CONTACT:
LaToya Foster (EOM) – (202) 727-5011; [email protected]
Dora Taylor (DHS) – (202) 374-9473; [email protected]
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser along with Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Brenda Donald, Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Laura Zeilinger and the DC Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) Director Kristy Greenwalt announced the progress that the District has made on the path to ending homelessness among veterans. Since August 2013, the District has housed nearly 1,800 veterans experiencing homelessness with 764 veterans housed in 2015.
“Every day, my Administration fights to give District residents a fair shot,” said Mayor Bowser. “With Veterans Day right around the corner, I am pleased to share the tremendous progress we have made toward ending homelessness among veterans in the District.”
The District’s progress has been driven by a coalition of government agencies and partners called Veterans NOW, which includes participation from the DC ICH, DHS, the Washington DC VA Medical Center, the DC Housing Authority, The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, Community Connections, Housing Counseling Services, Inc., Community Solutions, Miriam’s Kitchen, Friendship Place, Operation Renewed Hope Foundation, US Vets, and Catholic Charities. Over the past four years, DC has also received support from local and national stakeholder organizations to accelerate efforts to provide housing for veterans.
“We are extremely grateful to all of the partners who have come to the table to help us prevent and end homelessness among veterans,” the Mayor continued. “We are proud of the systems changes that we have made. While we know that the final mile will be the toughest, our outreach teams are working every day to ensure that every District veteran experiencing homelessness has been offered a housing resource and supportive services.”
Currently, there are just over 300 veterans experiencing homelessness on a given night in the District. This point-in-time count reflects both significant progress and underscores the magnitude of need in our community. District landlords are encouraged to partner with the District to help sustain the work that has been accomplished thus far. For more information, email [email protected].