Serving low and extremely low-income older adults in Arlington, Culpepper Garden is an enormous blessing but also has enormous challenges. One of their primary goals in 2023 and beyond is to reach out to corporations in the community to help build and sustain funding that will continue to support the most vulnerable, older adults in Arlington. 

There is a great need for subsidized care along with the HUD rental subsidy in assisted living, and Culpepper Garden is one of the few places in the United States to do so because of the cost. “The current waiting list for assisted living is over a year. Of the 17 people on the wait list, all but one requires a subsidy. Our independent living waiting list is over two years. Along with our partner, Arlington County, we stretch financially each year to accomplish our mission,” says executive director Marta Hill Gray. “Our goal is to provide funding for all 73 assisted living apartments occupied by care subsidy residents. These are the neediest of our population and, without the care subsidy, they have very few options at the end of their lives.”

“Another blessing is our volunteers. They are our lifeblood, interacting with residents in fun and engaging ways,” says Gray. “This has been especially important after the difficult period of isolation we’ve had with the pandemic.” With staff, volunteers will be working on spring events that showcase the abundant daffodils when they are in their glory. All are welcome at the annual fundraiser in early June. 

Culpepper Garden is Northern Virginia’s largest rental community for low-income people over age 62, with 273 independent living apartments and 73 assisted living apartments, all HUD subsidized. The only such community that includes assisted living, residents enjoy its beautiful, expansive gardens.