Affordable Housing And New Carpenter's Shelter To Break Ground

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The building replacing the old Carpenter's Shelter location will break ground in August, the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation announced. The building will house Carpenter's shelter and The Bloom, an affordable apartment complex, at the old Carpenter's Shelter spot at 930 North Henry Street. Gov. Ralph Northam, Rep. Don Beyer and several city officials will attend the groundbreaking at 3 p.m. on Aug. 29.

The development, located close to the Braddock Road Metro, will offer 97 affordable housing units in one, two, and three bedrooms. Carpenter's Shelter will occupy the first floor, while The Bloom will have the top six floors. The building will also offer underground parking, a 1,600-square foot produce garden, a playground and community gathering spaces.

Apartments will be available to families making less than 60 percent of the area median income, which is no more than $70,320 for a family of four. 10 units will be permanent supportive housing for Carpenter’s Shelter residents ready to transition from the shelter. These residents will continue to receive services like employment counseling from Carpenter’s Shelter.

As construction gets underway at the former Carpenter's Shelter property, the shelter is temporarily moved to the vacated Landmark Mall. The shelter's lease runs through 2019, before redevelopment at the mall will begin.

Construction for the new shelter and The Bloom is expected to be finished in 2020.

Rendering via Cooper Carry, provided by Alexandria Housing Development Corporation