Loisann’s Hope House is the region’s oldest and largest family homeless shelter, opening our doors in 1987. Our story begins on a bitterly cold night over three decades ago, when members of St. George’s Episcopal Church found a homeless man sleeping in the church entrance foyer and invited him to take part in their meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was decided to address the problem of homelessness in our community.

The house at 902 Lafayette Boulevard, our first home, was for sale and the members decided to attempt to purchase the property. An offer was made and financing was secured by the vestry and congregation of St. George’s Church. Renovation began in early 1986 with many volunteers and contributions from the community. During this time, the shelter was named “Hope House” at the suggestion of Reverend Charles Sydnor.

The doors of Hope House opened in January 1987 in the middle of a big snowstorm! In 1988, the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors raffled a house and netted more than $50,000, which they donated to Hope House. Combined with the assistance of a bank loan, this enabled Hope House to purchase the property from St. George’s Church.

In the decades that followed, Loisann’s Hope House has grown to fit the needs of our community. A new house at 904 Lafayette Boulevard was constructed by volunteer community members, and over a decade ago we purchased the adjacent property at 900 Lafayette Boulevard. To date, we now have six homes on our campus, enabling us to provide shelter up to 19 families.

Loisann’s Hope House has continued to expand and now operates seven programs for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability. We serve our neighbors in Fredericksburg City, and the counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George, and Caroline, with the vision of No Family Homeless. Our programs operate with five guiding principles: 1) Everyone deserves hope, 2) Relentless commitment to family, 3) Tough love without judgement, 4) Education to support independence, and 5) Accountability with care.

In the decades that followed, Loisann’s Hope House has grown to fit the needs of our community. A new house at 904 Lafayette Boulevard was constructed by volunteer community members, and over a decade ago we purchased the adjacent property at 900 Lafayette Boulevard. To date, we now have six homes on our campus, enabling us to provide shelter up to 19 families.

The house at 902 Lafayette Boulevard, our first home, was for sale and the members decided to attempt to purchase the property. An offer was made and financing was secured by the vestry and congregation of St. George’s Church. Renovation began in early 1986 with many volunteers and contributions from the community. During this time, the shelter was named “Hope House” at the suggestion of Reverend Charles Sydnor.

The doors of Hope House opened in January 1987 in the middle of a big snowstorm! In 1988, the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors raffled a house and netted more than $50,000, which they donated to Hope House. Combined with the assistance of a bank loan, this enabled Hope House to purchase the property from St. George’s Church.