New Heights Campaign

After years of internal planning, we were thrilled to take our first public steps toward a brand new building with a purpose-built residential shelter, 87 affordable apartments, and 10 permanent supportive housing (PSH) units. To facilitate the redevelopment project, Carpenter’s Shelter sold our property at 930 North Henry Street to our partner, Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC). The capital generated from this sale allowed us to buy back our portion of the building, however, we still had a funding gap to cover.

To fully fund our redevelopment project, we launched the New Heights Campaign, which aimed to raise $2 million to close the funding gap. Quietly started in the summer of 2018 and publicly launched in May 2019, the New Heights Campaign has made exceptional progress and has exceeded our goal! The support from our neighbors and the community helped us reach above and beyond our ultimate goal of $2 million.

Together, we’ve made a commitment to support the homeless men, women, and children who need our help today and better serve those who will need us for years to come. 

 

Recognition

There is still the opportunity to commit to the New Heights Campaign. Contributions are welcome online or by check. All donations of $5,000 or more will be included on a special donor wall to be displayed in the new, purpose-built shelter.

 

Relocation

While our permanent location is under construction, Carpenter’s Shelter has been located at our temporary location, the former Macy’s at Landmark Mall. Carpenter’s Shelter continues to offer all of our services at our temporary location.

We are grateful for all of our partners who made the relocation a possibility and are enormously pleased that we were able to find a location that allows our resident, staff, and volunteers an uninterrupted flow to our 24 hours a day, 365 days a year operation.

Relocation Background

Kerry Donley, a former member of Carpenter’s Shelter’s Board of Directors, spearheaded the search for our temporary home and facilitated early conversations with representatives from The Howard Hughes Corporation ®, owner of the shuttered Landmark Mall.

Mark Bulmash, Senior Vice President of Development at The Howard Hughes Corporation said, “We greatly value the significant work for which Carpenter’s Shelter is known and share its commitment to forward-thinking, innovative solutions for issues facing our communities today.”

This sentiment led The Howard Hughes Corporation to lease part of the former Macy’s site to Carpenter’s Shelter and inspired its ongoing, active participation in the ever-evolving process of renovating and inhabiting a former department store.

Architecture firm Cooper Carry creatively re-imagined the unconventional space and designed the temporary shelter to include individual and family rooms, David’s Place day shelter for our chronically homeless clients, bathrooms, laundry facilities, common spaces, administrative offices, and more. Contractor L.F. Jennings turned Cooper Carry’s design into a reality and H.H. Logistics facilitated a seamless move into the new space.

Carpenter’s Shelter officially relocated to our temporary location on Saturday, June 9, 2018!

 

Future Home

While Carpenter’s Shelter continues to offer uninterrupted services from our temporary home in the former Macy’s at Landmark Mall, the New Heights redevelopment project continues at our 930 North Henry Street property. The property redevelopment process began August 29, 2018 and is scheduled for completion at the end of October 2020.

Our partner Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC) purchased the property, demolished the building, and began construction. This effort, known as New Heights, will result in a brand new building that includes a purpose-built shelter, 87 affordable apartments, 10 permanent supportive housing (PSH) units, administrative offices, and an underground parking garage. Carpenter’s Shelter will operate the shelter and provide services to the tenants of the 10 PSH units. AHDC will own and operate the affordable housing apartment community named The Bloom. The community will feature a community room, 3 outdoor terraces, a 1,600 square foot production garden, and a playground.

By adding a new stock of affordable apartments, the New Heights property redevelopment project addresses the issue of affordable housing scarcity, a major barrier to ending homelessness in the City of Alexandria. The new building was designed to fit architecturally with the rest of the area and the redevelopment plan complies with the intentions and guidelines outlined in the Braddock Metro Neighborhood Plan.

Want to see more? Click HERE to see New Images/3D floorplans for The Bloom, courtesy of AHDC. 

 

Leadership

In the News

Carpenter’s Shelter’s New Heights Campaign and property redevelopment project have appeared in The New York Times and featured in local news! Browse the articles below to learn more!

