Community Lodgings

What Community Lodgings does

Community Lodgings Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1987 and headquartered at 3912 Elbert Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia, serving low-income and predominantly Latino families in Alexandria's Chirilagua-Arlandria neighborhood. The organization delivers a vertically integrated, three-pillar service model: Transitional Housing for homeless families combining shelter with case management, employment coaching, and financial literacy; Affordable Housing offered at below-market rent to qualifying low-income families across multiple Alexandria properties (including 607 Notabene Drive, expanded from six to seven renovated units in 2017 with HomeAid Northern Virginia); and Youth Education Programs serving approximately 120 under-resourced students in grades 1-12 through after-school tutoring, mentoring, summer enrichment, weekend food provision (9,593 meals/snacks served in FY2025), and college preparation. FY2025 outcomes include 126 individuals housed in Affordable Housing and 94% of elementary Peace Club participants showing improved emotional stability. The CARES (Chirilagua-Arlandria Resident Equity Solutions) program adds a resident-leadership layer, with 24 community Key Leaders guiding strategy on housing resiliency.

Revenue is generated exclusively through nonprofit funding mechanisms: individual donations and planned-giving bequests, foundation grants (Citi Foundation/Community Progress Makers, ManyHands $73,000, ACT for Alexandria Fund for Racial Equity, Dollar General Literacy Foundation $3,000), corporate sponsorships of events such as the Under the Stars annual gala and Spring Forward fundraiser, in-kind donations, volunteer service hours, and modest rental income from below-market housing units. The organization operates four physical locations — an administrative office plus two learning centers (New Brookside at 601 Four Mile Road and Fifer Family at 607 Notabene Drive) and housing properties — and distributes services directly via staff and an extensive partner referral network that includes the City of Alexandria, Alexandria City Public Schools, the Alexandria Domestic Violence Shelter, and Capital Area Food Bank.

The business is community-led in go-to-market posture, with awareness driven by earned media (Alexandria Gazette Packet, Washingtonian Magazine), an Ambassador Program, bi-monthly Open Doors site tours hosted by the Director of Development, and constant-contact email outreach. In 2025 the organization was named Overall Business of the Year by The Chamber ALX (selected from 51 nominees) and received the Innovation in Housing Award from the Virginia Governor's Housing Conference for the CARES program, reinforcing the fundraising and reputational foundation for ongoing capital campaigns such as the Elbert Avenue redevelopment. The Executive Director is Lynn Thomas; the Director of Operations, Karina Wiggs, has been on staff since November 1998, indicating institutional continuity typical of mature community-based nonprofits.

Name

Community Lodgings

Legal name

Community Lodgings Inc.

Website

https://communitylodgings.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Lodgings is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 in Alexandria, Virginia, delivering transitional housing, below-market affordable housing, and youth education programs to low-income and predominantly Latino families in the Chirilagua-Arlandria neighborhood, supported by grants, donations, and volunteer partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing and Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps (7213)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAEAB

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAGADAO

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGAEAL

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

Keywords

• Affordable housing services
• Transitional housing programs
• Youth education programs
• Homeless family services
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through online donations, in-kind donations, and check mailings. The organization runs annual fundraising campaigns including holiday appeals and multi-year giving societies.
2. Foundation Grants: Community Lodgings receives grants from foundations including Citi Foundation (Community Progress Makers Foundation Partner), ManyHands ($73,000 grant), ACT for Alexandria's Fund for Racial Equity, and Dollar General Literacy Foundation ($3,000).
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Local businesses and organizations sponsor events (Under the Stars) and provide in-kind support including venue sponsorships, developer sponsorships, and builder sponsorships.
4. Event Fundraising: Annual events including Spring Forward fundraiser, Open Doors to Independence breakfast, Pearl Gala (30th anniversary), and Under the Stars annual gala generate revenue and awareness.
5. Volunteer Services: Volunteers contribute thousands of hours annually supporting programs, reducing operational costs and enabling service delivery without direct compensation.
6. Planned Giving: Donors can include Community Lodgings in their wills through specific bequests, residual bequests, or contingent bequests.
7. Fee-for-Service (Affordable Housing): Affordable housing units are offered at below-market rent to qualifying low-income families, generating rental income.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Community Lodgings is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing Transitional Housing for homeless families, Affordable Housing at below-market rent for qualifying low-income families, and Youth Education Programs (after-school tutoring, mentoring, summer enrichment, weekend food support) serving children in grades 1-12 in Alexandria, Virginia. The organization also runs the CARES (Chirilagua-Arlandria Resident Equity Solutions) resident leadership program.

Product overview

Community Lodgings operates as a nonprofit organization offering three core interconnected programs: Transitional Housing for homeless families, Affordable Housing at below-market rates, and Youth Education Programs serving children from K-12. The organization also runs the CARES (Chirilagua-Arlandria Resident Equity Solutions) resident leadership program. Services include case management, employment coaching, parenting education, food assistance, mentoring, and summer enrichment, all designed to lift families from homelessness and instability toward independence and self-sufficiency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CARES (Chirilagua-Arlandria Resident Equity Solutions): Resident leadership program that empowers residents to participate in decision-making processes impacting their community.

