Katherine Hanley Community Shelter

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Location: Fairfax, VA

Architect: Wisnewski Blair & Associates

Awards: National ABC Excellence
ABC Cumberland Valley Excellence 2008

Certification: GBI Green Globes

The Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter provides a safe, temporary home for families as they develop a plan to locate housing. It is the first homeless shelter in the United States to be recognized by the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes’ environmental assessment and rating system for commercial buildings. This two-story structure is designed to accommodate 20 families and no more than 60 people at any given time.  Architecturally, the shelter is designed to fit in with the surrounding residential neighborhood. A brick entrance and base is featured on the front. The rear consists of a children’s playground and outdoor sitting area. A pedestrian trail is also located on the property. The site plan allows for the future construction of 2 two-story transitional housing units with a capacity of 6 families.