“Amazon Donates $300K for Future Alexandria Shelter, Low-Cost Apartments,” Neal Augenstein, WTOP (18 November, 2019)

“Amazon Donates $300,000 to Homeless Shelter and Affordable Apartments in Alexandria,” Heather Graf, WJLA (18 November, 2019)

“Homeless Facility in Alexandria gets $300,000 boost from Amazon,” Antonio Olivo, Washington Post (18 November, 2019)

“Amazon Makes Major Donation To Alexandria’s Homeless Shelter,” Emily Leayman, Patch Del Ray (18 November, 2019)

“A Macy’s Goes From Mall Mainstay to Homeless Shelter,” Michael Corkery, The New York Times (13 June 2018)

“Carpenter’s Shelter Launches $2 Million ‘New Heights’ Campaign,” Alexandria Living Magazine (15 May 2019)

“Carpenter’s Shelter Launches New Fundraising Effort For New Building,” Emily Leayman, Patch (14 May 2019)

“Carpenter’s Shelter Launches New Heights Campaign,” James Cullum, The Zebra (10 May 2019)

“Ground Breaks in Alexandria for New Carpenter’s Shelter and Bloom Affordable Apartments,” Mary Wadland, The Zebra (30 August 2018)

“Carpenter’s Shelter, AHDC Project Breaks Ground,” Alexa Epitropoulos, Alexandria Times (30 August 2018)

“Partnership Gives Landmark Mall New Purpose,” Betsey Micklem, ACT for Alexandria for Alexandria Gazette Packet (20 August 2018)

“AHDC to Break Ground on The Bloom, New Carpenter’s Shelter,” Alexandria Times (16 August 2018)

“Affordable Housing and New Carpenter’s Shelter to Break Ground,” Emily Leayman, Patch (16 August 2018)

“In Metro DC, a Dead Mall Now Provides Housing for the Homeless,” Steve Dubb, Nonprofit Quarterly (11 July 2018)

“The Future of Suburban Homelessness? As Malls Empty, an Old Macy’s Becomes a Homeless Shelter,” Terrence McCoy, The Washington Post (6 July 2018)

“Empty Macy’s is Turned into a Homeless Shelter in Virginia,” Luciani Gomes, BBC (5 July 2018)

“Carpenter’s Shelter Gains ‘New Heights’: Macy’s Move Will Help Transition Shelter to New Multi-Story Home,” Amanda M. Socci, The Zebra (1 July 2018)

“Old Landmark Mall Macy’s Turns Into Homeless Shelter,” Janice Park, WUSA9 (18 June 2018)

“Carpenter’s Shelter Moves to Landmark Mall,” James Cullen, Alexandria Gazette Packet (18 June 2018)

“Carpenter’s Shelter Begins New Heights Redevelopment Project, Relocates to Landmark Mall,” AlexandriaNews.org (7 June 2018)

“Alexandria Homeless Shelter to Temporarily Move into Landmark Mall,” Kelly Rule, DCW50 (25 May 2018)

“Alexandria Homeless Shelter Moving Into Shuttered Landmark Mall Next Month,” Erica Jones, NBC4 Washington (24 May 2018)

“Carpenter’s Shelter to Move into Landmark Mall in June,” Alexandria Living Magazine (7 May 2018)

“Homeless Shelter Expected to Open in Landmark Mall’s Shuttered Macy’s by Spring,” Katie Arcieri, Washington Business Journal, (13 Feb 2018)

“Carpenter’s Shelter Eyes Landmark Mall for Temporary Move,” Alexa Epitropoulos, Alexandria Times (5 Oct 2017)

“Carpenter’s Shelter to Temporarily Relocate to Former Landmark Macy’s Store,” Carla Branch, AlexandriaNews.org (27 Sept 2017)

“Macy’s at Landmark Mall Could Become Homeless Shelter,” Mike Carter-Conneen, ABC7 (26 Sept 2017)

“Empty Landmark Mall Macy’s May Get Interim Life as a Homeless Shelter,” Karen Goff, Washington Business Journal (25 Sept 2017)

“Carpenter’s Shelter Project Approved in Alexandria,” Vernon Miles, Alexandria Gazette Packet (12 Dec 2016)

 

Press Kit

If you’re looking to cover Carpenter’s Shelter’s New Heights Campaign and the building redevelopment project, please use the resources below or contact our Communications and Development Associate Steve Valley by email or phone at (703) 548-7500 for assistance.

