DC Opens District's 8th Short-Term Family Housing Site

WASHINGTON, DC — Mayor Muriel Bowser took another step Tuesday in extending the District's strategic plan to end homelessness by opening The Brooks, a short-term family housing site in Ward 3. This is the eighth site D.C. has opened as part of the Homeward DC program, which is designed to help families experiencing homelessness.

“At a time when we face unprecedented challenges, The Brooks reminds us that our most vulnerable residents of the District deserve the safety and security of a home when they fall on hard times,” Bowser said, in a release. “Particularly during this public health emergency, we will continue to support our families and provide them with wrap-around services they need to transition into permanent housing. We’re all in this together.”

The new facility is named for Donald Brooks, an Army veteran who overcame numerous challenges — including homelessness — to advocate for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. In recent years, he has worked at the D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) as a case manager.

“I'm very pleased to welcome new families to The Brooks in Ward 3 – even while temporary, it will provide a safe and secure home for parents and children who need it most,” said Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh, in the release. “There is no doubt that the building is both attractive and welcoming and, coupled with management by Friendship Place, I am confident that the families who locate there will have the services and support they need to get back on their feet.”

The Brooks joins the District's other short-term family housing sites The Aya (Ward 6), The Kennedy (Ward 4), The Sterling (Ward 5), The Horizon (Ward 7) and The Triumph (Ward 8). The W.J. Rolark (Ward 8) opened last summer as a temporary short-term family housing site and will eventually transition to permanent supportive housing. D.C. opened the Patricia Handy Place for Women (Ward 2) in 2016, and a new short-term family housing site is scheduled to open in Fiscal Year 2021.

“During this time of uncertainty, we continue to grow and improve our services for District families experiencing homelessness and provide services that we know help to end homelessness,” said DHS Director Laura Zeilinger. “I am proud of the work we have done over the past several years with the Ward 3 Advisory Team and the Department of General Services to make this site a reality for the families that we serve.”

Friendship Place, which began its work in the District in 1991 by providing shelter services in upper Northwest, will operate The Brooks.

Since Homeward DC launched in the District in 2016, the city has reduced family homelessness by 45 percent and overall homelessness by 11 percent.

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