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HOW DO I FIND HOUSING IF… I Am Deaf or Have a Disability I Am a Senior Citizen I Am Undocumented I Am LGBTQI I Have an Addiction I Have a Criminal Background I AM DEAF OR HAVE A DISABILITY: A disability is a mental or physical condition that limits one's ability to do one or more daily life activities. Domestic violence towards people who are Deaf or have a disability is often overlooked because, while equally devastating to the survivor, sometimes it can appear different from what is commonly defined as "domestic violence." The perpetrator may be someone other than a romantic partner, such as a paid caregiver or a family member. Abusive tactics that are commonly used against people with disabilities include: Manipulation of medication; Financial exploitation; Destruction of or withholding of assistive devices; Neglect or refusal to help with personal care; Denying access to information that will help increase one's independence. For survivors who are Deaf, abusers often use the following additional power and control tactics: Break or hide the TTY or other communication devices; Isolate survivors from their friends; Break or hide hearing aids. Information retrieved from the Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services. For additional information on violence against women who are Deaf or have disabilities, visit www.accessingsafety.org Housing Options for Survivors with Disabilities: The following are a few housing options that survivors with physical or mental disabilities might consider if seeking safe housing options: HOUSE OF RUTH - NEW PATHWAYS* 700 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC Phone: 202.667.7001 ext. 207 Fax: 202.544.0340 Web: www.houseofruth.org Population Served:Single women. Services: Permanent supportive housing. Admission Process: Must be referred by House of Ruth's Madison Emergency Shelter. Eligibility Requirements: Women must be living with a mental illness. Wheelchair Accessible: No. PATHWAYS TO HOUSING 101 Q Street, NE, Suite G, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202.529.2972 Fax: 202.529.2976 Web: www.pathwaystohousing.org Population Served: Single women; single men. Services: Permanent housing (apartment style scattered site); social services; money management, cleaning, and cooking classes. Admission Process: Applicants should call to speak to the clinical director for additional information. In general, applicants should be referred through a case manager at Department of Mental Health or core service agency such as Community Connections or Green Door. Eligibility Requirements: Must have a chronic mental illness and be chronically homeless as defined by HUD for the last year or four times within the last three years. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes. RACHEL'S WOMEN'S CENTER 1492 Florida Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20020 Phone: 202.399.5501 Fax: 202.682.8648 Web: www.rachaels.org Population Served: Single women. Services: Permanent housing in an independent living environment (women have their own rooms while sharing common areas); case management. Admission Process: An application can be obtained by calling Rachel's Women's Day Center at 202.682.1005. If the woman is eligible, an interview with the Permanent Housing Case Manager is scheduled to review the application with the prospective tenant. Qualified applicants will then have a second interview with the Permanent Housing Case Manager, Program Director, and Executive Director. During the second interview the applicant has the opportunity to ask any questions she may have and the applicant will be asked to elaborate on the information she provided on the application. This process typically takes 2 to 3 weeks depending on submission of required documents and paperwork from the applicant. Eligibility Requirements: Must have a documented disability (physical, mental, substance abuse or any combination of the three); must have a stable income (IDA is not accepted); must have documentation of a year of sobriety; must be compliant with mental health treatment; and the ability to administer her own medication. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes. WOODLEY HOUSE 2711 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008 Phone: 202.234.5843 or 202.328.4068 Fax: 202.265.3428 Web: www.woodleyhouse.org Population Served: Single women; single men. Services: Transitional housing for 6 months to 1 year (11 scattered sites); case management services; day program; skills training; meals; laundry services; and $100 for toiletries/personal items. Admission Process: Referrals come from the Department of Mental Health, courts and core service agencies. Anyone making a referral should call to obtain the "program referral sheet" which explains the process and the various documentation needed, including a LOCUS score of 22 or less and doctor's list of all current medications. All necessary documentation is required before an interview is conducted with the applicant. Eligibility Requirements: Must be a DC resident; must have a mental illness diagnosis and be connected to a core service mental health agency. