Chantilly, VA – August 27, 2020 – This month, HomeAid Northern Virginia (HANV) completed its 150th project building and upgrading emergency shelters and supportive housing facilities for those experiencing homelessness. Together these 150 projects have enabled more than 167,000 of Northern Virginia’s most vulnerable residents – from families experiencing homelessness to victims of domestic abuse to runaway teens – to have a stable place to live, eat a healthy meal and get a safe, restful night of sleep. HANV has invested more than $18 million into improved housing options across Northern Virginian communities, ranging from construction of a brand new residence for runaway teens to updating the kitchens and bathrooms of supportive housing properties, to expanding local food pantries and installing upgraded security at domestic violence shelters.

150th project: Winchester Rescue Mission
HANV’s milestone 150th project was the recently completed renovation of the Winchester Rescue Mission in Frederick County, where HANV’s “builder captain” Dan Ryan Homes and three construction trade partners replaced flooring, repainted, and expanded storage of the 1930’s building – and donated nearly 100% of the $70,000 renovation cost. Winchester Rescue Mission provides safe and secure housing for 33 individuals, serves 50 – 80 people with its nightly dinner, and provides additional support to vulnerable members of its community through its food pantry. This project also marks HANV’s first project in Frederick County.

“Our facility is critical to carrying out our mission of supporting individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Programs such as providing meals and offering laundry and shower facilities for resident and community use are components that we feel can keep others from becoming homeless. There are so many in our community who are on the verge, so losing our ability to serve because of issues with our building would be truly devastating. This renovation is a gamechanger. The cafeteria is probably the most incredible example, with luxury plank replacing a worn concrete floor that had layers of peeling paint. We have a beautiful facility now, and all of the improvements allow us to service people more fully and more efficiently. This building is a source of pride for our whole community now, and we are so grateful.”
– Winchester Rescue Mission Executive Director Brandan Thomas

Since its founding in 2001, HomeAid Northern Virginia’s 150 projects have included upgrades and renovations to shelters and housing programs across Northern Virginia, including:

• Alexandria: Catholic Charities, Friends of Guest House, Alexandria Women’s Shelter, New Hope Housing
• Arlington County: Aspire! After School Learning, Community Residences, Doorways for Women & Families
• Fairfax County: The Brain Foundation, Community Lodgings, Final Salute, Pathway Homes
• Fauquier County: Fauquier Family Services Shelter, Fauquier Free Clinic
• Loudoun County: Loudoun Hunger Relief, Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter
• Prince William County: ACTS Women’s Empowerment Center, Youth for Tomorrow, BARN Community Housing

“We are thrilled to reach this milestone of 150 projects, but most importantly, we are proud of the impact that we’ve had and of the housing and supportive programs that our partners are able to provide across so many communities. HANV was created in 2001 as the local homebuilding industry’s effort to give back to the community by addressing the issue of homelessness. The 150 projects we’ve completed since that time bring hope and dignity to individuals and families struggling to obtain stable housing. Completed by some of the region’s best home builders and construction partners, these projects not only enhance facilities, surrounding neighborhoods and communities, but also enable resources otherwise earmarked for construction to be deployed for support services to help people get back on their feet and rebuild their lives. We accomplish this work with the support of the hundreds of home builders and construction trade partners who step up to the plate again and again to share their skills and resources.”
– Kristyn Burr, Executive Director and CEO of HomeAid Northern Virginia

The charitable arm of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, HomeAid Northern Virginia builds and renovates programmatic spaces of nonprofits directly serving those affected by homelessness. Thanks in large part to the donated expertise, labor and resources of homebuilders and trade partners (suppliers, manufacturers, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, etc.), HANV projects enable significant savings on construction costs. This allows these nonprofits to allocate their scarce resources on programming and supportive interventions such as job skills training and mental health services that improve lives and help transition people out of homelessness, rather than on construction/renovation costs.

For a complete listing of HomeAid projects in Northern Virginia, visit https://homeaidncr.org/impact/shelter-projects/

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Celebrate this 150th project milestone and support HomeAid’s mission to build solutions to end homelessness by donating $150. Together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. To make every dollar go that much further, HomeAid Northern Virginia’s Board of Directors has joined together to offer a dollar-for-dollar matching gift, up to $25,000.

Contact:
Shelley Ducker, HomeAid Northern Virginia, 202.255.0561

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Find more before and after photos of the 2020 HomeAid renovation of Winchester Rescue Mission here!