The Arlington County Board has approved a plan that seeks to end homelessness in the county within 10 years.
The plan calls for moving people out of shelters and into their own apartments by increasing both the supply of affordable housing and the funds made available for rental assistance.
Though the total expected cost of the program has not been released, officials said caring for the homeless in the region can have a price tag as high as $40,000 for a single person or $100,000 for a family, with expenses including such things as food, medical care, shelter management and child welfare services.
Officials said about 200 county residents are considered chronically homeless.
“This plan shows our commitment to doing all we can to help every person living on the streets find housing and rebuild their lives,” said Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman.
Many recent studies have shown the costs can be decreased, especially in the area of medical and psychological care, if homeless people are placed in their own permanent homes.