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes. Notes: The program will provide transportation if public transportation is not feasible. There is a fee of $1022 dollars for all CRF community residential clients. Program accepts Bridge Push Funds, and SSI. Other Housing Resources for Survivors with Disabilities: If you or your client has a developmental disability you can contact the DC Department of Disability Services (DDS). DDS works with a core group of service providers who assist people to find and maintain housing as well as provide assistance with life skills. To schedule an intake appointment you must call 202.730.1700, Monday through Friday, between 8:15am and 4:45pm. A family whose head of household, spouse or sole member has a physical or mental disability may receive preference for public housing. If you are a Deaf survivor, the Deaf Abused Women's Network (DAWN), can provide support identifying housing options as well as provide other forms of assistance: DEAF ABUSED WOMEN'S NETWORK (DAWN) 1050 17 th Street, NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202.861.0258 (TTY) Fax: 202.466.3226 Website: www.deafdawn.org Email: Info15@deafdawn.org Population Served: Deaf of hearing and Deaf-Blind Services: On-going weekly survivors support group and 24-hour TTY hotline. Outreach, education and training for community agencies, organizations and service providers Reasonable Accomodations: By law people with disabilities have the right to ask for and receive reasonable accommodations. A reasonable accommodation is a change to a rule, program, service, or to the shelter building that allows you to participate equally in the program. You can download a the Emergency Shelter Reasonable Accommodation Request Form from the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless website along with other information about disability rights as they pertain to accessing DC's shelter system. If you feel that you are being denied access to housing of any form because you have a disability, contact the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless or the Equal Rights Center. >>>Back to Top I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN: Domestic violence knows no age limit. A person can experience domestic violence in later life at the hands of intimate partners, caregivers or family members. Elder abuse reporting is on the rise, and victims often need to access specialized housing that assist not only with the abuse, but also with the other challenges related to growing older. Abusive tactics that are commonly used against the elderly include: Financial exploitation; Neglect or refusal to help with personal care; Neglect or refusal to help with personal care; Emotional abuse; Isolation; Physical abuse; Withholding medications and/or food; Limiting access to transportation or other ways of increasing one's independence. For more information on abuse in later life, visit the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life or the National Center on Elder Abuse. Housing Options for Survivors of Elder Abuse: DWELLING PLACE SHELTER FOR ABUSED ELDERLY 2812 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20020-3855 Phone: 202.583.7602 Website: www.some.org/p_tra_senior.html Services: Transitional housing (7-bed shelter); hot meals and clothing; case management; medical, dental and psychiatric services are offered, as well as counseling in the areas of housing, nutrition and family relations. Eligibility Requirements: Must be 60 years of age or older; must be a survivor of physical or emotional abuse, facing eviction, or facing homelessness and vulnerable to violence. If you are over the age of 60 and are experiencing an abusive relationship and need help finding housing and support contact: Adult Protective Services, 202.541.3950, for emergency assistance from a community advocate; Legal Counsel for the Elderly (an AARP project), 202.434.2120 or 202.434.2170; The DC Office on Aging, 202.724.5626, for assistance finding a senior service agency in your specific neighborhood that can help you with ongoing supportive services. This office also operates the DC Long Term Care Ombudsman for elderly persons who have problems, including abuse in long term care facilities. A family whose head of household, spouse, or sole member is 62 years of age or older, may receive preference when applying for public housing. >>> Back to top I AM UNDOCUMENTED: There are some dynamics of domestic violence that are unique to immigrant survivors who are undocumented. This is because a survivor's immigration status is often a vulnerability that their abuser uses to control them. These abusive tactics might include: Threatening to disclose undocumented status to employers or officials; Withholding pertinent information about laws, policies and resources, making it difficult for the survivor to navigate systems, thus contributing to her isolation; Isolating her from her family members, friends and cultural community; Abuse from family members of the abuser who they may be living with them. Housing Options