Products and services

• Transitional Housing Provides homeless families with transitional housing in the City of Alexandria, offering case management, employment support, and pathways to self-sufficiency to help families transition to independent living.
• Affordable Housing Offers apartments at below-market rent to qualifying low-income families in the City of Alexandria, with 126 individuals housed in FY2025.
• Youth Education Programs Helps children in grades 1-12 increase academic achievement and decrease at-risk behavior through after-school tutoring, mentoring, summer enrichment, weekend food program, SAT prep, and college preparation. Serves 90-120 under-resourced students annually, including 90 food-insecure students receiving weekend food support.
• Chirilagua-Arlandria Resident Equity Solutions (CARES) Program A resident leadership program that empowers 24 Key Leaders and community members from the Chirilagua-Arlandria neighborhood to participate in decision-making processes impacting their community, with a focus on housing resiliency, civic engagement, and community-led solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 126 individuals housed in Affordable Housing in FY2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Virginia HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2025State housing agency that presented the Innovation in Housing Award. Virginia Housing supports the Chirilagua-Arlandria community through dedicated partnership and funding.
• The Chamber ALXcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 November 2025Awarding body that recognized Community Lodgings as 2025 Overall Business of the Year at Best in Business Awards. Partnership celebrates the power of partnership in Alexandria's business and nonprofit community.
• Joseph + Browne Development AssociatesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNominated Community Lodgings for the Governor's Housing Innovation Award. Active builder sponsor for Under the Stars event and supporter of affordable housing initiatives.
• Chirilagua-Arlandria Residents (CARES Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner24 Key Leaders and community members from Chirilagua-Arlandria who guide CARES program priorities and shape strategies for neighborhood stability and growth.
• Aptivate Educational & Psychological SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNamed Micro Business of the Year at Chamber ALX Best in Business Awards. Community partner serving Alexandria youth and families.
• Virginia Tech DC Area Launch TeamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNamed Business Leader of the Year at Chamber ALX Best in Business Awards. Community partner organization.
• City of AlexandriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary municipal partner providing support and referrals. Mayor and City Council participate in service projects including MLK Day volunteer activities.
• George Mason UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity interns (Cinthia, Stephanie) serve in Youth Education Program, providing hands-on experience while supporting program operations.
• Capital Area Food BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth Education Program partner addressing food insecurity. Provides resources for weekend food program serving 90 food-insecure students.
• Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through Link Club and coordination with Out of School Time programming. Provides referrals and collaborates on student support services.
• Junior League of Northern VirginiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth Education Program partner supporting programming and volunteer resources.
• ALIVE!minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth Education Program partner serving the Alexandria community.
• Kiwanis Club of AlexandriaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth Education Program partner supporting Alexandria youth.
• Virtue Feed & GrainmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor for Under the Stars Event 2026 annual gala.
• HomeAid Northern VirginiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to renovate Community Lodgings' multi-unit supportive housing property, upgrading residences and learning centers for formerly homeless families.
• Alexandria Mentoring PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth Education Program partner supporting mentoring services.
• Bishop Ireton High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth Education Program partner providing educational support.
• Novastar PrepminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth Education Program partner supporting academic programs.
• Alexandria Soccer AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Community Lodgings' most interactive partners, connecting youth to soccer programming.
• Burgundy Farm Country Day SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipates in annual MLK Day service projects at Community Lodgings sites.
• ExcellaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer group that completed MLK Day service projects including assembling food pantry shelving and painting.
• Restoration City ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChurch volunteer group partnering with Community Lodgings for community service.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• New Hope Housing: Northern Virginia nonprofit operating transitional and permanent supportive housing programs for homeless individuals and families. Directly comparable in mission, housing-led service model, and regional footprint to Community Lodgings.
• Doorways: Arlington, VA-based nonprofit delivering housing and supportive services for survivors of domestic violence and individuals/families experiencing homelessness. Direct mission peer serving the immediate Northern Virginia sub-region.
• Shelter House: Fairfax, VA-based nonprofit operating emergency shelter, hypothermia prevention and rapid re-housing for homeless individuals and families. Direct regional peer in the Northern Virginia homelessness services ecosystem.
• Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia: Affordable homeownership nonprofit serving Northern Virginia low-income families. Comparable mission of expanding housing access for low-income households in the same regional market.
• Northern Virginia Family Service: Regional social services nonprofit offering housing stability, early childhood, financial education, and youth programs. Comparable whole-family service mix and Northern Virginia footprint.
• ALIVE!: Alexandria-based nonprofit providing food, emergency assistance and shelter support to low-income families. Listed as a Community Lodgings partner, ALIVE! serves overlapping client populations in the same geography with adjacent (rather than identical) program mix.
• HomeAid Northern Virginia: Northern Virginia nonprofit focused on building and renovating housing for the homeless; already a documented Community Lodgings partner (renovated 607 Notabene Drive). Closely comparable mission around housing supply for vulnerable families.
• Pathway Homes: Northern Virginia nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing and services for individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges. Comparable residential-services nonprofit with overlapping Northern Virginia geography.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers of America Chesapeake: Regional branch of a national nonprofit providing housing, behavioral health, and supportive services across Virginia and the mid-Atlantic. Larger, broader portfolio housing and human services peer.
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington: Large faith-based social services nonprofit serving Northern Virginia with housing assistance, refugee services, food programs, and family support. Comparable broad social services mission at greater scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CommunityLdgngs
• Facebookfacebook.com/Community.Lodgings
• Instagraminstagram.com/communitylodgings
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-lodgings-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Lodgings