Arlington County Government refuses to operate a year round homeless shelter for adult men and women, instead sticking to the outdated concept that these homeless folks only need shelter during November to March 31. The 75 people sheltered in the winter shelter are expected to sleep in Arlington parks, in parking garages, along 4 Mile Run, and in their cars during April through October. This practice goes against all modern recommendations for dealing with homeless persons and is inhumane.

The Arlington County manager presented her budget proposal to the County Board in February 2011 and it contained no additional funds to operate the adult, low barrier shelter throughout the year. The county now spends $1.6 million for its various homeless shelters; it would cost about $300,000 more to operate the additional 8 months.

Bear in mind that when the shelter closes, some clients end up in the county jail or in the hospital at public expense. It cost over $100 per night per jail inmate versus about $15 per night for the shelter. The county is being penny wise and pound foolish. Moreover, how are homeless persons going to receive job counseling and assistance if no one can find them easily? The shelter is operated by an award-winning nonprofit, ASPAN (http://www.a-span.org/ews.html).<

I is preposterous that the County Government cannot find $300,000 to take care of homeless men and women who need a hand up to getting their lives together and becoming self reliant and tax paying members of the community. What kind of “world class” community is Arlington? Third-world class, perhaps.