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.

On May 9, 2019, Shannon Steene, Executive Director of Carpenter’s Shelter (left), welcomes guests to the public launch of the New Heights Campaign and thanks the community for caring about safe, affordable housing.
Rendering of the south elevation of Carpenter’s Shelter’s new building at 930 N. Henry Street opening in 2020. Cooper Carry, architects.
Rendering of the north elevation of Carpenter’s Shelter’s new building at 930 N. Henry Street opening in 2020. Cooper Carry, architects.
 
 
 
 
New Heights Logo

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.