By Jared Wenzelburger / Fairfax County Times
In August, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, the county board voted nine-to-one in favor of purchasing a former hotel property as a potential homeless shelter location, despite Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity’s concerns about the fiscal implications and the lack of public input.
The decision comes amid a challenging forecast for the FY 2026 budget. The county approved the purchase of the property for $14.5 million, which is $2.5 million above its appraised value and $9.5 million more than its assessed value, according to a news release from Herrity.
The purchase is part of a broader effort to address homelessness in the county, which remains a pressing issue, especially as winter temperatures drop. The former Extended Stay America building near Route 50 and West Ox Road would be converted into the Fair Ridge Supportive Family Shelter. However, the Board voted to reduce the facility’s capacity by 50%, from 94 extended-stay suites to just 40, Herrity wrote in his newsletter. The reasons behind this decision and the estimated costs of the required renovations were not made clear during the meeting.
“While the county undoubtedly needs shelter housing, the ends shouldn’t justify the means when it comes to a public input process or the spending of taxpayer dollars,” Herrity said.
The county’s decision to purchase the property and its planned capacity conversion raises concerns about transparency and fiscal responsibility. The public review process for the project is being rushed, with a community meeting that was scheduled for Dec. 19, during the holiday season, from 7 to 8 p.m. Herrity argues that this approach undermines the public’s ability to engage in the decision-making process fully.
County officials acknowledged the need for additional shelter housing, especially as the weather grows colder and the county’s existing shelters reach capacity. The county currently runs a Hypothermia Prevention Program at shelters and faith-based sites to provide shelter and basic needs assistance for those experiencing homelessness or domestic violence. This program has prevented “death and serious injuries among Fairfax County’s most vulnerable residents” related to hypothermia in the county since 2005, according to the county website. However, Herrity has raised concerns about how taxpayer money is spent and whether the county is doing enough to ensure public input is considered before making such significant financial decisions.
The county’s purchase of the property also follows the receipt of a federal earmark of $4.1 million to operate a shelter at the site, raising questions about whether this prior commitment influenced the county’s decision and weakened its bargaining position during the purchase negotiations, according to Herrity.
Herrity requested more data on the number of homeless individuals and families currently on the waitlist and those temporarily housed in hotel rooms, which was met with a promise to provide this information soon, as well as an update on the fiscal impact of the purchase.
According to Herrity, the county is facing tough fiscal challenges, with County Executive Bryan Hill already instructing agency directors to identify potential cuts of up to 10% in their budgets for FY 2026. While these cuts are not yet finalized, they are expected to affect current programs.
The purchase of the shelter property for significantly more than its assessed value, the reduction in capacity, and the absence of precise renovation costs and public input fuel ongoing concerns about the county’s approach to addressing homelessness. Herrity argues that this is another example of the county pursuing affordable housing solutions in a problematic manner. Further details on the project and its fiscal impact will be provided in upcoming Board meetings.
The county held a virtual public meeting on Dec. 19 to hear feedback on the Fair Ridge Supportive Family Shelter.