for Undocumented Survivors: Many undocumented survivors stay in abusive relationships because they are afraid that disclosing their immigration status may result in deportation, or they fear they will have difficulty accessing services. However, many of the DV programs serve all survivors, regardless of immigration status. Below are a few housing programs in DC that serve mostly immigrant residents, regardless of status: MY SISTER'S PLACE - CASA GABRIELLA PO Box 29596, Washington, DC 20017 Hotline: 202.529.5991 Phone: 202.723.4813 Fax: 202.723.4814 Web: www.mysistersplacedc.org Population Served: Women with children. Services: Transitional housing for 2 years (families have private rooms, living spaces are shared); case management; individual and group therapy; and assistance with career and educational goals. The program provides some basic food items but families are responsible for their own meals. Admission Process: Women should call for a phone interview at which time an in-person interview will be scheduled. Eligibility Requirements: Must be an immigrant DV survivor; must be employed full or part-time or in school; and must have stayed in a 30 day shelter prior to admission. Women must provide proof of employment, enrollment in school, proof that children are enrolled in school and/or daycare (including informal daycare such as with a friend or relative). Wheelchair Accessible: No. Notes: Though preference is given to families, single women should still call in case space is available. Women must be able to pay a $50 monthly program fee and a pro-rated rental subsidy based on income. LATINO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP Phone: 202.518.6605 Fax: 202.518.0055 Web: www.hogares-dc.org Services: Transitional housing for 18 months (scattered-site). Participants have the option of receiving housing counseling, budgeting classes, childcare, and life skills classes. Admission Process: Client should be referred through another agency/case worker. The case worker should fax over a complete application (which can be downloaded from the website) and a bio psychosocial evaluation. Once the information is received, a brief phone interview in conducted with the applicant. A second interview is conducted after the applicant is accepted, where they can view the living space. A drug test will also be conducted, which is free to the client. Eligibility Requirements: Must be willing to be employed within 3 months of entry into the program. Undocumented survivors can still sign leases for apartments in most states and are still protected from discrimination in housing due to the domestic violence. Survivors who are undocumented or lack eligible immigrant status to receive federal housing benefits (ie: public housing, Section 8 voucher etc), but who have children who are eligible, can still receive benefits on a pro rated bases. Below are non-residential programs that assist all immigrant survivors (regardless of status), and can provide assistance in locating safe housing: AYUDA, INC 1707 Kalorama Road, NW, Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202.387.4848 Fax: 202.387.0324 Website: ayudainc.org Population Served: Low-income immigrant women Services: Bilingual legal and social services such as handling of temporary and civil protection orders and the issuance, modification, extension and enforcement of such orders, separation and/or divorce orders, custody and visitation rights, spousal and child support. Admission Process: Please call the office or drop-in, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Notes: Fully staffed with bilingual Spanish/English members. DVRP ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCE PROJECT PO Box 14268, Washington, DC 20044 Phone: 202.464.4477 Fax: 202.986.9332 Website: www.dvrp.org Population Served: Women who are in or were in abusive relationships. Services Provided: Helps domestic violence survivors access resources and improve their safety regardless of income level, immigration status, and English language proficiency. Assistance includes: peer support; safety planning; interpretation and translation; court accompaniment; emergency transportation; financial empowerment and life skills development; assistance in applying for public benefits; referrals for shelter, legal and social service; and other support services as needed Notes: DVRP has advocates who speak: Cantonese, Farsi, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Nepal, Punjabi, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese and Urdu. >>> Back to top I AM LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, INTERSEX (LGBTQI): People who are in same sex relationships experience abuse at the same rate as those in heterosexual relationships, and the same dynamics are present. Abusive tactics that are unique to LGBTQI relationships include: Threats to out the survivor to employers (if he or she is not already out); Threats to have the children taken away by telling the authorities of the survivor's sexual orientation or gender; Mental abuse, by saying "no one will believe you because you're gay"; Intimidation (looks, actions and gestures that reinforce homophobia or transphobia); Control by being the one to define your relationship and each partner's role in the relationship. Information retrieved from the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence Housing Options for LGBTQI Survivors: Though there are no domestic violence housing programs that are specifically for LGBTQI survivors in DC, the following programs in Maryland state that they serve LGBTQI survivors: TURN AROUND INC.