Presented by: LaToya Young

District Alliance for Safe Housing

National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference July 13, 2010

WHAT IS DASH?The mission of the District Alliance for Safe Housing, Inc.

(DASH) is to ensure access to safe and sustainable refuge for victims of domestic violence through the development and management of safe housing and related services, while increasing the capacity of other community-based organizations to expand housing for victims throughout the District of Columbia

The DASH philosophy is to provide access, safety, and acceptance to victims of domestic violence by providing a "low barrier" housing program that accommodates victims regardless of disability, chemical addiction, immigration status or sexual orientation.

THE EMPOWERMENT PROJECTThe Empowerment Project is a 2 year transitional to

permanent scattered site housing program for survivors of domestic violence with a focus on safe stable housing and financial independence.

The Housing Resource Center (HRC) is the hub of DASH's efforts to prevent homelessness among domestic violence survivors. We assist survivors in completing housing applications, obtaining safety transfers, navigating the public housing system, and making connections to community services. Survivors can conduct permanent housing searches in our computer lab and work one-on-one with our Housing Resource Specialist.

My RoleHousing Resource Specialist

Research available affordable housing optionsAct as a liaisonAccompany Participants to ViewingsLease-upEducation and OutreachConsistent Communication with Advocates,

Participants, Landlords

3-Fold Partnership

Basis of PartnershipResourcesRapportRelationships

Developing ResourcesFocus on Building Resources

Internet, Newspaper, Etc.Learn the area

NetworkAsk Landlords about other LandlordsConsult with other housing providers

Be CreativeCreate Portfolio

Develop Rapport - LandlordIdentify Landlord/Property Manager as

“Partner”Look at language used in documents

Identify with themBe PersonableBe Reliable

Learn Your “Partner”Past Experiences

Develop Rapport - ParticipantIdentify the importance of partnership

Outcome depends on their involvementHelp them to realize the “Power & Control” they

have

Identify Preferences and Priorities SAFETY Refer to Priority checklist

Allow Participant to be active in process Arrange Interviews w/ landlords Housing Search

Maintaining RelationshipsReconnect

Check-in with Landlords/ParticipantsPayments, Units, Concerns

New UnitsRe-center

ConcernsImproving Partnership

ChallengesStigmaFunding (Subsidy Amount)Participant imposed barriersPast ExperiencesRental HistoryTimingLack of Education (Rights, Housing,

Responsibility)Common Barriers

Family Size, Employment, Scheduling

ResourcesHUD Housing Resource Exchange

www.hudhre.info/housingsearch

District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH)www.dashdc.org

Contact InformationLaToya YoungHousing Resource SpecialistDistrict Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH)Telephone (202)742-1728Email – lyoung@dashdc.org