Shelters and Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness:
Shelter Diversion and Targeted Prevention
Efforts to divert/prevent homelessness before it occurs are anchored in two programs:
- Shelter Diversion is a strategy that helps people experiencing a housing crisis quickly identify and access safe alternatives to emergency shelter through creative problem-solving conversations, connecting with community resources and family supports, housing search and placement, and flexible financial assistance.
- Targeted Prevention services are provided by the Department of Human Services in the Clinical Coordination Program (CCP). It provides short-term housing stabilization services (financial assistance and case management) to households to those at imminent risk of losing housing. Arlington Thrive provides same-day emergency financial assistance to Arlington residents facing a financial crises that could lead to eviction.
Shelters
Five Arlington County emergency shelters provide a safe environment for single adults and families who are Arlington residents experiencing homelessness. Access to all shelters except the Domestic Violence Safehouse is facilitated through the Centralized Access System (CAS) within the Clinical Coordination Unit (CCU) at DHS – 2100 Washington Blvd 1st Fl. In case of shelter need during non-business hours, households should call 703-228-1010 for assistance.
Domestic Violence Shelters and Services
Doorways provides shelter for adults, youth, and children seeking housing from domestic violence and sexual assault. Services at Doorways include counseling, court advocacy, employment support, and other programs.
Rapid Re-Housing
Rapid Re-Housing programs provide short-term rental assistance and services to help people who are experiencing homelessness (residing in emergency shelter or sleeping in places not meant for human habitation) obtain and maintain housing quickly.
Transitional Housing
Transitional housing programs provide housing and services to help Arlington families and individuals with greater lengths of support while working to attain permanent housing.
- Independence House transitional housing for individuals recovering from substance abuse (National Capital Treatment & Recovery, formerly Phoenix Houses of the Mid-Atlantic)
- HomeStretch Family Transitional Housing provides housing to families with children under the age of 18 that are experiencing homelessness.
Permanent Supportive Housing
Permanent supportive housing programs provide long-term rental assistance and supportive services for households who are experiencing homeless and have family members living with a disabling condition.
Homelessness
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or is at risk of experiencing homelessness, please visit the Homeless Services main page.
2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count Results
Each year, the Continuum of Care conducts a Point-in-Time Count to understand the scope of homelessness in our community. Please see a summary of 2025’s results here: 2025 PIT Results Summary(PDF, 752KB). This year, Arlington Virginia’s Continuum of Care also conducted a parallel count of youth and young adults. To learn more about the outcomes of this effort, please see a summary here: 2025 Youth PIT Results Summary(PDF, 845KB). Data from Arlington, VA is part of a regional analysis and annual report on homelessness by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee. Learn more at www.mwcog.org/homelessnessreport.
Resources for Partners
More resources for providers can be found here.