Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 in August to purchase a former hotel as a possible homeless shelter, despite Springfield district supervisor Pat Herrity’s concern about the fiscal implications of the decision and the lack of input from the public.

The decision was made in the midst of a difficult forecast for FY 2026. According to Herrity, the county has approved the purchase of this property at $14.5 million. This is $2.5 millions above its appraised price and $9.5million more than its assessed cost.

The purchase is a part of an overall effort to combat homelessness, a pressing problem in the county. This is especially true as the winter temperatures continue to drop. The Fair Ridge Supportive Family shelter will be built in the former Extended Stay America near Route 50 and West Ox Road. Herrity reported in his newsletter that the Board had voted to reduce capacity of the facility by half, from 94 suites for extended stays to 40. The meeting did not provide any information on the reasons for this decision or the estimated cost of renovations.

Herrity stated that “while the county is in dire need of shelter housing, it shouldn’t be justified by the means” when it comes to the public input process and the expenditure of taxpayer dollars.

Transparency and fiscal responsibility are raised by the county’s purchase of the property and planned conversion to a larger facility. Public review of the project has been rushed. A community meeting was scheduled from 7 to 8 pm on December 19, the holiday season. Herrity believes that this approach limits the ability of the public to participate fully in the decision-making.

Officials in the county acknowledged that more shelter housing was needed, particularly as the weather gets colder and existing shelters are full. The county runs a hypothermia prevention program at shelters and faith based sites in order to provide shelter, basic needs assistance and shelter for those who are experiencing homelessness or family violence. According to the county’s website, this program has prevented “deaths and serious injuries” among Fairfax County residents who are most vulnerable due to hypothermia since 2005. Herrity is concerned about the way taxpayers’ money is spent, and if the county does enough to consider public input before making major financial decisions.

Herrity argues that the county purchased the property after receiving a federal grant of $4.1million to run a shelter on the site. This raises questions as to whether the prior commitment affected the county’s choice and weakened its bargaining power during the negotiations.

Herrity asked for more information on the number homeless families and individuals currently on the waiting list, and those temporarily housed at hotels. This request was met by a promise that this data would be provided soon, along with an update regarding the fiscal impact.

Herrity says that the county faces tough financial challenges. County Executive Bryan Hill has already instructed agency directors to identify possible cuts of up 10% in their budgets. These cuts, while not finalized yet, are expected to have an impact on current programs.

The county’s efforts to address homelessness are fueled by the purchase of the shelter for a significant amount more than the assessed value of the property, the reduction of capacity, the lack of specific renovation costs, and the absence public input. Herrity says that the county is pursuing affordable housing in a difficult way. In upcoming Board Meetings, more details will be given on the project’s fiscal impact.

On December 19, the county held a virtual meeting to gather feedback about Fair Ridge Supportive Families Shelter.

FairfaxGOP originally wrote this and published it as Fairfax County Decision To Purchase Homeless Shelter Property Raises Concerns