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September 2015 | Department of Human Services
 (Left to right) Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) Director Kristy Greenwalt, City Administrator Rashad Young, Mayor Muriel Bowser, DHS Director Laura Zeilinger, and Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Director Polly Donaldson at the Fresh Start to Family Homelessness press conference.
Mayor Bowser and Senior Administration Officials Announce "Fresh Start to Family Homelessness"
On the first of September, Mayor Bowser announced her administration's new strategy for addressing family homelessness. The announcement highlighted the first strategy listed in Homeward DC, the District's much publicized strategic plan to end homelessness, "Develop a More Effective Crisis Response System." Key changes associated with the Mayor's strategy are:
- Close DC General and replace with smaller, more dignified community-based emergency housing
located across DC;
- As policy, make shelter available to families who need it when they need it—not just during
hypothermia;
- Prevent or decrease the amount of time that families experience homelessness by connecting them
more quickly with housing and supports;
- Provide safety to families whose eligibility for shelter or other homeless services cannot be quickly
determined by creating “interim eligibility” placements into shelter; and
- For the purposes of closing and replacing DC General only, clarify the role of emergency housing and its configuration as apartment-style or private room.
Mayor Bowser also encouraged all residents and stakeholders in the District to sign the pledge to end homelessness. View and sign the pledge here. See here to read more about the plan.
 DHS,
Community Partners Host Housing Event to End Veteran Homelessness by 2015
DHS and the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) partnered to host a Meet and Lease for veterans at the Southwest Family Enhancement Center for veterans in collaboration with the Veterans
NOW! initiative in an effort to meet the City’s goal of ending veteran
homelessness by the end of 2015. Scores of veterans came to the event
designed to help them identify and secure permanent housing from a pool
of vacant apartments in the District. The event targeted veterans experiencing
homelessness who have vouchers through the HUD-VASH Supportive
Housing program or a local rent subsidy. Staff and volunteers were
prepared to serve any veteran experiencing homelessness through an
array of free services.
At the event, participants were able
to complete a SPDAT (Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool) assessment
to determine their level of need and allocate services. Landlords were also
present at the event to answer questions about their apartments and expedite the
leasing process. Participants were able to tour up to three apartment homes that day,
courtesy of DHS Homeless Services who provided free transportation. Services
were also made available for participants needing assistance with security
deposits.
All of the featured apartments were pre-inspected, pre-approved, and ready to lease. A
report conducted by DCHA concludes that nearly 30 veterans were able to
lease-up as a result of this event. Several housing events are scheduled this year
to help all veterans experiencing homelessness in the District find a home. To learn more about this initiative, view here.
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 DHS FSET Program Hosts Job and Resource Fair for Participants
The
DHS Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET) program is
hosting a job and resource fair for DC residents who receive food stamps and
are interested in pursuing employment, better employment, or training
opportunities.
Those who receive food stamps, but do not receive Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), are invited to attend the Get Connected #FSET Works
Event on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. Attendees must register and attend a
pre-screening session for admission. Visit here to register for a pre-screening session.
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 Project Homeless Connect
The United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) will host a one-day event called "Project Homeless Connect" on Friday, October 9, 2015, to bring together dozens of government agencies, community-based organizations, and corporate partners to provide access to employment, medical and other necessary services for people in the District experiencing homelessness.
The event is expected to serve at least 200 participants, each matched with a volunteer guide, who will be able to access services that may be difficult to navigate without assistance. This will be the first Project Homeless Connect event in the District. The program originally launched in San Francisco in 2004 and has been replicated in approximately 300 cities. To learn more or to find out how to get involved, see here.
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To sign up,
click the link below. Select team entry. Select "Join" and team name
Department of Human Services. Use the team password: endhomelessness2015.
https://www.raceentry.com/races/vida-thrive-5k/2015/register
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