With the help of four local home builders, HomeAid Northern Virginia (HANV) upgraded a Community Lodgings multi-unit supportive housing property in Alexandria, Va.
HANV brought together Brookefield Residential, Evergreene Homes, M/I Homes, and Richmond American Homes to help renovate the 10,446-square foot building in the city’s Del Ray neighborhood. The $650,000-plus renovation included a complete upgrade of the property’s six existing affordable housing units, as well as the reconfiguration of space to create a seventh two-bedroom unit – enabling more families to call the property “home.”
For decades, Community Lodgings has lifted families from homelessness and instability to independence and self-sufficiency through its affordable housing and transitional housing options, as well as community outreach and youth education programs. This project is HANV’s fourth with Community Lodgings and is the first time HANV has organized a formal consortium of multiple builders to co-lead as joint project “Builder Captains.” The City of Alexandria, BB&T, and the Virginia Housing Development Authority also contributed funds for the project.
"The impact this renovation has on our families is incredible," said Lynn Thomas, executive director of Community Lodgings, in a statement. "I grew up in affordable housing in southeast DC, and know how important it is for a low-income family to live in a nice, safe house. We are all so grateful to HomeAid Northern Virginia, the builders, and the many other supporters who made this happen."
The renovated units, through a special partnership with local home staging company Staged Interior, are fully furnished.
An onsite “learning center” was also upgraded, enabling families to take advantage of after school and youth mentoring programs, daily nutritious meals, and computer and English as a Second Language classes for families.
“The renovated property will provide housing stability for individuals and families who are transitioning out of homelessness and working toward self-sufficiency,” said Kristyn Burr, executive director of HANV, in a statement. “Through collaboration with Community Lodgings, with our multiple builder partners, HANV was able to take on this large, high-impact project. This is a great example of the spirit of cooperation: local homebuilders putting aside natural business competitiveness to work together, and work with HANV, Community Lodgings and with the City of Alexandria to benefit local families and improve the local community.”
HANV builds and renovates homeless shelters and supportive housing facilities via the donated expertise, labor, and resources of local home builders, enabling nonprofit service providers like Community Lodgings to apply budget to programs and services rather than to construction.
A ribbon cutting ceremony, featuring local officials, community advocates, home builders, and construction partners that provided labor, resources, and expertise to the project, was held on Sept. 19.
