Sanctuary, Not Just Shelter: A New Type of Housing for the Homeless

Ending homelessness isn’t just about finding a home. Sometimes, it’s about finding a nice home — a place that’s bright, modern and healthy to live in. That’s the idea fueling the development of a number of buildings around the country, as communities try to move chronically homeless people off the streets.

In downtown Washington, D.C., one of those buildings is currently going up right beside NPR’s headquarters. Still under construction, the structure looks a little like four huge blocks, stacked atop each other and slightly askew. At 14 stories high, it will have a striking view of the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument when it’s finished.