Encampment Procedures
The Encampment Procedures topic concerned the City's rules governing the removal of homeless encampments, specifically the notice period given to residents before removal and the handling of their personal 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 Housing and Homelessness Strategic Plan is a City of Fairfax initiative to develop a comprehensive affordable housing and homelessness strategy, carried out in partnership with national consulting firm Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA).
- 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 retention of personal belongings during removals. Additional topics discussed at that meeting—shelter availability, safe parking, and data tracking—did not result in formal action. By September 2025, the 14-day notice had been implemented per City Manager direction, and encampment FAQs were being added to the city's Housing & Homelessness webpage.
HHCAB leadership planned to present the board's recommendation to City Council at the annual update in October or November 2025. As of February 2, 2026, the Encampment Procedures were formally noted as complete on the HHCAB Work Plan.