Jerry Clatterbuck, a veteran whose monthly Social Security check is not enough to cover rent in his hometown of Culpeper, Va., in his extended stay motel room. Hero's Bridge, a veteran support organization, covers the cost of the room and delivers meals weekly to Clatterbuck.
Mother of three Megan Dill holding the keys to her 1,000 square-foot home in Sperryville, Va., a space the family is quickly outgrowing, but is one of the only rentals in the county that they can afford.
There is no shortage of new builds in the region, with families from the D.C. suburbs flocking to rural Virginia. Developers focus on larger builds for greater profit margins, and shy away from building smaller starter homes that are more attainable for young adults and the elderly, say Andrew Hopewell, director of planning and community development in Culpeper.
Steve Lillard spends almost 60% of his monthly income on rent for his small second-floor apartment in Rappahannock County, Va. "It's very tight, but I make it," says Lillard, who has relied on the Rappahannock County Benevolent Fund to cover rent when he's stretched too thin, and food from the food pantry as grocery prices continue to rise.
Sean Hagerty, a battle buddy with Hero's Bridge, checks in on Lillard in his apartment. Hero's Bridge offers a variety of services for aging veterans.
Molly Brooks, CEO and founder of Hero's Bridge, at the site of the organization's future housing community for aging veterans.
Files displayed in the Community Touch office. Community Touch. The nonprofit provides housing resources to at-risk individuals and families and runs a transitional home in Bealeton, Va.
The Rip van Winkle Motel in Warrenton, Va. acts as a safe haven for many in between permanent housing.
Megan Dill on the porch of her and her family's 1,000 square-foot shotgun home. Dill says a generous landlord who has kept the rent well below market value to help the young family is one of the only reasons the family stays in the house. They fear they will soon have no other option than to move out of the county in search of lower rent.
The women behind Community Touch, Inc. in Fauquier County, Va.
A case manager at Community Touch works with a young mother to fill out intake paperwork. The organization helped the mother and her young children find housing.
A room in the Victory Transitional Home, managed by Community Touch.
Felicia Champion, executive director of Community Touch, leaves one of the rooms in the Victory Transitional Home.