Encampment Procedures
The Encampment Procedures topic concerned updates to the City's policies governing the removal of homeless encampments, with a focus on improving notice timelines and protecting residents' belongings. 2 separate matters touch this plan or program; each has its own status.
The City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan is the city's primary long-range land use and policy document, guiding development, housing, transportation, and related decisions. A five-year review process culminated on October 8, 2024, when City Council unanimously adopted Resolution R-24-30 approving the updated plan dated September 27, 2024.
- HHCAB Strategy Teams, Working Session
Background materials reviewed the history of the updated 14-day encampment removal notice (implemented July 2025 per City Manager direction) and noted that encampment FAQs are being added to the city website's new Housing & Homelessness page.
- Committee Activity
Encampment Procedures were noted at the Homelessness table as complete per the HHCAB Work Plan.
The Affordable Housing and Homelessness Strategic Plan is a City of Fairfax initiative developed in partnership with consultant firm Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA) to address affordable housing needs and homelessness, building on a prior Homelessness Task Force report that produced 38 recommendations (10 prioritized).
- Developing HHCAB's Workplan
HHCAB noted progress already made on encampment procedures; a motion passed at the June meeting to recommend a 14-day notice of encampment removal in lieu of the existing 5-day notice. HHCAB leadership will present this recommendation to City Council at the annual update in October or November 2025.
- Encampment Procedures Presentation
The board voted to amend the Encampment Procedures to adopt a 14-day removal notice (replacing the existing 5-day notice) and to add language emphasizing retention of personal belongings during encampment removals; additional topics including shelter availability, safe parking, and data tracking were discussed but no further formal action was taken.
passedIncorporate a 14-day notice of encampment removal in lieu of the existing 5-day notice into the Encampment Procedures.✓ Light✓ Lacroix✓ Delboy✓ Anderson✓ Bonaiuto✓ Vincent✓ Ihara✓ Jensen✓ Wilber✓ Derosier✓ Atwood✓ Gillespie✓ Napolitano✓ Cabelli✓ Cattaneo✓ Hatch✓ Opoku-YeboahpassedAdd language to the Encampment Procedures regarding the retention of personal belongings.✓ Light✓ Lacroix✓ Delboy✓ Anderson✓ Bonaiuto✓ Vincent✓ Ihara✓ Jensen✓ Wilber✓ Derosier✓ Atwood✓ Gillespie✓ Napolitano✓ Cabelli✓ Cattaneo✓ Hatch✓ Opoku-Yeboah
In full
At the June 2, 2025 HHCAB Regular Meeting, the board voted unanimously on two motions: (1) to replace the existing 5-day encampment removal notice with a 14-day notice, and (2) to add language to the Encampment Procedures emphasizing the retention of personal belongings during removals. Additional topics discussed at that meeting—including shelter availability, safe parking, and data tracking—did not result in formal action. The 14-day notice was implemented in July 2025 per City Manager direction, and encampment FAQs were added to the city website's Housing & Homelessness page.
HHCAB leadership planned to present the recommendation to City Council at an annual update in October or November 2025. By February 2, 2026, the Encampment Procedures were formally noted as complete per the HHCAB Work Plan.