* 401 Washington Avenue, Suite 300, Towson, MD 21204 Hotline: 410.828.6390 Phone: 410.377.8111 Fax: 410.377.6806 Web: www.turnaroundinc.org Population Served: Single women; women with children; LGBT victims; immigrants and refugees. Services: Emergency and transitional housing; 24-hour crisis hotline; community education; individual and group counseling; ER companion; outreach; advocacy; counseling for friends and family of victims; Safe Home Safe Pets Program; and Teen Empowerment Program. Emergency Housing Program Admission Process: Call and speak to an intake worker who will try to find placement in a MD shelter. This program is a last resort because it is very short term and located off-site from the agency. Transitional Housing Program Admission Process: Must have a referral from an agency, including a shelter. Eligibility Requirements: Must be a DV survivor; must not pose a threat to self or others; must either work or attend school at least 20 hours per week; must be drug and alcohol free. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes. Residency Requirements: Will consider those from the DC area if space permits and can assist DC women to find housing placement in the Baltimore area. Notes: Bi-lingual services available. MID-SHORE COUNCIL ON FAMILY VIOLENCE P.O. Box 5, Denton, MD 21629 Hotline: 1.800.927.4673 Phone: 410.479.1149 Fax: 410.479.2064 Web: www.mscfv.org Population: Single women; women with children; single men; LGBT survivors; immigrants and sex workers. Male children must be 11 years old or under. Services: Emergency and transitional housing; 24-hour crisis hotline; support groups; anger intervention program; abuser intervention program; immigration legal services; shelter for family pets; food assistance program; crisis counseling; and advocacy. Emergency Housing Admission Process: Admission is determined on a case by case basis and is granted depending on the amount of space available. Call hotline to have a phone intake. The average intake process is completed within 20 minutes. Transitional Housing Admission Process: Participant must have stayed in the emergency housing to be considered for the transitional housing program. The participant must have demonstrated the following in order to obtain transitional housing: A commitment to working toward self-sufficiency; be in need of housing assistance; actively searching for employment, volunteer positions, or job training programs; be in regular contact with the Transitional Services Coordinator; and provide the Council with all information and documents to advocate on their behalf. Eligibility Requirements: Must be a DV Survivor; must not pose a threat to self or others. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes. Residency Requirements: Will consider referrals from DC. Notes: All services are available in Spanish. Other Housing Resources for LGBTQI Survivors: If you experience housing discrimination due to your sexual orientation or expression of gender identity, please contact the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless or the Equal Rights Center. An important fact to remember is that discrimination based on gender identity or expression is illegal in DC, which means that any of the housing options available to female survivors are legally available to those who identify as women. > Download Housing Resource Guide. The following two programs work specifically with people who identify as transgender, intersex or queer, and can assist with identifying housing options as well as provide support: TRANSGENDER HEALTH EMPOWERMENT 1711 N. Capitol St, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202.636.1646 Fax: 202.636.1649 Web: www.theincdc.org Population Served: Transgender populations. Services: Free and confidential HIV testing and counseling; drop-in center; counseling; referrals to medical care, treatment, substance abuse and mental health services, job training programs, and educational opportunities. DIFFERENT AVENUES 821 Upshur St, NW, Suite B, Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202.829.2103 Fax: 202.829.2104 Web: www.differentavenues.org Population Served: Young adults affected by violence, HIV and discrimination, including those who are homeless, engaging in sexual exchange, transgender, lesbian, bisexual or gay. Services: HIV/AIDS prevention education; sexual health education; support groups; online outreach; community organizing; technical assistance; peer-based leadership training and referrals. >>> Back to top I HAVE AN ADDICTION: It is not uncommon for survivors to have a history of substance abuse. Some survivors turn to substances as a way of coping with the