Our Story

The Place

Founded in 1996 by the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, Transitional Housing BARN Inc. opened its doors to the homeless women and children of Prince William County, Virginia in the spring of 1997. 

Nestled in the tranquil acreage of the St. Benedictine Monastery in the growing Bristow community, BARN is a secular not-for-profit organization that provides housing, supportive services, life management skills and financial education for homeless women and their dependent children.

Comprised of three large apartments we call neighborhoods, our facility can house up to 12 families at a time, four to each neighborhood. The moms and their children have their own spacious bedroom with a bathroom and share the common living spaces - living room, playroom, kitchen, dining room, pantries and laundry area - with the other mothers in their neighborhood.

The People

Our clients must be 19 years of age and be pregnant or have physical custody of at least one child (with the oldest no more than ten). They must also meet one of the following HUD guidelines: 

• Living in housing unsuitable for human habitation

• Living in a shelter

• Living in a transitional housing program and approaching their exit date

• Facing eviction within seven days

The Plan

BARN Moms have faced a number of obstacles in their lives and our program is designed to help them find the right tools and skills to overcome these barriers so that they may build the groundwork to change their lives.  We offer case management, counseling, life skills, financial management, education and employment assistance and help in locating permanent housing.

Our mothers spend 18 - 24 months in our program, learning and growing. Together, with the adult case manager, they develop an action plan to address education, employment, housing, financial planning and the well being of their children.  Each mother contributes 30% of her adjusted income towards an escrow, or savings, account. 

This money is held for the mother until she leaves BARN and receives a 100% refund.  For some of our moms,

this is first savings account they have ever had.

The Purpose

The program outcomes are measured by those families who successfully meet their plan objectives and move into and sustain (for at least one year) permanent housing.