The Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter is the first shelter in Fairfax County to operate on the “Housing First/Rapid Rehousing” model, which emphasizes moving families into permanent housing as quickly as possible and continuing to work with families once they are in permanent housing.  The model is based on the premise that families respond better to services when they are in their own homes, as compared to in shelters.  Housing First has shown positive results in other parts of the country and the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter is an integral part of Fairfax County’s Initiative to Prevent and End Homelessness in the Fairfax - Falls Church community.

Immediately upon entry to the shelter, families are assessed for major housing barriers.  Shelter House then assists families to overcome those barriers.  The family is moved as quickly as possible into appropriate housing. As a result, the average length of stay for families in the shelter will decrease.  Shelter House’s goal is that most families will spend only 45 days at the Katherine K. Hanley Shelter.

A variety of programs are conducted at the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter including housing counseling, employment coaching, financial literacy training, kids night, after school tutoring, teen support groups and parenting classes.

Because homeless families need to overcome multiple obstacles in order to sustain permanent housing, Shelter House case managers continue to work with families for up to a year on issues that may result in them re-entering homelessness.   This process is called Community Case Management and is a critical piece of the Housing First methodology. 

Case Managers help families address issues such as debt reduction, job skills, budgeting, substance abuse, parenting issues, and more.