FAQs

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Who can stay at Carpenter’s Shelter?

Carpenter’s Shelter provides emergency shelter to families and single adults who are experiencing homelessness in the City of Alexandria.

How long do people stay at Carpenter’s Shelter?

Carpenter’s Shelter does not have a prescribed length of stay for residents. Residents are assisted in finding permanent housing as quickly as possible. On average, single adults stay for about 2 months and families stay for about 3 months.

What happens to residents when they leave Carpenter’s Shelter?

Typically, when individuals and families leave the shelter, they transition into our Rapid Re-Housing program and receive assistance with start up housing costs and ongoing support from Carpenter’s Shelter staff. Shelter residents may transition to apartments, public housing, private rooming situations, and 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.

Why are people homeless?
There are myriad factors that can lead to homelessness including lack of affordable housing, racial inequities, unemployment, underemployment, generational poverty, domestic violence, history of incarceration, mental illness, substance use disorder, and health conditions. Generally, a series of events or conditions escalates to the point where an individual or family can no longer cover their housing expenses.
How much does it cost to run Carpenter’s Shelter?

Carpenter’s Shelter’s FY2023 organizational budget is $3.8 million including pass through rental subsidies for clients who transition to permanent housing. Please visit our Financials page to view our most recent audited financial statement and IRS form 990.

How can I make a difference?

Your time and resources are valuable. Get involved where you can have a direct and immediate impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness.

  • Donate: Our generous donors make our work possible. Individuals gifts are our largest source of funding.
  • 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!
What kind of donations do you accept?
Monetary: Please visit our donation page to learn more about financial giving.
In-Kind: Due to limited storage space, we restrict our acceptance of in-kind donations. Click here and select the In Kind tab to see a complete list of accepted items, or check out our Amazon Wishlist to send items directly to the shelter.
*Due to space constraints, we cannot accept toys or clothing. Please consider contributing to our partners, Christ House and Goodwill, both of which provide clothing to our clients.