Want to do something about DC’s affordable housing crisis? How about the hundreds of homeless families in the city? The Washington Interfaith Network has an agenda to help end homelessness in DC. Bring DC Home! Budget and Policy Demands – SIGN THE PETITION!

BUILD AND RENOVATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

$100 million for the Housing Production Trust Fund to meet the District’s goal of producing and preserving affordable housing units. Dedicate public lands to affordable housing- We support the Disposition of District Land for Affordable Housing Amendment Act, introduced by CM Kenyan McDuffie. The bill requires certain levels of affordable housing to be built whenever the District sells its public land to a private developer.

HOUSING FOR HOMELESS YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND INDIVIDUALS

Full funding of the End Youth Homelessness Amendment Act, which will increase longterm housing options homeless youth, including unaccompanied minors and families headed by 16-24 year olds. Support the Way Home Campaign to end chronic homelessness in DC by 2020. Support the roadmap to ending family homelessness in DC. WIN is one of 20 organizations supporting this plan, which calls for increased funding in programs to keep families in housing and more quickly provide housing to families in emergency shelter.

WIN supports the roadmap’s call for increased rapid-rehousing slots, only with certain enhancements to the programs such as:

Job placement, child care, and quality caseworker supports, Matching families with housing units at rents that will be affordable to families when the rapid rehousing subsidy expires- such as rents affordable to families making minimum wage, and Provision of ongoing supports for families who find work but still are not able to maintain rent payments because the rent is too high.

HUMANE SHELTER FOR YOUTH, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES

The End Youth Homelessness Amendment Act, will increase emergency shelter space and services such as coordinated intake and street outreach for the estimated 3,000 youth age 24 and under who experience homelessness every year in DC. The roadmap to ending family homelessness in DC calls for improving conditions and services at DC General Shelter, such as on-site social workers, a playground, and trauma-informed care training for staff. Some are advocating a quick closure of DC General. Before that can be done, we demand alternatives in place that put families into homes, ensure adequate short term emergency shelter space, and take into account the interests of families currently housed in shelter.