PWC Community Asked To Speak Out On Homeless Plan

by Cindy Brookshire
(Manassas, Virginia)

Community encouraged to speak out about homelessness

The community has the opportunity to provide input on the draft "Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness" before it is presented to the Board of County Supervisors later this year.

Sixty three per cent of the people in homeless families in our community are children. "A coordinated plan can greatly reduce those costs and help us meet our goal of appropriate housing options for all citizens," says Frances Harris, the current chair of the Continuum of Care, who presented the plan at two public forums in Lake Ridge and Manassas to solicit community input, and plans more presentations to community groups throughout the area.

The Greater Prince William Area Continuum of Care Network, made up of local nonprofits and government departments, has led the effort to present a coordinated plan designed to address the costs of homelessness and its causes while working on permanent solutions.

Participants at the two recent forums shared how their lives have been touched by homeless or housing issues. They broke into small groups to discuss strategies that touched on prevention, affordable housing, supportive services and employment & training.

One participant stated that children in Headstart are taught coping mechanisms to deal with the stress of not having a permanent home.

Another suggested reaching families through the schools, to create pathways to transportation, child care and affordable housing for the many service level workers working full time that we need in our community.

Community comments will be incorporated into the final plan, which will meet requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for future funding, and will comply with the county’s Consolidated Plan.

If you would like a copy of the draft plan to offer your input, or would like a presentation made to your community group, contact Frances Harris at 703-441-8606 or e-mail fharris@actspwc.org.

Check out: Meeting to End Homelessness in Prince William County Virginia