The Diversion First Housing Project (DFHP) provides permanent supportive housing to individuals involved with or at risk of involvement in the criminal justice system due to mental illness, substance abuse or developmental disabilities. The goal is to divert these individuals from incarceration by providing housing, clinical services and case management. Eligible individuals are those who are currently homeless, being released from jail/institutions or involved with Diversion First programs. Priority is given to those with recent jail release and criminal justice/emergency service involvement. Referrals are made through case managers and coordinated by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board.

1. Diversion First Housing Project (DFHP)
The Diversion First Countywide Initiative offers alternatives to incarceration for people with mental illness, substance use, or
developmental disabilities, who come into contact with the criminal justice system for low level offenses. The goal is to
intercede whenever possible to provide assessment, treatment or needed supports. Diversion First is designed to prevent
repeat encounters with the criminal justice system, improve public safety, promote a healthier community and is a more cost
effective and efficient use of public funding.
Diversion First identifies 5 “Intercept Points” where there is an opportunity to “Divert” people to treatment. These are:
 Pre-Arrest – interaction with Public Safety or Emergency Services
 Post-Arrest – initial Court Hearings/Magistrates
 Jails/Courts – Engage with and motivate individuals to seek treatment as they transition
 Post-Jail – Reentry into the community, supervision, parole, probation
 Community – Community Support Services
Thanks to the generosity of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services
Board is further supporting this county wide system effort, by adding an additional resource, HOUSING! This
program is designed to assist individuals at any of the intercept points above.
The local partner in this new housing is New Hope Housing. In addition to housing, the CSB will provide clinical and
supportive services. Working collaboratively with New Hope Housing, the CSB anticipates that the DFHP initiative will
offer resources to assist people with increasing their chances for housing stability and eliminating involvement with the
criminal justice system through supports. Note: No new service resources/dollars are associated with this permanent
supported housing. Any case manager that refers someone for this housing will need to continue their case
management and supportive services.
Primary goals for the CSB’s “Diversion First Housing Project”:
 Provide housing stability for those currently in the community or re-entering the community with no housing plan.
 Increase independence and self-sufficiency skills to allow individuals to reduce risk factors and other challenges that lead to
criminal activity.
 Promote a housing model that separates housing from clinical services.
 Promote long term stable independent housing (i.e. how long people remain in their housing).
Who is eligible?
 Individuals in current contact or at risk of criminal justice system contact (i.e. Diversion First clients).
 Individuals recently discharged from jail who are currently homeless or unstably housed.
 Individuals leaving hospitals, state institutions (such as Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute) or shelters with no
immediate housing plan.

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Prioritization criteria
Tier 1 (primary prioritization)
 Diversion First and/or Jail Diversion service recipients released from the Adult Detention Center (ADC) within the past 60
days that have no immediate housing plan.
 Frequency of contact with criminal justice system (2 or more in a 60 day time period) resulting in convictions.
 Utilization of Merrifield Crisis Response Center (MCRC), Crisis stabilization or Detoxification services ( 2 or more in a 60 day
time period)
 Any combination of 2 of the above occurring in the previous 60 days (from date of application); Frequency can be 1 or more in
each area.
Tier 2 (secondary prioritization)
 CSB Service recipients currently participating in the Supervised Release Program
 CSB service recipients from BHOP, ICM, PATH, Jail Diversion released from the Adult Detention
Center (ADC) within the past 30 days that have no immediate housing plan.
 Frequency of psychiatric hospitalizations (2 or more in a 90 day time period)
 Utilization of Merrifield Crisis Response Center (MCRC), (2 or more in a 90 day time period)
 Any of the tier 1 events occurring in the last 90 days.
Referral process
 Referring Case Manager completes CSB Community Housing Screening Form in Credible (dated within 30 days). This
form is part of the Referral to Services form, and is not a stand-alone form. Also referring Case Manager attaches:
 CSB Authorization to release information
 Adult Assessment dated within 1 year
 VI-SPDAT- [for PATH referrals only] include if previously completed and on file. A new VI-SPDAT is not required to be
completed to submit the referral for this program.
 Progress Notes [for PATH referrals only] for last 30 days
 Attach current state issued ID
 Attach social security card
 Attach current proof of income (i.e. SSI/SSDI letter) or last 3 pay stubs
 Any information the housing partner needs to be aware, so a solid plan of support can be developed for the client.
Once the above application items are compiled. Send this information as one complete packet via an
encrypted email to CSBHousinginfo@fairfaxcounty.gov with “SUSTAIN” in the subject line and the
Credible Number or fax entire application to 703-653-9500 indicating the housing program and
Credible number on the cover page. An acknowledgement of the application will occur within 5
business days. A decision regarding acceptance will be shared with the Case Manager within 10
business days or less of the committee meeting.
CSB Housing Fax: 703.653.9500 | CSB Housing Email: CSBhousinginfo@fairfaxcounty.gov.
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/diversionfirst
Geographical areas served by New Hope Housing : Alexandria, Annandale, Falls Church, Lorton Reston,
Centreville, Burke, Springfield, Fairfax, Chantilly, Herndon and Vienna (Human Service Regions 1-4).