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Speakers press Loudoun supervisors to expand hypothermia and family shelters amid rising homelessness
Summary
Advocates and a former Homeless Services Center worker told the Board of Supervisors the county should prioritize a permanent hypothermia shelter and a family shelter, citing past overcrowding and risks to children.
Speakers at the Loudoun County budget public hearing urged the Board of Supervisors to expand hypothermia shelter capacity and develop a permanent family shelter to protect people who would otherwise sleep outdoors during winter months.
Kirsten Langhorne, who said she lost a family member to homelessness and worked at the Loudoun Homeless Services Center in 2022–23, described nights when the facility sheltered twice as many people as normal and when children were exposed to crowded conditions in shared spaces. She told the board the hypothermia program "is necessary and it's essential that it is offered" and urged a permanent solution now that a former youth-shelter site will no longer be available.
Amanda Koren of NOVHA also asked supervisors to consider expanded hypothermia and family-shelter capacity as part of housing investments and nonprofit grant funding in the FY2026 budget.
Why it matters: Speakers linked shelter availability to immediate life-safety needs during cold weather, as well as to broader housing and human-services capacity.
What was not decided: The hearing recorded public comments only; the board did not take action at the meeting.
