Housing and Shelter, Parkside Apartments
Culpeper Housing and Shelter Services (CHASS) is pleased to invite the Culpeper County community to participate in a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Parkside Apartments, Friday September 5, 2025 at 10:00am.
Parkside Apartments is an affordable apartment community in Culpeper, VA with 37 newly constructed homes designed for low-income families. The townhome-style complex offers 7 one-bedroom, 23 two-bedroom, and 7 three-bedroom apartments constructed adjacent to a local scenic park. The homes at Parkside Apartments are reserved for area residents making no more than 60% of the Area Median Income, addressing a critical need for stable and affordable housing in Culpeper, where these types of communities are typically challenging to find.
In addition to offering affordable units, Parkside Apartments meets all design and construction standards of Virginia Housing to ensure safe, high-quality and healthy homes for residents. All apartment homes also exceed Virginia Housing’s energy efficiency requirements and qualify for Earthcraft Gold and Zero Energy Ready Homes Certification.
Directions: From US 29, Take US-29 BUS N/Madison Rd to S Blue Ridge Ave in Culpeper. Turn left onto S. Blue Ridge Ave., at the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Sperryville Pike. At the next traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto Virginia Avenue. Continue on Virginia Ave, then turn left onto 4th Street and follow it to the end. Parking also available at Yowell Meadow Park with walking path to Parkside.
To RSVP, please contact CHASS at (540)825-7434.
To apply for an apartment, contact Parkside Apartments, located at 325 Parkway Court, Culpeper, VA 22701.
Ann Wingfield, Housing and Shelter
The complex includes 44 units. 32 units were extensively renovated and 12 units newly constructed. Additionally new community center space and offices for CHASS were constructed. The rental units are available to income eligible residents.
Housing and Shelter
Last week I was listening intently to the words of a song by Mandisa. The song was “Overcomer”. Part of the song goes like this:
“Everybody’s been down
Hit the bottom, hit the ground
Ooh, You’re not alone
Just take a breath, don’t forget
Hang on to his promises
He wants you to know You’re an overcomer
Stay in the fight ’til the final round
You’re not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it’s hopeless
That’s when he reminds you
That you’re an overcomer”
I know, and have known, so many people that these words are so true about. Recently a very dear friend has been battling cancer. She has been thru chemo, breast and lung surgery, multiple radiation treatments and still has more surgery and physical therapy in the near future. She is a single Mom who has to work every day. Her strength and positive attitude continue to amaze me. She never gives up. She is an “Overcomer.”
Years ago I lost my dad to cancer. He went thru radiation and the cancer was gone for three months but then returned. Surgery was the next step. During the next of five months he went through seven major operations. Each time he would beat the odds and make it through the surgery. I had never thought of my dad as a really strong person. He had not handled sickness well in the past. I saw the dad I loved so much fight to live one more day for months. He was an inspiration a to me. He taught me to live every day like there is no tomorrow, to treat others the way I want to be treated, to never give up, stay in the fight, because only God knows the outcome. He was another “Overcomer.”
When you operate an Emergency Homeless Shelter you see people from all walks of life, and having to face not one, but many obstacles in life on a daily basis. Recently a single woman came to our shelter after being incarcerated. She had no place to go, no job, no family or friends to turn to. She felt like giving up. Who would hire her? Who would rent to her? Our staff just kept on encouraging her each day and continually told her there was a job out there for her and a place to live other than the shelter. She has since found full time employment, and will soon be moving into her own place. The joy and satisfaction you see in her face is beyond words. She is another “Overcomer.”
A couple of years ago our office helped house a lady who was into drugs and alcohol. I personally became her protective payee to help with her finances. She hit rock bottom and had to go through treatment. She has since come out on top. Several months ago she came to visit. She now lives in California, has a full time job, has a home of her own and is drug and alcohol free. She came back to see if I still worked here and to thank me for never giving up on her. She is another “Overcomer.”
I could go on and on. I meet so many people that inspire me every day. These a just a few. How many “Overcomers” do you know?
Cheryl Carter, Executive Director, Culpeper Housing and Shelter Services, 540-825-7434
Photo by Ryan Moreno on Unsplash
Emergency Shelter, Housing and Shelter
Culpeper Shelter not only provides emergency shelter for those in need, but also with Rapid Re-Housing funds assist many families to obtain permanent housing. Over the past several months CCDC has rapidly re-housed six families. These families were in the emergency shelter for several weeks to several months. All six families are presently in permanent housing and doing well. CCDC provides ongoing case management to help these families succeed.
It has become evident that families and individuals that spend less time in the shelter and receive help to move into permanent housing tend to do better. They will work harder to remain stably housed. Meeting routinely with a case manager for budget and housing counseling becomes a way of life and not a chore.
Recently we had a mother of two come back to the shelter for an unexpected visit. She had not come this time for shelter. She came by (as she said) “to pay it forward.” CCDC had provided this family with shelter for several months while the mom found employment and a landlord who was willing to rent to her. We were able to help with her security deposit and first month’s rent so she could move into her own apartment. She has continued to stay in touch and works hard to maintain a home for her children.
She came to the shelter bearing gifts for other shelter families. She bought paper towels, toilet paper, two fruit baskets, a salad basket, and children’s toys. Her daughter fixed a basket with small toys and items for children. She stated she was so appreciative of all the help she had received and wanted to “pay it forward” to help others. This is a mother who lives on a tight budget but felt the importance of giving back.
As the Executive Director of CCDC and a case manager for over 16 years, times like this simply warm your heart. Helping the homeless and those in need in the Culpeper community is our job and a job we love to do. Touching lives in a special way is a true blessing.
If you would like to get more information about Culpeper Shelter and the various programs that we provide or find out how you could be of help please contact Cheryl Carter -Executive Director -825-7434.
Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash
