Adult Directory 2013

C. Public and Subsidized Housing Programs
Note: DCHA closed the housing waiting list to all new applications (public housing and
choice voucher). DCHA will make announcements when the lists are open on the
website www.dchousing.org and in the news media. DCHA will continue to work with
the 70,000 plus applicants currently on the waiting list. There will be a mass mailing to
all applicants on the list. If applicants do not “timely’ respond to DCHA expressing their
intent to remain on the list, they will be dropped from the list.
The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) administers 3 subsidized housing
programs for eligible US citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylums, persons
granted withholding of deportation/removal, victims of trafficking. Undocumented
immigrants are NOT eligible for public or subsidized housing. (1) Public housing:
Government owned housing accommodations managed by DCHA. Public housing
consists of various multi-unit apartment and townhouse communities located throughout
the city. (2) Housing Choice Voucher-Tenant Based Program (HCVP) (formerly known
as Section 8): Rental assistance to tenants who reside in privately owned, DCHA
approved accommodations. HCVP subsidized units are managed by private landlords
and monitored by DCHA guidelines. HCVP awardees can transfer their eligibility to
other HCVP participating jurisdictions. (3) Housing Choice Voucher Moderate
Rehabilitation-Project Based Vouchers (formerly known as Section 8 Mod): Tenants
reside in designated units within privately owned housing communities. “Mod” awardees
cannot transfer their eligibility to other “non-Mod” rental units or to other jurisdictions.
D. Frequently Asked Questions: Housing
Q: Do you have to be a DC resident to receive individual overnight shelter?
Answer: If an individual request overnight shelter during a period of
hyperthermia (95° or above) or hypothermia (32° or below) the individual must
be afforded shelter. If the outdoor temperature is not extreme, the shelter facility
may require residents to provide documentation of DC residency, or a sworn
declaration that they intend to remain in DC permanently and not be receiving
public benefits from another jurisdiction.
Q: Does Head-of-Household seeking shelter for their family have to be a DC
resident?
Answer: Families seeking shelter in DC must be a “registered DC homeless
family” before being admitted into homeless shelter for families. To register, the
head of household must report to the Virginia Williams Resource Center, 920
Rhode Island Ave, NE 20018, (202) 724-3853 Mon-Thurs 8:30am to 4pm. Friday
intake via the Shelter Hotline 1 (800) 535-7252.
Q: I have a job and/or receive income benefits (Social Security, pension,) but
circumstances will force me and my family to become homeless. Can my
family receive family shelter, even though I have an income?
Answer: Yes, DC will provide “emergency family shelter.” However, if the family
is merely behind with rent/mortgage, the head of household (HOH) should first
seek assistance through an agency that host an Emergency Rental Assistance
Program (ERAP) (see Material Assistance Chapter). If HOH can demonstrate an
Adult Resource Directory: 2013
Community & Confinement Access Guide
109