Creating a compassionate Fairfax for ALL humans

Increasing the number of nonprofits in a city reduces crime

Researchers studying data from 264 cities over the course of 20 years found that for every 10 additional nonprofits there is a 9 percent reduction in the murder rate, a 6 percent reduction in the violent crime rate, and a 4 percent reduction in the property crime rate.

Equity in zoning is best practice

The American Planning association recommends allowing a broad range of social services, including those for addiction and recovery, with few restrictions in a wide variety of zoning districts.  They state that these orgs should not be subject to public hearings or development standards that are not also applied to other types of outpatient facilities. 

Peer mental health support is effective

Research finds that peer support workers are better than professionally qualified staff at promoting mental health recovery outcomes such as hope, empowerment, self-esteem and self-efficacy, social inclusion, and engagement

Homelessness reduction program highlight

A Washington Post article about the growing unhoused population and a successful program at union station helping to address it.  

10 strategies to end chronic homelessness

National Association of Counties recommends 10 solutions to homelessness that cities and counties can implement, including increased outreach, partnerships, and stigma reduction.

People in recovery from substance use disorder are a protected class.

The Americans with Disabilities Act website states that if a city refuses to allow addiction services to open after city residents complained that they don’t want “those kinds of people” in their area, the city may be in violation of the ADA. See question 4, example D.