Shelter Will Not Move Behind Lincolnia Senior Center

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Fairfax County officials said Tuesday they will not temporarily relocate the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter.

Following zoning approval granted in late July, the county had been proceeding with its plan to move the facility behind the Lincolnia Senior Center on a temporary basis.

Also read: Residents Wary of Relocating Homeless Shelter Near Senior Center

However, the temporary relocation is no longer necessary because the county recently bought land for a new shelter, and on Sept. 14, AvalonBay terminated its plans to develop the county-owned site where the shelter sits today, according to the County.

The development deal would have required the shelter’s temporary relocation, officials said.

County to Purchase Building for Homeless Shelter

Instead, it is anticipated that the shelter will move into a new, permanent home at 5914 Seminary Road in the fall of 2019. The property, located approximately one-half mile from the current shelter on Moncure Avenue, was previously the site of a veterinary clinic.

The county purchased this site on Sept. 14 for $1.4 million.

The county will build a new, approximately 20,000 square-foot shelter at this location. The plans call for the facility to provide:

• 50 beds to include the addition of five medical respite beds
• Approximately 15 personal living quarters, reflecting the county’s Housing First strategy

Officials anticipate tearing down the old veterinary clinic by the end of this year, and will begin construction on the new shelter in 2018.

Location of new shelter (Google maps):

PHOTO of building being purchased by County for new homeless shelter; MRIS photo