Press Releases:

Community Pushes Carpenter’s Shelter’s New Heights Campaign Beyond Goal (December 2019)

Carpenter’s Shelter Reaches Bold Fundraising Goal With Generous Amazon Gift (November 2019)

Carpenter’s Shelter Launches New Heights Campaign (May 2019)

Carpenter’s Shelter Begins New Heights Redevelopment Project, Relocates to Landmark Mall (June 2018)

Quotations:

“Carpenter’s Shelter has always been a reflection of the community’s generosity. New Heights and the redevelopment are in that same vein. So many caring people are coming together and that support says a lot about who we are. I love it!” – Shannon Steene, Executive Director, Carpenter’s Shelter

“We are grateful to our early donors who have helped us reach our 70% milestone. Now as we enter the exciting public phase of the campaign we look to the larger community to join us to help our neighbors in need and support the bright future of Carpenter’s Shelter. Together we can reach New Heights!” – Meghan Hendy, Co-Chair, New Heights Campaign

Images:

 

Carpenter’s Shelter’s celebrates the success of our New Heights Campaign with Fran Becker, New Heights Committee Co-Chair, Meghan Hendy, New Heights Committee Co-Chair, Steve Hartell, Director of U.S. Public Policy for Amazon, and Shannon Steene, Executive Director of Carpenter’s Shelter.

On December 4, 2019, our donors, Board of Directors and Staff celebrate the success of our New Heights Campaign.

 

Campaign Donors

We would like to offer a huge, heart-felt thank you to all of the donors who supported the New Heights Campaign! Please contact Sienna Brown, Development Associate via email for any errors or questions.

$5,000 and above

Elizabeth Wilmot & Peter Adler	Jim & Sheila Fleming	(In Memory of Sam Davidson) The Motley Fool
Amazon	Neil & Kelly Gillespie	Robert Musser – The Musser Fund
Anonymous 1	Good Shepherd Lutheran	Timothy R. O’Hara
Anonymous 2	The Goodhart Group	Daniel E. Offutt, III Charitable Trust
Anonymous 3	Grace Community Church	OLIFF PLC
Anonymous 4	Grant Thornton Public Sector LLC	Passport Auto Group
Anonymous 5	Rita Grazda	Philip L. Graham Fund
Anonymous 6	Joan & Jeff Greene	Jennifer & JB Poersch
Guy Anthony & Asha Sharma Anthony	Charlotte Grzebien	Revada Foundation – Dan & Gloria Logan
Ginny & Michael Royal and Mary & Neil Aronov	Mary Stuart Hall	Louise Roseman
J. David Bailey	Steve McMahon, Cynthia Alksne & Beth Hamed	Rotary Club of Alexandria
Fran & Rich Becker	In Honor of Val & Dottie Hawkins	Ruth Kane & John Runyan
In Honor of Contributions from Beth El Hebrew Congregation	Val & Florence Hawkins	Carson Lee Fifer, Jr. & Sarah E. Savage
Robert & Sabine Bisson	Heanue-Munson Family	Matt & Amy Sheldon
The Booma Family	Meghan & Patrick Hendy	Elizabeth & John Siegel
Robert & Karen Boyd	Lisa & Phil Herget	Hon. David G. Speck & Marcia Neuhaus Speck
Hilary & Robert Brandt	Hoffman Family	Earl W. Stafford
John & Lynn Brennan	John & Diane Hynes	Barry & Margaret Stauffer
Lisa Jacobs & Paul Brinkman	William & Janney Jay	The Steene Family
Michael & Patty Carr	The Keene Family	Greg & Pam Sullivan
Caudron Megary Blackburn Wealth Management	Maria Bothwell & Jeff Kline	Dr. John Sherner & Dr. Christine Thayer
Ashley & Sam Chamberlain	The Kohm Family	Jen Lachman & John Villar
The Dr. Francis P. Chiaramonte Family Foundation	Susan & Gary Labovich	Virginia Sargeant Reynolds Foundation
Adam Cole	Peter Lunt & Pilar Vasquez-Lunt	Laura Rose & Eric Wazorko
Columbia Capital	Mike & Joy Lyden	Kim & Bobby Weir
Christopher W. Brown & Mimi Conger	GEN (Ret) Stanley McChrystal & Annie McChrystal	The Wells Fargo Foundation
Cotton & Company LLP	Gibson Pate McMahon	Ada L & Albert M Wibel Foundation
Spencer & Carol Dickerson	The McMurray Family	Nancy DiPaolo & David Williams
Element 84, Inc.	Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation	In Memoriam, Doctor Wineland
Mr. & Mrs. E. Tazewell Ellett	K.C. & Collin Moller	The Jonathan F. Wolcott Family
Finn & Violet	The Moody Family