abuse, while others may have it forced upon them as part of the abuse. The added element of addiction can heighten a survivor's risk of death or injury while the survivor is contemplating leaving. Some of the tactics the abuser may use include: Financial manipulation; Controling drug use; Forcing someone into prostitution; Mental manipulation (for example "no one else will want you because you're an addict"); If children are involved the abuser may threaten to call Child Protective Services. Housing Options for Survivors Who Are Also Struggling with Addictions: The following are a number of transitional housing programs in DC that have staff who are trained to support women struggling with addiction. Please note that these programs usually require that the woman have a desire to stop using, and some degree of clean time. GOOD HOPE HOUSE 1715 V Street SE, Washington, DC 20020 Phone: 202.678.4084 or 301.490.9906 Fax: 202.678.4080 Web: www.bethanyinc.org Population: Women with children. Services: Transitional housing for 2 years (7 2-bedroom units); referrals to mental health programs; case management; and assistance with housing and employment. Admission Process: Advocate should call on behalf of client, although a woman can call on her own behalf. Once all necessary documentation is faxed or emailed to the Program Director, the woman must meet with the Program Director and Executive Director for an interview. The Board of Directors makes the final admission decision. The process can take a week if all documentation is in order. Eligibility Requirements:Must have 3 months of documented clean time; must show proof of homelessness either through a referral from the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center, a referral from an emergency shelter or an eviction notice. Must be willing to comply with program rules, including: abiding by curfew, doing household chores, conducting weekly housing and job searches, and attending 16 NA/AA meetings a month. If a participant has a job, the amount of required NA/AA meetings can be adjusted. Wheelchair Accessible:Yes. HANNA HOUSE, INC. 612 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 Phone: 202.289.4840 Fax: 202.289.5425 Web: www.hannahhouse.org Population Served: Single women; women with children between the ages of 3 and 13. Services: "Hers" is a 6-month transitional program for single women (depending on a woman's particular situation the program time can be extended). "Theirs" is a one year program for women reuniting with their children. Services for both programs include: case management; recovery support; housing referrals; parenting support; and employment preparation. Admission Process: Referrals are accepted from officers of the court, counselors, social workers and/or case managers. Once an intake application is complete, and the applicant is deemed appropriate, an interview is scheduled. Eligibility Requirements: Must have 30 days documented clean time; must be willing to comply with program rules, including: meeting with case managers, attending groups and abiding by the first 30-day "black out period" whereby participants must follow a strict curfew policy, attend daily groups and participate in community service. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes. Notes: Participants must save 30% of their income and pay a small housing fee. The 30-day "black out period" is not flexible and women with jobs cannot be accommodated. HOUSE OF RUTH - NEW BEGINNINGS 306 S Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202.667.7001 ext. 204 Fax: 202.529.0682 Web: www.houseofruth.org Population Served: Single women. Services: Transitional housing for 2 years; case management services. Admission Process: Women must be assessed by House of Ruth's Madison Emergency Shelter intake staff prior to receiving services. All referrals accepted from House of Ruth's Madison Emergency Shelter. Eligibility Requirements: Must be in recovery. Wheelchair Accessible: No. Notes: Dually diagnosed women accepted. HOUSE OF RUTH - THREE SISTERS 5 Thomas Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202.667.7001 ext. 218 Fax: 202.561.2163 Web: www.houseofruth.org Population Served: Women with children. Male children must be 17 years old or under. Services: Confidential transitional housing for 2 years; counseling; and support groups. Admission Process: Referrals accepted from outpatient programs and case managers and should be directed to the Program Coordinator. Eligibility Requirements: Must be in recovery from substance abuse and a DV survivor; must have 30 days clean time and willing abide by program rules, including mandatory groups and curfew. Wheelchair Accessible: No. MICAH HOUSE 4 200 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202.342.9175 Fax: 202.342.9179 Web: www.micahhouse.org Population Served: Single women. Services: Transitional housing for typically 2 years (congregate living/dorm style set-up); case management; individual and group counseling; and social service referrals. Admission Process: Applicants should call or walk-in to begin the application process. References and interview are required. Eligibility Requirements: Must be homeless and recovering from drugs and alcohol; must have 3 months clean time; must work or have an income; and participate in AA/NA. