FAQs
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You can make a difference by donating time or money to the shelter.
- Donate: Please consider making a financial contribution to Carpenter’s Shelter. Individuals gifts are our largest source of funding, so we rely on the support of generous community members to provide our less-fortunate neighbors with life-changing services dedicated to ending and preventing homelessness.
- Volunteer: Carpenter’s Shelter could not operate without our volunteers. With over 1,200 volunteers donating more than 17,000 hours every year, volunteers make up 8 full-time staff members. Please consider joining this dynamic community of volunteers who support the shelter 365 days of the year from 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Advocate: Communities change when people are concerned, informed and involved. Please consider spreading the word about Carpenter’s Shelter by sharing with your family, friends and community how Carpenter’s is proactively working to end homelessness. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on shelter happenings!
Carpenter’s Shelter does not have a prescribed length of stay for residents. Residents are encouraged to stay until they acquire the skills and savings necessary to become independent community members. On average, single adults stay for 2 months and families stay for 3 months.
Carpenter’s Shelter’s FY2021 budget is approximately $2.7 million. Please visit our Financials page to view our most recent audited financial statement and IRS form 990.
Typically, when individuals or families leave the shelter they move into:
public housing
section 8 housing
market rate housing
rooming situations for singles
transitional housing programs
permanent supportive housing units
Affordable housing is increasingly difficult to secure because of growing demand. A lack of affordable housing continues to be the number one cause of homelessness in the City of Alexandria.
Bed space is given on a first come first serve basis for individuals. Individuals seeking shelter must complete the eligibility assessment given by the staff members of Homeless Services Assessment Center. Families must be referred to Carpenter’s Shelter by the City of Alexandria.
- Poverty
- Job loss
- Underemployment
- Limited formal education
- Chronic health issues
- Substance abuse
- Mental illness
- Domestic violence
- Unstable family arrangements
- Lack of essential life skills such as parenting or money-management
- Lack of affordable housing in the City of Alexandria