ARLINGTON, Va. -- Arlington County is looking for volunteers to join an extraordinary effort this October to identify every homeless person sleeping on the County’s streets, and assess their health and housing needs. Data collected during 100 Homes Registry Week (Oct. 16-21) will result in a “Vulnerability Index” that will identify homeless persons who are most likely to die -- if not housed quickly – and give them priority for housing and related services.

 

An initiative of the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness in Arlington County, the 100 Homes for 100 Homeless Arlingtonians Campaign makes Arlington County one of 91 communities nationwide to adopt the “100,000 Homes for 100,000 Homeless Americans”  campaign to house the most medically vulnerable homeless by 2013.

 

“We have made great strides in addressing homelessness in Arlington, but our work is far from complete,” said County Board Chairman Christopher Zimmerman. “The 100 Homes Campaign brings important focus to helping some of the most vulnerable members of our community – those living on the streets.”

The 100,000 Homes model is based on the “Housing First” approach to ending homelessness by first placing the homeless into housing- regardless of mental illness, disabilities, or addictions – then providing comprehensive supportive services.Practiced in many communities nationwide, this model has been found to be more cost-effective and humane than the regular use of emergency services such as shelters, jails, emergency room visits, and halfway houses.

According to John Shooshan, president of The Shooshan Company, and Arlington County Board Member Barbara Favola, who co-chair Arlington’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness Leadership Committee, the 100 Homes Campaign brings needed attention to the issue of homelessness in Arlington and offers members of the community a unique opportunity to get involved.

 

“The 100 Homes Campaign and Registry Week are great opportunities for the entire community, including business, faith and civic sectors to come together, roll up our sleeves and make a difference in the lives of people in peril,” said Shooshan.

 

“I guarantee it will be a rewarding experience for every volunteer who takes part in this campaign, whether it’s through joining a survey team or working at headquarters. As we move individuals into housing, there will be additional opportunities for people to get involved. There is no shortage of ways to show you care,” said Favola.

The 100 Homes Campaign needs volunteers to be surveyors and perform data entry the week of October 16-21. The surveying volunteers will work in teams and interview homeless people beginning at 4 a.m. the mornings of October 17, 18 and 19.

 

For more information and to get involved in the campaign, please visit the 100 Homes website. To volunteer, register online.