Whose Backyard Is It Anyway? Overcoming NIMBY Presentation by Pamela L. Michell Executive Director, New Hope Housing, Inc. Alexandria, VA July 11, 2007

Washington, D.C. Region Population data and map from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Growth Trends to 2030: Cooperative Forecasting in the Washington Region, Fall Income data: 2005 American Community Survey. Metropolitan Region population in 2005: 4,978,700 Population of Fairfax County, Virginia: 1,041, median household income: Washington D.C. MSA: $74,708 Fairfax County, Virginia: $94,610

Homelessness in the Fairfax and Falls Church communities 1,813 homeless persons on January 25, 2007  730 single individuals  1,083 persons in families (307 families with 674 children under 18)

Housing costs are high while incomes are low 82% of single individuals 54% of homeless families Most homeless have incomes below poverty Only 4.4% of county population is below poverty

The average 1-bedroom rent is $1,093/month Income needed is $43,720/year 90% of singles have income below $15,000 The average 2-bedroom rent is $1,306/month Income needed is $52,240/year 82% of families have income below $30,000 Housing costs are high while incomes are low

395 square miles, with 1,041,200 people No downtown; several commercial areas Lack of old hotels, warehouses, etc. SF neighborhoods, condo, townhouse communities, and garden apartments Increasing density Limited undeveloped land Fairfax County: a suburban/urban county

Fairfax County Politics 10 Member Board of Supervisors 9 magisterial districts, each with 1 supervisor At large chairman of the Board Magisterial “veto” Dillon Rule state

Three Stories  Siting a shelter  Siting a safe haven  Siting affordable housing

Siting a Shelter Task force recommendation in 2000 County Project: Support and involvement of senior staff Support and involvement of elected officials County land County funds

Neighborhood concerns – the usual Response: –Hold public meetings and private conversations –Have a consistent message –Listen and respond to concerns Siting a Shelter

Hanley Shelter Neighbors

Hanley Shelter

Hanley Shelter Neighbors

Siting a Shelter When local government puts its weight behind something, it will happen. It may be slow but it will happen. Moral:

Hot potato project of the Continuum of Care in 1995 Site identification Meeting with local elected supervisor Open community meeting Siting a Safe Haven

Use by right Fair housing Consistent message Listen and respond to concerns Siting a Safe Haven

Max’s Place – a safe haven

Max’s Place Neighbor

Siting a Safe Haven Stick to your vision and the law Buy a flack jacket In the end, it will be okay Moral:

33 acres owned Fairfax County, purchased with CDBG funds Vacant/passive parkland 5 acres zoned commercial 18 acres zoned R-2 11 acres zoned R-MHP, 6 units/acre Siting Affordable Housing

North Hill

Hypothermia and the faith community, then and now Efforts of local faith coalition on affordable housing/SROs Local supervisor moves from no how/no way to over-riding his own advisory committee Siting Affordable Housing

Elected officials want political cover Mobilized and motivated individual citizens can provide it Moral: Siting Affordable Housing

Use by right Want county funds for match Need supervisor letter of support Next: Siting a Samaritan Initiative

Pamela L. Michell Executive Director New Hope Housing, Inc E Richmond Highway Alexandria, VA ext Contact Information