 

$1,000 to $4,999

Access Accounting Services	Michael & Maureen Doyle	Eli Peterson
Agudas Achim Congregation	Shannon C. Doyle	Phase Foundation
Mary Alexandre	Steven Duffield	Andrea & Scott Ponsor
Alfred Street Baptist Church	Rob Dugger	St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Nancy Appleby – Appleby Law PLLC	Shawn & Sirine Fisher	Stephanie Schriock
Lydia Arnold	Edward D. Fletcher, Jr.	Kristine Schulz
William Ashford	Stephen Frerichs	Peter & Nancy Sheldon
Patricia Barbarowicz	Tom Gardner	Moira A. Skinner
David & Beth Bartlett	Charlotte A. Hall	Greg Souchack
Maribeth Bersani	William Hecht	The Thorpe & Sramek Family
Richard G. Bert	Matthew Jacobson & Susan Heitker	Ingre Stackhouse
Mary Ann Bier	Robin Z. Hellmuth	Anita Stribling
Deborah Bombard	Emaline Davis Henard	Phil Sunderland
Edith Bullard	Holland & Knight LLP	Michael Syracuse
Lisa Chimento	Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill	Jim Taylor
Christ Church	Raymond A. Jacobsen, Jr.	Willie Covington & Dr. Sharon Taylor
Christ the King Church	Susan Kelly	Kristin & Chris Teeters
In Honor of Fran Becker by The Clark Family	Edward V.A. Kussy	Mark Tonsetic
Commonwealth Baptist Church	Kye Lee-Abboushi	Transurban
Ed Creskoff	Claire Lesuer	Walter P. Tyree IV
Jeff Creskoff	Julie Angus & Joseph Markoski	Jennifer A. Vasiloff
James & Suzanne Davis	John McEvoy	George Walker
Alison & Marc DeCourcey	Gary & Noelle McGlynn	Janet T. Walker, LPC
Windsor Demaine	Michelle J. Millben, Esq.	Washington Street United Methodist Church
Catherine & Henry Desmarais	Hannah Moore	Westminster Presbyterian Church
Spencer & Carol Dickerson	Jim & Nikki Morrell	Yes&
Beverly Dietz	Pamela Nolan
Joyce Douglas	Nordstrom

 

$500 to $999

The Amunson Family	Herman L. Fitzgerald, Jr.	Marie W. Ridder
Susan H. Anderson	James B. Flowers	Alice Rogalski
Willie F. Bailey, Sr.	Philip Gorman	Rhonda L. Rose
The Bauer Family	Sue Dishuck Gunter	Karen Sauers
Malissa R. Bennett & David S. Berezansky	Dena Hays	Leslie M. Schweitzer
Timothy C. Bickham	Jane S. Jordan	Mary Sexton
Sam & Renee Brathwaite	George J. Keller	Ankur Shah
Joan C. Bready	James & Catherine Kelley	Reita Shaw
Craig Brightup	Aaron & Maria Leibowitz	Pete & Ruthellen Sheldon
Claire Cannon	Jim & Melissa MacGregor	Jennifer Siegel
The Cecil Family Giving Fund	Donald C. Macvittie	Donald F. Simpson
Mary Lee Charles	Kathryn Miller	St. John’s Lutheran Church
The Clancey Family	Kristene K. Miller	The Stratford Family
Elizabeth M. Copps	Patricia E. Moore	Jesse & Oron Strauss
Gyana Dash	Genevieve Morelli	William G. Susling
Brenda Doherty	James & Diane Murphy	Patricia Tracey
Edward Donahue	Old Town Business & Professional Associates	Tom & Maureen Waters
Susan Duboc	Rose I. Ramos	James L. Weber
Kary & Jim Ewalt	Peter F. Ramsberger	The Whitley Family
Firefighters & Friends Holiday Rescuers	Diana & Roland Reynolds	Susan Witek

