WISH LIST $500: security deposit assistance for 1 family; $1,000: 1 month’s rent for a homeless family of 4; $5,024: closing cost to acquire and preserve 1 affordable housing unit.

Good Shepherd Housing prevents homelessness among the working poor, elderly, and disabled by renting apartments with supportive services, making grants to prevent evictions, and providing counseling and financial education to all its clients. Families facing eviction receive funds during short-term crises. Families without housing – who earn too much for some programs and not enough for others – gain access to affordable housing where they can also re-establish good credit and a positive tenancy history. Families falling in and out of homelessness receive financial support and counseling to move them into stable homes and help them achieve long-term self-sufficiency. GSHFS stabilized over 500 families last year, graduated 24 to housing of their own choice, and purchased additional housing units to buffer families from rising rents. Clients use their own income as their primary financial resource; Good Shepherd’s role is to act as a catalyst – and then step back and allow the clients’ accomplishments to be entirely their own. Your support means so much more than a roof over their heads.

Shannon M Steene, Executive Director 8305 Richmond Highway, Suite 17B Alexandria, VA 22309 703-768-9404 www.goodhousing.org