A Letter From the
Homelessness Task Force Chair
June 2024
Dear Fairfax City,
Last year, 15 people launched an in-depth discussion on homelessness in our community to provide recommendations on how the city government can address it. Homelessness Task Force members, comprised of city residents, business community members, and non-profit partner representatives, were appointed by City Council and collaborated with elected officials, city staff, and government agencies beyond our city borders.
The task force formed subcommittees to divide the work and identify various facets of this complex issue. The Data & Research Subcommittee identified specific demographics and shared best practices of many localities. The Education & Outreach Subcommittee connected the task force and community to trusted sources. The Policy & Advocacy Subcommittee reviewed policies and laws to identify and recommend solutions for the city.
These three groups provided a foundation of accurate information from which we, with feedback from the community, created 38 recommendations to present to the City Council on June 25.
The task force received information and guidance from numerous experts with expansive knowledge and experience who helped us along the way, including Fairfax City government departments, the Fairfax County Office to End and Prevent Homelessness and other Fairfax County offices, numerous state agencies, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. These trusted partners helped us better understand the topic and appreciate its complexity so we could provide thoughtful, realistic recommendations.
American cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; in fact, it's the only thing that ever has.” The members of this diverse task force hope our recommendations can help city leaders to effectively and compassionately address the issue of homelessness in the city — and be part of the solution not just in the city, but regionally and beyond.
Sincerely,
Amini Elizabeth Bonane
Chair, Fairfax City Homelessness Task Force
 The Homeless Task Force held their final meeting on May 29 at Fairfax City Hall.
City of Fairfax Homelessness Task Force Members
Josh Alexander, Earp's Ordinary (business)
Amini Bonane, Chair, resident
Michael Dykes, FACETS (non-profit)
Grace Francis, resident
Melinda Gaber, resident
Jim Gillespie, Co-Chair, resident
Zia Hassan, First American Real Estate (business)
Lesley Hatch, Lamb Center (non-profit)
Carole Huell, resident
Susan LaCroix, Co-Chair, resident
Mark Light, Co-Chair, resident
Jennifer Rose, Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce (business)
Heather Thomas, A Place to Stand (non-profit)
Catherine Read, City of Fairfax Mayor
Kate Doyle Feingold, City of Fairfax Councilmember
So Lim, City of Fairfax Councilmember
Lesley Abashian, Human Services Director
 At the Nov. 14, 2023, City Council meeting, Homelessness Task Force members accepted a proclamation from Mayor Catherine Read acknowledging Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week in the City of Fairfax.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Kickoff Event
June 14 • 5-7 p.m. • Earp's Ordinary
Attend the kickoff event celebrating
Dr. Gordon Brown's bike ride
from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco
to address homelessness and hunger
through assistance, advocacy,
and increasing awareness.
Dr. Brown a co-founder of A Place to Stand, a non-profit organization that works with existing organizations to create healthier communities by connecting people who are unhoused or in danger of losing their housing to proper resources and providing access to basic needs, including stable housing, adequate nutrition, education, employment assistance, and healthcare.
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 In the May 23, 2024, New Yorker, Paige Williams writes about how an ambitious experiment in Minneapolis is changing the way librarians work with their homeless patrons and challenging how we share public space.
(The New Yorker can be read for free courtesy of the Fairfax County Public Library via the Libby app — and check at your local library branch for additional reading options. Free library cards are available for all Fairfax City residents and businesses.)
Homelessness Task Force Community Feedback Roundtable (May 16, 2024)
 On May 16, The City of Fairfax Homelessness Task Force presented a draft of its recommendations; which you can read on Engage Fairfax. Click here, or on the image above, to watch a video about the event.
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You can help out the homeless community in Fairfax City and Fairfax County. in numerous ways.
No matter your skills, age, or resources, you can find a way to make a difference by donating, volunteering, and staying informed.
The Fairfax County Office to End Homelessness maintains a list of trusted nonprofit partners. Click here to view the list, or call 703-246-5000 (voice), 711 (TTY).
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How to Provide Feedback on Homelessness Issues in Fairfax City
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Share this newsletter with others,
and encourage them to stay connected
through City Clips.
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The City of Fairfax Homelessness Task Force is a collaborative and inclusive community forum responsible for increasing the understanding of, identifying issues related to and developing innovative strategies for addressing homelessness in the City of Fairfax.
Click here to read the Homelessness Task Force Charter.
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The City of Fairfax is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. For assistance, contact 703-385-7894 (voice), 711 (TTY).
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