New Heights Redevelopment
About

Carpenter’s Shelter is pleased to announce that we have reached our $2M Campaign Goal! We are officially entering a new chapter as an organization.
In partnership with the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC), our ambitious property redevelopment project and accompanying New Heights Campaign will allow us to…
…Complete and furnish our new shelter. When construction ends in 2020, Carpenter’s Shelter will operate from a 60-bed, purpose-built homeless shelter. The floors above us will offer 87 affordable apartments and 10 permanent supportive housing (PSH) units for chronically homeless adults.
…Remove barriers for those most in need. Tenants of our PSH units will have more opportunities to thrive when we hire a full-time case manager who will assist them with chronic issues such as health, employment, and education.
…Introduce innovative new services. We will set aside dedicated funding to explore new and different ways to ending homelessness, including interventions that increase the success rate for achieving stable housing and decrease the length of stay in shelter.
Our $2 million New Heights Campaign supports more than just a new home for Carpenter’s Shelter and the families and individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a home in Alexandria. It’s a promise to our community that Carpenter’s Shelter will be around for the long haul, providing innovative new programs, partnerships, and interventions that will help end homelessness in our community.
Want to learn more? Click HERE for a downloadable PDF of our New Heights brochure.
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.