Social Services

The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

Page updated on Feb 8, 2016 at 11:51 AM

Senior Female AdultAdult Protective Services

The Division of Aging and Adult Services is mandated to provide services for adults who are being abused, neglected, or exploited and who are 60 years or older, or, 18 years or older and physically or mentally disabled. Protective Services to adults consists of the receipt and prompt investigation of reports of suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation.  It includes assessing and documenting adults' service needs, identifying services needed, and developing a plan for services.

Report incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult to: 

  • Adult Protective Services (APS) 
  • Intake Line: 703.746.5778 (Monday- Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.) 
  • Fax: 703.746.5975 or 
  • TDD: 703.836.1493 
  • After hours toll-free number: 1.888.832.3858 

Aging and Adult Services

The City of Alexandria serves seniors and adults with disabilities with special emphasis given to those who have a low income and are most at risk of being institutionalized. 

Child with Painted HandsChild Care Services 

Child Welfare & Child Protective Services

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 for police assistance.

Any concerned resident who suspects that a child is abused or neglected should call 703.746.5800, or the State Hotline at 1.800.552.7096. You are free to call and discuss concerns anonymously. Please provide as much information as possible about your concerns and the identity of the child.

Life PreserverCrisis Lines 

In crisis? Call now. Services available 24 hours a day. 

Economic Support

The Center for Economic Support provides programs and services for Public Benefits, Community Services, and Employment and Training. 

Family of FourFoster Care & Adoption

Foster care is a temporary response to family difficulties. The goal is for the child to return to his or her home, or when this is not possible, to find another permanent home. Are you able to take a child into your home for a few weeks or months? Not sure where to begin? Information sessions are held monthly at an Alexandria library, or you can call a Resource Home Recruiter at 703.746.5858. Adoption, the process of making a child a part of your family, provides children with stability and permanency when their biological families are unable to do so. With a few qualifications, and support services, adoption just may be an option for you!”

Gang & Youth Violence Prevention

Several task forces and groups have been formed to focus on the prevention of gang violence and youth violence, as well as to increase youth/family participation in positive activities.

Homeless Services

Single adults or families who may be seeking emergency shelter or are experiencing a housing crisis are encouraged to call 703.746.5700.

Housing Assistance

Not sure how to find the service you need? Access the Housing Service Chart and then select the link that best describes your search. Our chart lists services and environmental resources for:

  • Developers
  • Non-profits
  • Home buyers and homeowners
  • Landlords
  • Tenants

Need rental or mortgage assistance? The City continues to offer payment plans and the Automatic Bank Debit Program for real estate taxes.  These homeowners may also benefit from programs available through the Office of Housing and the Department of Community & Human Services.

Be a MentorMentoring

Through the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership, there are currently 11 programs available. Please consider being a mentor today: Mentor one Child. Change two lives.

  • Building Better Futures - serves at-risk and/or ELL high school students at TC Williams High School on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
  • Big Brother & Big Sisters - serves children ages 7 to 15, in the community, after school for 2 hours a week.
  • Casa Chirilagua - serves 1st to 8th graders in the Alexandria City Public School system, in the community, after school and on the weekend.
  • Community Lodgings - serves middle school students in a group mentoring setting. The boys' mentoring group meets Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and the girls' mentoring group meets on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. Activities may take place throughout the week or weekend. 
  • Higher Achievement - serves 5th to 8th graders in the Alexandria City Public School system, at Hammond Middle School, Monday, Tuesday or Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. Mentors choose which night they will mentor.
  • RARE - serves grades 6-8 at Francis Hammond Middle School from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Mentors attend one afternoon a week for one-to-one tutoring and mentoring.
  • RISE (Respect, Integrity, Self-Esteem and Encouragement) - serves ages 14 to 17, in the community or at Aurora House, after school for 2 hours per week.
  • SOHO (Space of Her Own) - serves 5th grade girls at the Art League on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m and at George Washington Middle School on Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. throughout the school year. 
  • SOHO (Space of His Own) - serves 5th grade boys at George Washington Middle School on Tuesday nights from 5:30 to 8 p.m. throughout the school year.  
  • The Untouchables - serves 2nd to 12th graders, at Charles Houston Recreation Center and field trips, on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and the occasional weekend.
  • Wright to Read, Tutor/Mentor Program - serves 1st to 5th graders (new referrals), mentors keep cases beyond, meets at local libraries, for 1 hour a week, either after school, evening or weekend.

To begin the process of becoming a mentor, or for more information, contact the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership Coordinator at 703.746.4455 or mentoring@alexandriava.gov. 

If you are interested in volunteering with one of the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership's partner programs, please complete a mentor/volunteer form. Submitting this form will send a referral request to the Partnership program of your choice. Once you have submitted the survey, the program will contact you and provide more details on the program structure , time commitment, and background check/interview process.

Tax ReliefTax Assistance and Relief Programs

The City of Alexandria has created several programs to ease the Real Estate and Personal Property tax burden on elderly, disabled and/or economically disadvantaged resident owners.


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