First Federal Emergency Housing Vouchers Issued in Fairfax County
The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority has issued the first six Emergency Housing Vouchers made available through the American Rescue Plan Act. The vouchers provide tenant-based rental assistance to individuals and families that are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless; or who are fleeing violent or dangerous circumstances such as domestic or dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking.
On March 11, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 which provides over $1.9 trillion in relief to address the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Fairfax County was awarded 169 Emergency Housing Vouchers to provide rental housing subsidy to eligible individuals and families.
The Emergency Housing Voucher Program is accessible by referral only. For those who are experiencing homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or are fleeing dangerous or violent circumstances, the most important priority is to get connected with the appropriate help (regardless of whether they may or may not be eligible for Emergency Housing Vouchers). When someone contacts one of the sources below, staff will determine whether individuals meet the qualifications for the Emergency Housing Voucher program and provide referral to this and/or other services and resources they may be eligible to receive.
Coordinated Services Planning offers intake and referral services to county- and community-based programs and services to meet emergency and basic needs. Call 703-222-0880, TTY 711.
Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline. People experiencing abuse should call the 24-hour hotline at 703-360-7273 for resources and information about domestic or sexual violence.
Your Case Manager. If someone is currently working with a county- or community-based caseworker to help address housing needs, they should speak with them to inquire about potential eligibility and referral to the Emergency Housing Voucher program.
Qualified voucher recipients will be required to pay 30 percent of their monthly adjusted income for rent with the remainder of their rent paid through the federal subsidy. Recipients will be provided with assistance in searching for and securing housing which meets the reasonable rent standards established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Unlike other federal housing voucher programs, the Emergency Housing Voucher program is a temporary program which is set to expire in roughly ten years. Any vouchers issued through the Emergency Housing Voucher program that are returned to the county prior to September 30, 2023, may be reissued to new recipients. Beginning October 1, 2023, the reissuance of returned vouchers will no longer be permitted.
“Emergency Housing Vouchers offer an unprecedented opportunity for us to ensure that our most vulnerable residents can find safe, affordable homes and to connect them with the supports they need to find long-term stability,” said Tom Barnett, Deputy Director of the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness. “Being able to help individuals and families with stable housing in a period of crisis is an awesome privilege and responsibility. We are working to identify every opportunity and resource available to serve as many people as we can in our continuing effort to end homelessness in Fairfax County.”
For additional information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/Housing/EmergencyVouchers.