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Homeless Shelter

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

VDOT Removes Homeless Encampment

One homeless man built a significant structure near Rosslyn.

The Virginia Department of Transportation on Monday demolished a substantial structure near Rosslyn that was built by a homeless man, WJLA reported.  The structure took several years for Francisco Fernandez Diaz to build, and was made of "tree limbs, branches, ropes and clothing," according to WJLA. Residents were divided on whether the structure was impressive or an eyesore. Last week, the Council of Governments released a report showing there are fewer homeless people in the region than in past years — a 2.4 percent decrease from 2012 and a 4 percent decrease from 2009. In March, the Arlington County Board approved a year-round homeless service center on two floors of the seven-story office building at 2020 14th St. N. in the Courthouse …

Elsa

1:20 am on Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Shame on VDOT & on the sniffling callous jerks who complained. Hope they sleep well in their clean warm beds...   more ›

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Faces of Homelessness

Four-part series goes beyond the numbers.

It's easy to get caught up in statistics when talking about homelessness. In Arlington County, for instance, there were an estimated 461 homeless people last year -- including 112 children. The overall number is down about 13 percent from 2010, though organizers believe the number may have been skewed by a snow and ice storm that hit the day of the count. The four-part Faces of Homelessness series below goes beyond the numbers. It focuses on people who are or have struggled with homelessness in southern Fairfax County. It's a good reminder that there's more to this problem than statistics. Arlington County has been working on a 10-year plan to end homelessness. Partners like the Arlington Street People's Assistance Network, or A-SPAN, help…

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Arlington County Manager Proposes Half-Cent Tax Hike

Manager's proposal would cost the average Arlington homeowner an extra $118 annually.

Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan on Wednesday proposed a $1.03 billion general fund budget that includes a half-cent tax increase and funds several new facilities, increases county employee compensation and fully restores library branch hours that were cut in 2009. Donnellan previewed her spending plan during a county board work session. She will make a formal presentation before the board Tuesday afternoon. “This is basically a continuing services budget,” Donnellen said. “We are very fortunate to be able to do that.” On Tuesday, the board must agree on the ceiling for any potential tax hikes. The county manager recommends setting a 1.5-cent real estate tax increase ceiling in order to give the board "flexibility" to address …

Janet

10:20 am on Friday, February 10, 2012

This is outrageous.The increase will go to funding more County Board's pet vanity projects, more live theaters, more $450,000 sculptures for parks, more synthetic surfaces everywhere (replacement cost $500,000 to $800,000). I've had it. I'm voting for Audrey Clement ion march 27th.   more ›

Friday, December 24, 2010

Holiday Spirit Lives in the Hearts of Volunteers

Volunteers from the Shooshan Company and A-SPAN continue the tradition of their Annual Client Holiday Party. This once a year celebration pulls the homeless off of the street and out of shelters for the opportunity to celebrate the holidays.

This Saturday many of us will celebrate Christmas with our friends and families.  It is a time to relive every childhood tradition from hanging stocking on the mantel of the fireplace to leaving cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.   We will spend Christmas morning preparing to host our guests for a beautiful holiday dinner.  Sometime during all of the chaos of the day, I personally hope to steal a moment by the fire with a simple cup of hot chocolate and my wife. The holidays will be different for all of us.  We need to remember one thing: Our simple traditions are not a possibility for everyone in our community.  On Monday, for their third year in a row The Shooshan Company hosted the Client Holiday Party for A-SPAN.  The Client Holiday …

Monday, November 1, 2010

Fundraiser for the Residential Program Center

Arlington residents and businesses begin to provide the support needed for the Residential Program Center, a shelter for the homeless. Help is still needed!

Saturday, the Volunteers for America Chesapeake held the first annual silent auction to raise funds for the Residential Program Center in Arlington.   The Residential Program Center (RPC) provides three distinct services:  substance abuse recovery, non-medical detoxification, and homeless services for single adults.  For many clients, the RPC is hope for their future and a future with their family.  The facility provides training, education, food, clothing, and assistance for single adults.  According to Lisa Frazier, a volunteer from Volunteers of America Chesapeake, the shelter is only facility that offers housing and substance abuse treatment at one location.  Because of the residential nature of the RPC, Case Managers are able to build…

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