The Carpenter's Shelter, for years, managed to serve the region's homeless population from a renovated Dept. of Motor Vehicles building.
Then, it moved into a vacant department store in a vacant mall.
With Thursday's ribbon-cutting ceremony, the organization finally has a real home — and so do dozens of people in need of affordable housing.
The Carpenter Shelter's New Heights development at 930 N. Henry St. has a 60-bed, purpose-built shelter, which will help the organization provide much better services from a facility designed to help those struggling with homelessness.
The floors above have nearly 90 affordable apartment units and 10 permanent supportive housing units for those who are chronically homeless.
In addition to providing shelter, Carpenter's Shelter provides a variety of services including assistance with education and employment.
Recently, Shannon Steene, Carpenter’s Shelter Executive Director, received the 2020 David Bradt Nonprofit Leadership Award from the Greater Washington Community Foundation for his leadership through the organization's transition.
