while addressing the growing challenges of homelessness.
“The City of Fairfax homelessness task force recently presented 38 recommendations on future programing and policy development to combat homelessness. Our partnership with TPMA marks an important step toward developing strategies that will identify solutions to increase affordable housing opportunities and work toward making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring” says Valmarie Turner, City of Fairfax Deputy City Manager.
With housing affordability becoming an increasing concern for many communities, the city of Fairfax is proactively seeking data-driven solutions to better understand local housing needs and identify strategies to enhance the quality of life for all residents. The urgency of this initiative is underscored by recent trends.
Fairfax County saw a decline in homelessness prior to 2019, but since then, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly those in emergency shelters, has risen. Locally, The Lamb Center experienced nearly a 20% increase in daily visitors between May 2019 and May 2023. Rising homelessness is often linked to housing affordability, further emphasizing the need for affordable homeownership and rental housing options for low, very low-income, and the “missing middle” residents.
Over the past decade, housing costs in Fairfax have increased significantly, with home prices reaching an average of $774,000 as of August 2024. Renters are facing similar challenges, with the average market rent rising to $2,391. As a result, 29% of households are now considered cost-burdened, spending 30% or more of their monthly income on housing costs.
“TPMA is thrilled to partner with the City of Fairfax once again to address affordable housing and homelessness within the community. This plan will involve close collaboration between the city, local housing and non-profit organizations, community stakeholders, and residents. Public input is crucial to the success of this initiative, and we encourage community members to share their perspectives on housing needs in the City of Fairfax,” said Melanie Thompson, Senior Housing Consultant and Project Lead for TPMA.
The plan is already underway and is set to conclude in June 2025.