Individuals and families who are homeless or struggling don’t need to be concerned about having a roof over their head.
Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) offers housing services for the less fortunate.
The non-profit operates two shelters — the Beverly Warren House in Dumfries and the Women’s Empowerment Center in Triangle.
Containing 18 beds, the Beverly Warren House is named after longtime volunteer Beverly Warren, according to the ACTS website.
It houses four families and six individuals and offers 24-hour coverage, Director of Housing Services Laurel Turay explained.
“There’s a shelter supervisor on site at all times to ensure the safety of the clients and to address any immediate needs that they may have,” Turay added.
The Women’s Empowerment Center was renovated in the past couple of years.
It features apartments and common areas, including a kitchen, laundry room, living rooms and children’s play room.
Another resource is the Rapid Re-Housing Program, which offers rent and security deposits to clients who are homeless.
For clients who qualify for Rapid Rehousing Program, ACTS proves case management services and connects those who are in need with the Hunger Prevention Center.
“We just help them with mainstream benefits and we also mediate any issues they may have with their landlord, if it comes to that,” Turay said. “We just try to make sure that everything that they need to help them stay housed we are handling, so they don’t end up back into homelessness.”
Anyone in need of help with housing must go through the Coordinated Entry System (CES), which can be reached at 703-792-3366 between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Rent and mortgage assistance is also available through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program that Prince William County has launched for those impacted by the Coronavirus.