Transitional Housing for Men
Transitional housing for single homeless men is located at Christ House (131 S. West St. Alexandria). Its facilities afford a safe, clean, and welcoming environment to its residents reclaiming their self-sufficiency and independence.
About Christ House
The Christ House Transitional Housing program addresses the need for shelter, workforce development and life skills training for single homeless men in our Diocese. Christ House provides intensive case management, workforce development and job coaching to increase clients’ prospects of long-term financial independence and sustained housing success.
Having identified job security and income limitations as significant barriers to permanent housing, Christ House focuses on workforce development by connecting its residents with vocations that match both their interests and skill sets and providing intensive case management, and job coaching.
The Transitional Housing program accommodates 12 single homeless men. Rooms are shared with two men per room. Bathrooms and living spaces are also communal. Upon admittance clients work with case managers to create a personal action plan. Each week, clients participate in at least one hour of intensive case management until they exit to independent housing. Clients also receive financial literacy training and resume, job search, interviewing and professional development coaching.
The program also offers weekly life skills training to support the long-term personal resilience and financial independence of clients. By advancing clients through these program components Christ House seeks to move its residents to financial self-sufficiency and independent housing and prevent their return to homelessness.
As a program of Catholic Charities, Christ House also encourages residents to pursue personal spiritual renewal with opportunities for individual and group discussion, reflection and daily prayer.
Eligibility for Christ House is limited to single homeless men who are willing and able to work. Applicants are generally referred by local homeless shelters, service agencies or addiction centers. Acceptance is contingent upon the results of a psychological assessment and interviews with program staff. Applicants must also agree to a criminal background check. Clients with substance abuse histories must show evidence of 60 days sobriety and agree to continued attendance of AA or NA meetings (or equivalent) to maintain their sobriety.
Clients agree to abide by the rules of the program, including prohibition of alcohol and illegal drugs, observation of a 9 p.m. curfew and daily completion of household chores. Staff are available to assist clients 24/7 with the majority of case management occurring between 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Friday. The group sessions are offered during evening hours 4 days/week.
Please contact Christ House at ChristHouse@ccda.net for an application packet.
Phone: (703) 549-8644
The Christ House location also hosts the Evening Meal Ministry to serve the impoverished 365 days a year. In addition, we offer weather gear to ease the suffering of our clients living outside. Useful material donations include:
Men’s Winter Coats
Cold Weather Sleeping Bags, 32 or 0 degree rated
Backpacks
Sweatpants and Hoodies
