FAQs
How can Good Shepherd Housing help me?
Our mission is to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self-sufficiency. For client families who are low-income and facing homelessness, we provide affordable housing, as well as the guidance and support to help them succeed. For other client families, we provide emergency financial assistance to pay for back rent, keeping them in stable housing and preventing eviction.
Do you provide emergency housing or shelter?
We are not a shelter program. We offer affordable rental housing for families that are unable to find housing due to housing barriers such as bad credit or rental history. We direct any individual that is looking for emergency housing to Fairfax County’s Coordinated Services Planning at (703) 222-0880.
How can I be eligible for the ABC Housing program?
We require that all applicants for our housing have sufficient income to afford the rent for one of our units. This can include income from employment, benefits, or other sources. We accept Housing Choice Vouchers from residents who have received them from Fairfax County. We follow the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines that, state that rents should not exceed 30% of a household’s monthly gross (pre-tax) income to be affordable.
How do I apply for the ABC Housing program?
To apply, complete our Pre-Application form, found here, and return it to Quantum Real Estate Management, located at 7985 Audubon Ave #101, Alexandria, VA 22306. If a household appears to be eligible for our housing, you will be contacted to submit additional information, including verification of income. We require a $35 application fee per applicant in order for us to complete our background check evaluations. Should you be approved for our housing, you will be placed on a wait-list for the next suitable and available unit. When a unit becomes available, you will be expected to move into our housing as soon as practicable.
How long is the wait list for housing?
The wait-list for our housing depends on availability and household size. Our occupancy standard is two persons per bedroom. We have more 2-bedrooms units than 1- or 3-bedroom units in our inventory.
Where are the units located?
All of Good Shepherd Housing’s units are located along Richmond Highway (Route One) from the Beltway in Alexandria and south to Lorton in zip codes 22079, 22303, 22306 and 22309.
How do you acquire your housing units?
We acquire our units with federal CDBG and HOME funds as well as support from Virginia Housing and our Capital Campaign. Good Shepherd Housing currently owns 97 housing units and looks to expand its housing inventory to increase affordable rental housing opportunities in our community. By owning housing units, Good Shepherd Housing can efficiently manage its portfolio and can offer housing with affordable rents below the prevailing market rents.
What kind of support do you provide to your residents?
We have dedicated case managers that work with our residents to support their efforts to become self-sufficient. Our case managers can work with you on budgeting and connect you to other services in the community including employment assistance, financial literacy, and other basic needs assistance. We provide back packs and school supplies during the summer to children in our housing, as well as assistance with summer camps and activities. We also support 16–24-year-olds in our Career Power program, offering them guidance and some financial support to help them find a path to a well-paying career.
I am not a Good Shepherd resident. Can Good Shepherd Housing assist me with my rent?
We do not assist with direct requests. To request rental assistance, please contact Fairfax County’s Coordinated Services Planning at (703) 222-0880. To be eligible for rental assistance from Good Shepherd Housing, you must be a Fairfax County resident and live in one of the following zip codes: 22303, 22306, 22307, 22308, 22309, 22310, 22315, 22060, or 22079. Assistance is limited to once every 12 months.
Do you accept furniture donations?
Unfortunately, we do not have the means to transport and store donated furniture. If you have any furnishings that you would like to donate to a worthwhile cause, consider donating to one of the following organizations:
Habitat for Humanity’s Habitat ReStore
Donation Pick-up Form | Habitat for Humanity D.C. & Northern Virginia (habitatdcnova.org)
Gracing Spaces
Donate Homegoods — Gracing Spaces
A Wider Circle
How can I volunteer?
We are currently in need of volunteers to help us move produce from Wegman’s to one of the mobile home communities twice per month for their food distribution. If you have a large vehicle and would like to help, please sign up for a pick-up day on our Sign-Up Genius calendar.
Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services: Produce pickup & delivery (signupgenius.com)
We also need volunteers to help with our back pack drive, as well as our special events. To inquire about how you can help, please contact us at development@goodhousing.org.