 

Below $500

Joan G. Sprigle Adair Trustee	Debra Hill	Michele Pilc
Alexandria Business & Professional Women’s Network	William J. Hill	P. Pilone
Alisha & Cameron Alford	David Hohman	Angela Pittman
Steven Akey	Marianne H. Holmes	Amy F. Poe
Thomas E. Anderson	Eleanor J. Holsopple	Louise A. Priest
Priscilla Andre-Colton	Jill Hoover	Simone & Steven Putnam
Anonymous 7	Rollin L. Huntington	John F. Quinn
Susan Athy	Thomas W. Hussey	Claire Randall
Manuel & Cheri Avila	Lindsay Hutter	George Rasmussen
Karen Bailey	Cynthia Ingersoll	Tovah R. Ravitz-Meehan
Jane F. Baird	Lauren Irish	Lauren Ray
Diana S. Banat	Anne Jillson	Robert Redmond
Jeffrey R. Barnes	Nicolas Jimenez	Alice C. Reid
Brittany Baron	Christine Joachim	The Reo Family
In Honor of Mr. William Barrick	Janet Johnson	John Repetti
The Battey Family Charitable Fund	Aleksandar Jovovic	William & Patricia Rhodes
Nancy G. Berg	Barbara Kates	Jessica Richardson
Jack Berman	Maria Kazanowska	Denise Pat Rizzuto
Abraham David Bernanke	Meghan & Jeff Keller	Edward L. Roberts, Jr.
Cassie & Bradley Beychok	Kathleen Kelly	Mary Rock
Michael S. Bogdanow	Elizabeth Kiker	William D. Rogers, Jr.
Murray Bonitt	Annette L. Kilian	Donovan Roley
Glennis G. Botelho	Karen Kinard	Carlos Rosales
Ellen Bradley	Katherine M. Kirchgraber	Kathleen M. Russell
Barbara Brenman	Ann Korky	Cathryn Sacra
William V. Brierre, Jr.	Joan M. Kotze	Joyce C. Sanchez
Timothy Brightbill	Johnel Lance	Suellen S. Savukas
Alan M. Brody	Mary Langley	Jacqueline Schenkel
Kara Brosmer	Patricia Larsen	Diana Schwanhausser
James T. Brown	Jenifer T. Larson	Seizure Tracker LLC
Emily Buckman	Joseph A. Lastelic	Robert Shapiro
Jaclyn Buckreis	Robert Harry Latiff	Marilyn R. Sharp
Sandra M. Buerle	Jean A. Lee	Melissa Shelby
Amoret Bell Bunn	Belaine J. Lehman	Robin Shultz
Barbara A. Burke	Ernest J. Lehmann	David W. Siegrist
Phylius Burks	Judith Lelchook	Jane N. Sigmon
Rebecca Burns	Robert Leonard	Charles E. Silva
Mary Caldwell	Caroyln M. Lethert	Etheline L. Simon
Elizabeth M. Calvey	Cecilia Lewis	Linda Simon
Caroline Carbaugh	Jessica Lewis	Noah Simon
William S. Carnell	Cynthia R. Lilley	Mark Silberer
Marcia A. Carpentier	Robert Lineberry	Elizabeth C. Smith
Judy Carter	Ann L. Loughlin	Jeanette E. Smith
Elizabeth Cassidy	Evelyn Luis	Maggie Smith
George & Marguerite Chadwick	AnnMarie Maccubbin	Gisle Sorli
Maria Clark	Kathy Madrick	Ronald Southwick
Stephen Cloud	Mary Catherine Malin	Susan J. Spear
Jim Coakley	Joseph Mancias, Jr	John D. Spevacek
Carolyn Coberly	Shirley Marshall	St. Paul Christian Center
Barbara Coffey	Howard Mason	Peter Stackhouse
William Collins	Trenton Mason	Patrcia A. Sugrue
Jill Cook	Camille Massie	Frank W.A. Swoboda
