Hope Center’s Quantrail Jones transitional housing delayed after pipe burst; funding mix includes ARPA and private fundraising

Jeff Crook, chief executive officer of the Hope Center, briefed the Social Services and Public Safety Committee on June 3 on the Quantrail Jones Center expansion project next to the organization’s existing emergency shelter on Loudoun Avenue.

Project overview and funding Crook said the new two-floor building is 18,674 square feet and contains 72 beds: 32 units targeted for veterans (including single units and one eight-bed unit) and 40 supportive transitional housing beds. Crook said funding for the roughly $6.8 million project includes $2,000,000 in LFUCG ARPA funds, $1,500,000 in veterans capital funding and $3,300,000 raised by the Hope Center.

Construction issues and schedule Crook reported that a pipe burst on March 20 caused more than $1 million in damage; insurance will cover repairs but the incident pushed the opening back. He said the organization had hoped to open April 1 but the new optimistic target is July 1 and that date may be optimistic.

Services and operations The facility will provide veterans transitional housing and service-intensive programs (case management, mental health and substance-abuse services, employment assistance) and supportive transitional housing for people moving out of emergency shelter. Crook said transitional housing aims to be goal-oriented and not simply another shelter bed: staff will work with residents on housing documentation, housing search and life-skills education to transition to permanent housing. David Shedd, the Hope Center chief programs officer, was present to answer programmatic questions.

Capacity and system impact Crook said the expansion should free up shelter capacity at the existing emergency shelter — he estimated the project could free approximately 40 beds in the emergency shelter by moving veterans and transitional residents into the new facility. Council members asked about veteran eligibility and the referral process; Crook explained VA eligibility screening and coordination by street-outreach and shelter staff.

Contingency planning and outreach When asked about contingency plans for future facility problems, Crook said the Hope Center operates several facilities and could rehouse people in other sites in emergencies; the organization also has a foundation and board donors who provide financial support for urgent needs. The project team said they use multiple outreach teams and a Hope Mobile unit that distributes meals and resources and that the city funds the street-outreach staff.

Ending Council members praised the facility design and urged further planning for women’s services and contingency procedures. Crook said insurance will cover the current repairs and that the Hope Center is developing additional operational plans and outreach capacity as the opening approaches.