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes. Notes: Staff is bi-lingual. Highly functioning dually diagnosed applicants considered. SAMARITAN INNS Lazarus House, 2523 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202.667.8831 Tabatha House, 5620 Colorado Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202.483.3076 Elisha House, 1316 Euclid Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202.832.1662 Population Served: Single women; single men. Services: Single room occupancy units (SROs) for individuals in recovery. Participants transition through a 6 month disciplined program where they receive education and counseling, attend daily NA/AA meetings and learn job retention and life skills. Participants who complete the initial 6 month program can move on to the independent living program where they continue to receive case management support. Admission Process: Applicants should call the office for detailed intake information. Eligibility Requirements: Must have 6 months of documented clean time, be employed and demonstrate the ability to pay $50 per week in rent. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes. Notes: Faith-based organization. SO OTHERS MIGHT EAT - HARVEST HOUSE 1307 1st Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 Phone: 202.328.7644 ext.1601 Web: www.some.org/p_tra_post.html Population: Single women. Services: Transitional housing for 4 months; relapse prevention; employment training; and job search assistance. Admission Process: Applicants must be referred by a case manager from an agency and/or drug program. Women must provide: proof of 30 days clean-time or that they are coming out of a drug program; verification of homelessness; valid identification such as a social security card and/or birth certificate; a police clearance; TB test; and discharge summary from the referring program including an AXIS I diagnosis from a social worker, RN, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Eligibility Requirements: Must be in recovery and willing to participate in AA/NA and comply with other program requirements. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes. If you are a survivor of domestic violence struggling with addiction, there is assistance specifically for you: RAMONA'S WAY 1328 Southern Avenue, SE Suite 311 (Medical Services Building) Greater Southeast Hospital, Domestic Violence Intake Center Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202.561.3000/202.257.6790 Website: www.ramonasway.org Population Served: Chemically dependent women who are survivors of emotional and physical abuse and their children. Services: Ramona's Way provides individual counseling, case management, education, advocacy, support groups, alternative therapies, information and referrals. >>> Back to top I HAVE A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND: A survivor's criminal history can create additional barriers to leaving, given that a criminal history may legally be used to deny housing. However, if the conviction was related to the domestic violence (ie: defending yourself, dual arrest at the scene), you may be able to talk to a landlord about the specifics of the conviction and get them to reconsider. Please be aware if you are currently a criminal defendant, that accepting any plea deal may make it harder for you to access housing in the future. Housing Options for Survivors with Criminal Backgrounds: Any of the existing DV programs are available to assist you if you have been incarcerated or have a criminal background and are experiencing domestic violence. If you are currently incarcerated and would like assistance finding housing when you are released you can contact: CAMILLE'S PLACE 1236 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003 Phone: 202.543.6903 Fax: 202.543.5092 Web: www.ourplacedc.org Population Served: Single women. Services: Transitional housing for 2 months (group house setting); assistance with obtaining long-term transitional housing or placement in a treatment program; addictions counseling; transportation assistance; support groups; case management; individual counseling; medical referrals; and aftercare referrals. Admission Process: Women must make contact with the case manager at Camille's Place before their release from prison/jail or very soon after their release. Intake interviews can take place over the phone and admission is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Eligibility Requirements: Must be a formerly incarcerated woman who is homeless upon release from prison or jail. Three months clean time required. Wheelchair Accessible:Yes. Can I Apply for Public Housing if I Have a Criminal Background: DCHA may deny admission to any family if an adult family member has been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving violence or destruction of property; or has participated in a "documented" violent behavior, even if it did not result in conviction. >>> Back to top