The DC Council made important investments to help homeless families, individuals and youth in its budget vote on May 28. But the need is far greater. The DC Council can further its commitment to reducing homelessness by making targeted investments if additional revenue is announced later this month in the forecast from the DC Chief Financial Officer.
In the midst of DC’s growing prosperity, more than 1,200 families and nearly 4,000 individuals were homeless in January 2014. More than 4,000 children in DC schools were homeless this year.
Open the door for homeless families by investing $5 million to:
- Quickly house 255 families using the Local Rent Supplement Program (“LRSP”) tenant-based program ($3.8 million). This program provides rental assistance to make housing affordable to very low-income families.
- Quickly house 20 chronically homeless families using the DHS Permanent Supportive Housing (“PSH”) program ($600,000). PSH provides housing and supportive services to families with significant mental health and or chronic health issues.
- Create a mediation center to help families maintain housing’and avoid homelessness–by safely working out problems with family or friends with whom they can share housing ($571,000).
- Provide trauma training for staff at DC General Family Shelter ($5,000)
Open the door for homeless individuals by investing $4 million to:
- Quickly house 100 chronically homeless individuals using the DHS Permanent Supportive Housing (“PSH”) program ($2.5 million).
- Quickly house 200 individuals with short term housing subsidies and services that help them get back on their feet using the DHS Rapid-Rehousing Program ($1.5 million).
Open the door for homeless youth by investing $3 million to:
- Create 50 units of emergency shelter and housing for youth ($1.9 million).
- Fully fund a family reunification pilot program to help youth reconnect with their relatives ($100,000).
- Fully fund a drop-in center and street outreach program to ensure that youth staying outside are connected to the services they need to be safe and avoid long term homelessness ($1 million).
Click here to tell the DC Council that NOW is the time to invest in our homeless neighbors!
