HomeAid Northern Virginia has been building and renovating temporary housing for the homeless since 2001. People usually stay in housing for two years. But the Housing First model (where homeless people are placed in a permanent home before tackling their challenges) has forced the nonprofit to expand its project criteria beyond temporary housing for the homeless to any housing project for the homeless. The Housing First model encourages people to stay in their homes for as long as possible, which means fewer temporary housing projects for HomeAid. Executive director Christy Eaton says she’s already received some interest for newer projects and will continue marketing the new initiative this summer.
HomeAid, started by Northern Virginia Building Industry Association members, raises funds to cover operations, and the organization recruits local builders to donate time and materials. HomeAid recently renovated an eight-unit transitional shelter owned by Loudoun County, Va., and run by Volunteers of America. The project, valued at $250k, was completed with zero dollars from the county, $220k from the builder, and Volunteers of America raised the remaining $30k. (One of the renovated units is pictured here.) HomeAid typically manages 10 to 15 projects per year, with some of the larger projects taking at least two years to finish.
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