Barbara & Edward Cotter	Arra Ann Mazor	Alfred W. Tate
Sgt. Maj (Ret) Linda Cotton	David & Lynn McCreedy	Haskell Taub
Nancy Lee Coughlin	Jennifer McCulloch	Detra C. Taylor
Brenda Gale Cox	Mary Ann McDonald	Susan S. Thompson
Teri & Rob Culbertson	Sarah McElwain	Channa Threat
Barbara Currie	Robert McKernan	Veronica Tinsley
Joseph B. Daley	Arin F. McNamara	Linda M. Tolkan
Bruce Cameron Davidson	Catherine C. McPeek	John Tolleris
Rebecca S. Davies	June McSwain	Joseph & Patricia Toole
Nanette L. Davis	Mark E. Meranda	Susan G. Tuttle
John Decker	Rachel A. Mercer	Barbara Tyeryar
Alex Deringer	Patricia Meyers	Catherine Tyler
Assumpta Ann Dermody	April Miller	Meredith Upchurch
Carolyn Maurer Devilbiss	Jeff Miller	Anne Marie Van Atta
Kerry & Eva Donley	Steve Miller	Marian Van Landingham
Tracie Dorfman	Barbara S. Moffet	Steven P. Varrecchio
Lisa Dougherty	Christina Mooney	Sally Veith
Basil Eliopoulos	Joan Moore	Elmira Vogtmann
Lynda Erinoff	Erin Morehouse	Kenneth Wainstein
Carol Erion	Patricia Mueller	Mary A. Warner
Margaret Errington	Marsha Murphy	Patricia Waterfield
Maria Evans	Joan Myers	Carol J. Weber
Gerald W. Fauth	Patricia Myers-Hayer	David Weingart
Michael Fierro	Charles Nash	Fowler West
Janice R. Foley	Thomas Neer	George West
Brian Foster	Carol O’Shaughnessy	In Honor of Kim Weir
Darlene Freeman	Leslie A. O’Sullivan	Louise P. Welch
Catherine Garland	Charlotte E. Olson	Richard T. Welborn
Brian Gaston	Ruby Osia	Terry White
Nick Gehrig	Col (Ret) Tofie M. Owen	Cliff Whitham
Nancy Giblin	Faye M. Padgett	Rance Rothwell Willis
Pamela B. Gilbert	M. Ann Parham	Bill & Terese Winslow
Wendy Ginsberg	Kristen Parker	Sharon W. Witiw
Barbara & Stephen Glomb	Mary-Parker Lamm	Margaret A. Wohler
Steve Greanias	Robert Pascal	Xavier S. Wong
Richard A. Green	Bob & Gay Pasley	Joyce M. Wood
Judith P. Grey	Ellen Patrick	Brian Woodburn
Carol Goodloe	Hal W. Pattison	David B. Wynne
Lynnette Goree	Gwen & Jerome Paulson Charitable Fund	Sandra L. Yamamoto
Priscilla H. Hall	Carrie Pedroza	Janice Yeadon
Marilyn J. Hansel	John Pellett	Martha G. Young
Jean Hartung	Anita I. Pelley	Kara Youree
In Honor of Val Hawkins	Rebecca L. Penick	Elizabeth Yu
Glenna Hecht	Mary Ann Phillips	Stratis Zervos
Mary Page Hickey	Jeannette M. Pickett	Harold B. Zimmerman

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

What will happen during this redevelopment project?

Carpenter’s Shelter residents, staff, and services will move out of our current building at 930 North Henry Street, relocate to a temporary space at the former Macy’s at Landmark Mall, demolish the current building, and build a brand new, purpose-built multistory building on the property.

