Loudoun County, a bustling suburb of Washington, DC, is one of America’s wealthiest counties. Loudoun, which is home to one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing data center hubs, generates a tremendous amount of wealth, with a median household income of $147,111 and a cost of living that is 12.3% higher than the US average. Despite these ostensibly impressive statistics, the county continues to suffer from the underlying condition that affects the entire country. Poverty, defined as a lack of financial resources and essentials for a certain standard of living, persists even in America’s “richest county.” To learn more about how poverty transcends wealth barriers, I went to the only Homeless Shelter in Loudoun County, Virginia.
Located in Leesburg across from the airport, this shelter provides a variety of free services to the homeless such as showers, food, laundry, and clothing. The shelter serves as a drop-in center from 8:30AM-5:00PM, as people can utilize resources in the facility such as accomplishing work on computers or even watching television. The drop-in center provides a suitable destination for the homeless to fulfill their daily needs. However, after the 5:00PM mark, people that are not listed as residents are forced to leave. Crystal Colon, the residential coordinator of the center, states: “That’s the worst part. It breaks my heart having to force people to leave.” Afterwards, some people sleep in their cars, some stay with friends, sleep outside on a bench, or visit establishments that are open all night. Some used to set up their own tents in the “tent city” behind the shelter before the county forced its dispersion. Colon denoted how it was like a community, being organized and kept clean before its demise. There was a living room space, dining area with a table, and tents spaced out. In order to register as a resident, the impoverished must obtain a referral base with the county, which is then sent to the shelter who reaches out to the individual/family. Currently, the shelter is at capacity with there being an extensive wait list. This center is Loudoun County’s only shelter that provides residential services for single men and women.
The shelter accommodates a single men’s section, single women’s section, and a small and large family section. Homeless families who live at the shelter work during the day as they attempt to save money. Some people come from another state or area to escape a bad situation, as the shelter is not solely limited to Loudoun County residents. In addition to the drop-in center, there is also a separate building, located down from the homeless shelter. This seasonal winter facility, known as the hypothermia shelter, opens from November to March 31. The hypothermia shelter can host an impressive 36 people before it reaches its full capacity. The common age of this shelter is much younger (18-25), as these individuals are either coming from out of foster care or have been kicked out of their home. The significance behind the hypothermia shelter is vital, as it provides shelter for individuals who seek to avoid the cold winter nights.
The homeless shelter in Loudoun County, Virginia is a critical attribute in the county’s effort to combat poverty. With assistance from volunteers and other social service organizations, the opportunities provided are endless, as anyone who is struggling financially, mentally, or even physically can access the resources to get themselves on the right path. Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are also available to assist those who struggle with substance abuse. In addition, there is the Rapid Rehousing program. This service provides assistance to families and individuals as they transition from shelter to more permanent housing. The Rapid Rehousing Case Managers work closely with apartment complexes and lease holders to help clients find housing outside of our shelter. They also offer time-limited financial assistance, which may include a few months’ rent and security deposits.
I even got the chance to speak with two individuals who have utilized the homeless shelter for the recent months. Dave, a crypto investor from up-state New York, references how in his time investing he made a lot of money but then abruptly lost everything. He made his way to Loudoun County by merely riding a bike but not after getting all of his belongings stolen. “It was kind of like a mid-life crisis – not only did I lose literally everything I built up, but I had plans,” he said. He expressed that the next step for him is to build up the finances, or take up a job that the shelter offers. The shelter’s narrative is to be able to provide for a select amount of time and prompt opportunities to get you back out into the world. Both these individuals were extremely pleasant to talk to and well spoken. The other individual, Michelle, a former real-estate agent from Fredericksburg, Virginia, mentions how her experience at the shelter has been very humbling. “This place is depressing because you know what you had, and you know where you are.” Michelle also stated that she had two degrees from Marymount University. These interviews I conducted made me think differently about the stereotypical understanding that impoverished people are uneducated or are born into poverty. These individuals grew up wealthy. Sometimes, people can make the wrong decisions or be at the hands of ill-fated misfortune, losing everything in such a short amount of time. Michelle expressed, “This has been a very humbling experience for me. We both grew up rich, and now we are in a homeless shelter, so you appreciate the things you don’t have anymore.”
People have this perception that Loudoun is in a wealthy bubble, and that poverty does not extend to this area. However, there is simply poverty everywhere. The poverty in Loudoun is glorified compared to other areas, as it is augmented in more urbanized areas. Overall, poverty in the United States of America has become a dire problem. Recently, the term poverty has become synonymous with our country. In one of the world’s richest countries, approximately one out of every six people have an income that is insufficient to meet their basic needs. Without change, poverty will continue to have its effects on families in America and many will fail to receive an equal opportunity.