Fellowship Square helps Reston's older adults remain independent

by Ellyn Wexler, staff writer

Residents at Hunters Woods Fellowship House receive fresh food during a weekly distribution supported by the Capital Area Food Bank. Photo contributed by Fellowship Square

For seniors living on limited incomes, paying for housing, food and health care can be a constant challenge. As those costs rise, finding an affordable place to live becomes increasingly difficult.

In Reston, Fellowship Square addresses some of those challenges through two affordable housing communities: Lake Anne House and Hunters Woods Fellowship House. Together, the properties have 464 apartments and nearly 600 residents, according to Zach Cummings, the organization's director of philanthropy and community outreach.

The Rev. Dr. John Scherzer founded Fellowship Square in 1960 to provide affordable housing and supportive services to seniors in the Washington, D.C., area. Since then, the organization has developed and maintained 670 affordable apartments across four properties.

Lake Anne House, the organization's founding property, opened in two phases, in 1971 and 1976. The current building opened in 2022. The other Reston property, Hunters Woods, serves a diverse population whose residents speak 11 different languages.

Fellowship Square housing is available to people 62 and older who meet income and asset requirements set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). At Hunters Woods, the average annual resident income is $10,668. Both Reston properties have waiting lists of three to five years.

Affordable housing is only part of what Fellowship Square provides. Each property has resident services coordinators who help older adults navigate the challenges of aging, connect with health care and other resources and advocate for their needs.

At Hunters Woods, two coordinators assist with everything from Medicare and Medicaid enrollment to arranging visits from medical specialists. They also conduct annual assessments to identify residents' needs and determine what assistance might be helpful.

When residents need help beyond what Fellowship Square can provide, the coordinators work with them and their families to locate resources through public and private organizations.

The properties also offer opportunities for residents to socialize and stay engaged, including monthly birthday celebrations and bingo. Health-related programs and visits from medical professionals are particularly valuable, especially when they address needs that might otherwise go unmet.

Dental care is one example. Many residents lack dental coverage or cannot afford routine care. Without the means to pay for treatment, some go without needed services.

Through a partnership with the Fenwick Foundation, Fellowship Square arranges free dental services, including cleanings and fillings. During the past year, the foundation visited Hunters Woods three times and plans to return.

The need for affordable senior housing continues to grow. People are living longer, often on fixed incomes, while the costs of housing, groceries, prescription drugs and health care continue to climb.

"The biggest challenge facing seniors in the Reston area is affordability," Cummings said. He cited rising costs for housing, health insurance, prescription drugs and groceries as particular burdens for people on fixed incomes.

Food costs present another challenge, making it harder for some residents to afford nutritious meals. To help address that need, Fellowship Square developed Fellowship Fresh, a program that connects residents with healthy, nutrient-rich food. It relies on hundreds of volunteers and community partners, including the Capital Area Food Bank.

At Hunters Woods, residents receive weekly food distributions through a partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank and a monthly delivery through the USDA Brown Bag program. Local organizations, community groups and individuals provide additional donations between deliveries. A food pantry, walk-in freezer and refrigerator also allow residents to access food when they need it.

Distributions typically include fresh fruits and vegetables, shelf-stable items such as spaghetti noodles, tomato sauce and canned vegetables, and frozen meat. In 2025, Fellowship Fresh received the first-place Best Practices Award from the Commonwealth Council on Aging.

Fellowship Square is also looking to the future. The organization is in the early stages of developing a 72-unit affordable senior housing building in Loudoun County and plans to continue improving services at its existing properties.

Reston residents and businesses can help by volunteering at food distributions and resident activities or contributing financially. HUD provides rental assistance for the buildings, while donations from individuals, businesses and organizations help fund supportive services.

The organization also welcomes partnerships with local groups interested in sponsoring resident programs and activities.

For more information, visit fellowshipsquare.org/