COMMUNITY LODGINGS INC
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Mission Statement
Community Lodgings' mission is to lift Alexandria families from homelessness and instability to independence and self-sufficiency through Transitional Housing, Affordable Housing, and Youth Education Programs.
About This Cause
Founded in 1987 by eight Episcopal Churches to address a growing epidemic of unhoused persons, Community Lodgings is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the City of Alexandria with a mission to lift families from homelessness and instability to independence and self-sufficiency through Transitional Housing, Affordable Housing, and Youth Education Programs. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of the families we serve are working, and that is one job - most families have multiple jobs - yet, they cannot afford market rate rent, escalating food and childcare costs, or basic necessities. We serve families making 30%-60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), which is $154,700 for a family of 4 in Alexandria. Community Lodgings’ families average $49,000 annually. The organization is unique in that it owns 45 apartment units in five buildings, which includes 40 Affordable Housing units and 5 Transitional Housing units. Families lease apartments and pay monthly rent at rates that are 50-60% of the current market rate. Transitional Housing families pay monthly rent at 30-50% of the market rate. This helps to loosen the pinch on other living costs, such as food, transportation, clothing and shoes, and basic necessities. Our diverse staff includes 80% bilingual staff, speaking Spanish and English, as the community and those we serve are primarily LatinX. Community Lodgings' Executive Director is an African-American woman and all staff have a strong connection to the mission and commitment to opening doors to equitable housing solutions for economically-marginalized families. Daily, we address housing, education, and food insecurity for families who are hardworking, low-wage earners. In FY2025 (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025), our programs and services directly supported 5 families in our two-year Transitional Housing Program, and impacted 126 people in the Affordable Housing Program, 129 students in our Youth Education Program. Additionally, as we operate an open community center concept, there are nearly 1,000 people around the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood in Alexandria, VA who receive support from us whether with basic necessities, access to resources or supportive services. Many families in our affordable housing units have resided with Community Lodgings for twenty years or longer because of the high cost of housing in and around Alexandria and the Washington, DC region. Residents are re-certified each year to ensure they meeet eligibility requirements. This process is conducted by reviewing pay stubs and W2s, which demonstrates their need for affordable housing. 97% of resident families are working - and that is just one job - most have multiple jobs, and yet, they still cannot afford market-rate rent, rising costs for food, healthcare, childcare. and transportation. Because CLI owns its properties, the organization is able to lease a one-bedroom apartment for just under $1,100 (based on the household income of the family). The monthly rent for a three-bedroom unit is $1,700-$1,800 The Transitional Housing Program follows a two-year proven strategy that helps families move from homelessness into safe, stable housing. Two of our five units are fully dedicated to families who are survivors of domestic violence. Adults in Transitional Housing are required to have a job (at least 30 hours/week) to participate in this program, which teaches responsibility, pairs them with a Budget Mentor, teaches debt reduction and sound financial management, and stabilizes and guides them toward the path to independence, thereby reducing the recidivism rate. For example, one client completed the Transitional Housing Program last December having saved $12,000 in two years. She used part of it as a down payment for a home! Two years prior, she was homeless. Another client, who is a single Father with three sons, successfully graduated from our Transitional Housing Program and they are now living independently. And, another client is currently working on her Master's Degree and working part-time at a law firm. Students in our Youth Education Program are enrolled in 1st through 12th grades in Alexandria City Public Schools. This structured, out-of-school time, educational program includes academic enrichment activities, Little Friends of Peace Club, Spitfire Book Club, tutoring and mentoring, as well as hot meals and snacks Monday through Friday during the school year and our 6-week summer camp. With a strong desire to fill a gap in services, this year, we added a one week summer camp in August for middle school students, which will also focus on literacy, match, and reinforce STEM programming. This camp will help prepare students as they enter the next grade level. Our program staff work diligently every day to ensure students are prepared to succeed academically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially through the school year and summer. Summer camp is critical for our students, as our program staff continue to reinforce educational concepts such as literacy, math, and comprehension which prevent ‘summer slide’. Our Youth Education Program is intrinsically important to this community, as while parents are working each day, they know their children are in a safe, learning environment in the community where they live. Our summer program has a bonus impact of keeping students engaged and away from negative influences, online distractions, and potentially harmful activities. Here are some quotes about the program's impact from our students in the Youth Education Program which includes summer camp. Ana: "I learned to value people and to get along with them. It is important because that way we can play together without fighting or arguing." Michael - "I like summer camp. I like going to the pool and going on field trips. The lego field trip was the best one. I learned reading, math, art, and cooking. This will help me with my future. For example, if I work at a bank I need to know numbers and letters." Marcella - " I like summer camp. I like swimming and field trips. I learned math and multiplication tables. It's important so I can remember the information." Josue: "It is important because we learn more. We are going to places that we would not have otherwise visited. We have learned many things; I learned long division this summer. I also learned to swim, and I can go on the deep end of the pool. It matters because we can be active. This keeps us healthy and learning while we are out of school." Parents have shared: “My child fell in love with math”. “My daughter is not so shy anymore and loves the summer program. They go outside to learn about nature.” *All names have been changed.