Sibert is executive director of the Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network, better known as A-SPAN, which helps homeless people in the region. What projects is A-SPAN working on now?
The organization is working hard on getting the county to build or renovation a building to have a year-round shelter and center for homeless individuals. The county has a five-month emergency winter shelter that runs from Nov. 1 to March 31. We’re trying very hard to make that into a year-round shelter and center. The County Board directed the county staff to come up with a solution for that. We’re hoping for some word soon about what their plan is. Sixty-five percent of the homeless in Arlington are homeless individuals, and we have two shelters for children and families. There’s a real need.
Why is a year-round shelter important?
When the shelter is not open, which is seven months of the year, over 300 people are living on the streets of Arlington. … When the shelter is open, you know where the a person is going to be each evening. You can more easily connect them with services. It’s just much easier.
How has the economic downturn of the last few years affected your work?
It’s been phenomenal. The number of homeless on the streets of Arlington has grown 30 percent over the past two years. Everyone’s numbers have just gone up tremendously. It’s people losing jobs or having their hours cut back or having a significant health issue.
Are there homelessness issues specific to the D.C. region?
Because we’re a major metro area, the number of homeless as a percentage of the population is really great. … Because it’s an urban area, you see homelessness more. You see them on the Metro, you see them on the streets, you see them in parking garages, you see them in the libraries.
– Emily Babay
