Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

FAIRFAX COUNTY WANTS YOUR HELP IN PLANNING HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS

You are invited to attend and participate in public forums/public hearings being conducted by Fairfax County to help identify housing and other human service needs to be addressed in the county’s FY 2011-2015 Five Year Consolidated Plan. The final plan will be approved by the Board of Supervisors and submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in May 2010. Three public forums will be held according to the following schedule: 

Wednesday, Oct. 28     Affordable Housing and Community and Economic Development
                                    Reston Community Center, Hunter Woods Village
                                    2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191
                                    1 – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 29        Affordable Housing and Community and Economic Development
                                    Fairfax County Government Center South
                                    8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309
                                    5:30 – 8:45 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 6             Helping the Homeless and Persons with Special Needs (Including                                                Persons with Mental, Physical, Sensory Disabilities, and Senior                                    Citizens)
                                    Fairfax County Government Center
                                    12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA
                                    Meeting Rooms 2/3 and 4/5       
                                    9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The county is particularly interested in hearing from:

• Citizens that are in need of or are receiving housing and/or other assistance; and
• Local community or faith-based organizations and private enterprises that provide direct services to and/or advocate for low-income individuals and families. 

Forum participants will have an opportunity to take part in small group discussions designed to gather information on the housing, community development and human services needs of county residents, and needs for services to be provided by community-based organizations as well as to provide input on how well the county is performing in meeting these needs.  While small group discussions at each forum will address specific topics and issues, (e.g., Affordable Housing and Community and Economic Development), the county has arranged to gather and record information on any topic at each of the three scheduled events.  If, for example, an individual wishing to discuss the special housing needs of persons with physical disabilities is unable to attend the November 6 forum, they may present their information at either of the other two scheduled forums on Wednesday, Oct. 28, or Thursday, Oct. 29. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their views on Fair Housing issues and the county’s Consolidated Plan performance.

For additional information, please contact Doug Lynott at either 703-246-5259, or via e-mail at: Douglass.Lynott@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fairfax County provides equal access for citizens with disabilities to all activities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations or who need this document in an alternative format should 703-246-5101 (TTY: 703-385-3578) seven working days in advance to make the necessary arrangements.