As Prince William County’s Board of Supervisors prepare to meet today, one of the major agenda items will be the budget proposals for the FY2022 fiscal year. The Cooperative Council of Ministries (CCOM), a coalition of churches in Prince William County serving people experiencing homelessness and poverty in the area, are advocating for approved funding of the proposed Capital Improvement Plan. This budget includes an allocation to fund the proposed Capital Improvement Plan for the Bill Mehr Drop-in Center “Homeless Navigation Center-East.”

Chairperson Idris O’ Connor

In a letter sent to the BOCS by Chairperson Idris O’Connor, the CCOM is supporting the budget proposal sent by Executive Director Christopher Martino on February 16. The proposal includes additional funding to keeping full time employees and “keep staffing levels that include case management services for adults experiencing chronic homelessness. The center would assist individuals who work but cannot afford housing in the county.” In addition, the staff from the Ferlazzo Shelter would transition to the new Bill Mehr Drop-In Center “Homeless Navigation Center-East” proposed in the Capital Improvement Plan.

The letter goes on to state the alarming statistics regarding homelessness within the county. “According to the Prince William County Department of Social Services 60% of people experiencing homelessness in our county are working but cannot afford to live in our county,” it states. “The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of people experiencing homelessness in our county.”

Tonight the Board of County Supervisors will discuss the budget and hear public comments. For more information on the Cooperative Council of Ministries and their advocacy, visit their website.