 

What is the time frame for the project?

Carpenter’s Shelter moved out of our longtime location at 930 North Henry Street and into the former Macy’s at Landmark Mall at the beginning June 2018. The demolition of our current building and the construction of the new building will take about 24 months. The new building will be ready for use in mid-2020. We will move back at that time.

 

Will Carpenter’s Shelter stay open during the construction of the new building?

Yes! Carpenter’s Shelter will stay open during the relocation and construction of the new building. Only our physical location will change.

 

Will Carpenter’s Shelter add or remove any services at the temporary location? At the new building?

Carpenter’s Shelter will offer all of its current services at the temporary location. At the new building, Carpenter’s Shelter will add services for residents such as offering 10 permanent supportive housing apartments.

 

Are the facilities at the temporary location different from the current building?

The temporary location is similar in size and feature similar spaces including individual and family rooms, David’s Place day shelter, bathrooms, laundry facilities, common spaces, staff offices, and more. The most significant change will be the lack of a full commercial kitchen. Instead, a scaled-down kitchen will have induction heating appliances, crockpots, and more.

 

How does Carpenter’s Shelter deal with changes in residents’ public transportation needs?

Carpenter’s Shelter has arranged for a daily shuttle for our day shelter (and eventually Winter Shelter) participants, coordinated with DASH to ensure appropriate area coverage, and doubled our transportation support budget. These efforts promise that everyone gets where they need to go!

 

Will youth residents need to change schools during the temporary relocation?

No, our youth residents will not change schools during the temporary relocation. Instead, they will stay at their current schools to preserve as much stability as possible. 

 

Will the temporary relocation impact the Landmark Mall redevelopment?

No, the Landmark Mall owners assure us that Carpenter’s Shelter temporary relocation will not impact their redevelopment plans.

 

What will the new building be like?

Carpenter’s Shelter’s current building at 930 North Henry Street will be torn down and a brand new multistory building with an underground parking garage will be erected in its place. The purpose-built shelter and administrative offices for Carpenter’s Shelter will be on the first floor of the building. The upper floors will feature 97 affordable apartments and 10 permanent supportive housing apartments. The 97 affordable apartments will range in size from studio to three bedroom units and will be available for those making 40-60% of the area median income.

 

Will Carpenter’s Shelter run the apartments above the shelter?

Carpenter’s Shelter will not manage the apartments above the shelter. The 97 affordable apartments will make up an apartment complex named The Bloom, which our partner, the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation, will own and operate. Carpenter’s Shelter will oversee the 10 permanent supportive housing apartments and provide services to those residents.

 

What is permanent supportive housing?

Permanent supportive housing is a solution for people who have been unable to transition to stable housing in the community because of significant challenges such as disabling mental health, substance abuse, and/or other chronic health conditions. When a person enters permanent supportive housing, they move into a rent-controlled unit, pay a small percentage of the rent, and have access to Carpenter’s Shelter’s comprehensive supportive services.

 

Is there a time limit on permanent supportive housing occupancy?

No, permanent supportive housing is truly permanent. Residents will sign a legally binding lease and can remain tenants as long as they meet its conditions.

 

Will the new building match the rest of the development in the area?

Yes, the redevelopment plan complies with the intentions and guidelines outlined for the community as articulated in the Braddock Metro Neighborhood Plan.

 

Is there a need for affordable housing in the area?

Yes and the lack of affordable housing is one of the greatest barriers to our residents’ sustainable self-sufficiency in the community. Since the Braddock Metro Neighborhood Plan was approved in 2008, approximately 1,000 new market rate apartments have been constructed in the area; only 10 of these are designated affordable apartments. The market rate apartment rent in this area ranges from approximately $1,500 for a studio apartment to $2,500 for a two bedroom apartment.

 

Why would Carpenter’s Shelter go through all of this? Isn’t the current building sufficient?

The Carpenter’s Shelter Board of Directors and staff made the decision to redevelop after careful deliberation. Ultimately, our belief that homelessness is fundamentally a lack of affordable housing determined our course of action. Having access to an additional 97 affordable apartments within our community will create an extraordinary benefit for our residents.