EIN: 54-1681671
Mission Statement
Culpepper Garden, owned by the nonprofit Arlington Retirement Housing Corporation, is a nonprofit retirement community providing 346 affordable living apartments with services for low-income older adults over age 62. Our mission is to provide and advocate for high quality, affordable housing, services, and care that helps older adults on fixed and low incomes to age with comfort and dignity. Our affordable, assisted living wing was the first in the nation to provide federally subsidized housing plus care and we are still the only one in Arlington today. We are committed to providing a continuum of care for generations to come.
Program Summary
Culpepper Garden is a community of care featuring 346 independent and assisted living apartments in Arlington, Virginia, designed to serve at-risk older adults.
Independent Living
Our independent living features 273 one- and two-bedroom apartments for residents who want to live with as much autonomy as possible. Residents enjoy daily dining service from our on-site kitchen, housekeeping services, and regular maintenance of their home. Easily accessible, on-site amenities that include a library, computer room, free Wi-Fi, hair salon, outdoor walking paths, and free parking enhance community life at Culpepper Garden. All residents receive substantial income-based rent subsidies from HUD to ensure their housing remains affordable.
Assisted Living
Our 73-unit assisted living wing is available to residents who need help with activities of daily living. The first facility of its kind in the country to receive federal rent subsidies, Culpepper Garden’s assisted living residence serves as a national model for quality specialized housing and care for older adults who need it the most. Residents in assisted living receive assistance with medication management, daily meals prepared by our Dining Services, assistance with bathing and dressing and access to a licensed nurse on staff. A full-time active life enrichment staff person leads five to eight resident programs and entertainment each day.
Impact Statement
Culpepper Garden’s mission-driven work focuses on key goals including ending and preventing homelessness among the older adult population, meeting the unmet and changing needs of our marginalized seniors, and fostering residents’ individual dignity, autonomy, and wellbeing. Last year, we were the sole safety net for nearly 400 low to extremely low-income older adults, a majority of whom earn an average monthly income of $1,300 or less and in no other instance could afford to age in place in Arlington County. With generous donor support, we were able to provide $150,000 in care subsidies for 39 vulnerable assisted living residents who could no longer pay for their care. Since opening our assisted living wing 24 years ago, we have never stopped caring for anyone. Assisted Living Subsidies, made possible through support from Arlington County and private donations, has enabled 100% of our charitable residents to date (233 individuals) to age in place in Arlington with a high quality of life.
What ways can the public get involved?
Volunteer. Our organization could not do this important work without the dedicated, passionate volunteers who serve Culpepper Garden. Volunteers assist with maintaining our gardens and grounds, assisting with special events, leading resident activities, and more. By volunteering here, you will be joining others in our community who are making a positive difference.
Donate. Almost all of the funding we receive from donors goes to direct services and care subsidies for our residents. We are extremely efficient in how we use the money we have.
Collaborate. We regularly seek out opportunities to partner with local organizations and supporters who compliment and advance the impact we are able to make in our community. We’ve been able to sustain our work for nearly 50 years because of our lasting partnerships.
How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?
We believe that everyone should be able to live out the last years of their life with dignity. Culpepper Garden is uniquely positioned to provide a community of care to at-risk older adults. As a resident’s care needs increase, the level of care required also increases. Yet, Assisted Living care is costly even in an affordable community like ours. That is why we rely on donor support to aid us in assisting our most frail and vulnerable residents who have outlived their assets and can no longer afford their cost of care. Your donation will support financial subsidies that offset the cost of assisted-living services and care for our lowest-income residents with the greatest need and enable them to continue leading their dignified lives. With your support, we can assure that no resident, no matter how vulnerable or low income, will ever have to leave Culpepper Garden Assisted Living because they can no longer afford their care.
Information provided April 2024