Hudgins Says Tax Rate Savings Can Go Towards Ending County Homelessness

The tax rate in Fairfax County is going down, and Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins says households could use the difference to help the homeless.

The county  Board of Supervisors adopted its Fiscal Year 2012 Budget earlier this week, establishing a Tax Rate of $1.07 / $100.00, a full two cents lower than the tax rate recommended by County Executive Anthony Griffin. 

Each cent of the tax rate is estimated to be valued at $19.3 million.  Hence the $1.07 real estate tax rate will realize approximatly $40 million less revenue for underfunded and unfunded county programs.

Hudgins’ estimates her household will save $116 as a result of the tax rate cut. Hudgins says there are still numerous items that the county is unable to fund,  the Initiative to Prevent and End Homelessness still has funding challenges.

Hudgins says she would rather help fund the unmet needs of the county.

 “I am convinced that if we can tell our citizens just how much we can accomplish together when we each are willing to contribute a small increase of one or two pennies of our tax rate, there are many out there who will understand and join in the shared responsibility to support the many needs of our community,” Hudgins said in a statement.

 Hudgins will contribute her property tax savings to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership on Ending  Homelessness. She asked her colleagues to join her by simply contributing the difference realized from the current rate of $1.09 and the adopted FY2012 rate of $1.07.

  “I have chosen the homeless programs because I see the struggles of those in need for housing and all the perils families are facing each day from the window of my office," she said. "Imagine what could happen if we each made the same request to our places of worship, or with our offices, housing advocates, and social networks."

 Checks can be payable to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership on Ending Homelessness,  Fairfax County Office to Prevent & End Homelessness, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22033.