The District has several programs that help prevent families and individuals at risk of homelessness from entering the shelter system or assist with rapid exit from shelter. These programs include the Homeless Prevention Program (HPP), Project Reconnect, DC Flex and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
Homeless Prevention Program (HPP)
The Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) helps families in the District of Columbia who are at risk of homelessness remain safely housed within their communities. By offering targeted services and flexible supports, HPP works to stabilize families before they enter the shelter system. The program also provides diversion services for families who have already been displaced, helping them secure safe temporary housing outside of shelter while receiving supportive services that lead toward longer‑term stability and permanent housing.
HPP providers work directly with families, helping to strengthen a family’s existing support networks, minimize disruption, and prevent shelter entry whenever possible. HPP providers can also facilitate mediation between families and their landlords or hosts. While financial assistance cannot be provided to a host, providers can offer financial support tailored to the family’s immediate housing needs.
Eligibility
HPP is available to families at risk of homelessness. Eligibility is determined after completing an application for services at the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (VWFRC).
Available Services
The program can provide the following services:
- Case management and case coordination: Provides comprehensive case management and coordinated support to help families to develop individualized housing stabilization plans, identify available resources, and set achievable goals.
- Diversion and mediation services: Designed to help families mediate housing solutions through facilitated conversations, conflict resolution strategies, and problem‑solving support.
- Flexible financial assistance: Assistance for families to overcome immediate barriers to housing stability and prevent homelessness.
- Gift cards, food cards, and transportation fare: Essential support to help families meet immediate needs that could place their housing stability at risk.
- Rental assistance: Providing rental assistance and direct connections to housing programs that offer critical supports such as first month’s rent, security deposits, and short‑term housing stabilization resources.
- Housing search support, budgeting guidance, and credit repair: Support with identifying safe and affordable housing options, developing sustainable household budgets, and improving financial health through credit repair strategies.
- Referrals to community partners and District agencies: Connecting families with a network of community partners and District agencies that provide essential services supporting housing stability.
- Connection to TANF vendors: Assist families with accessing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) resources by connecting them with approved TANF vendors who provide essential support services.
How to Access HPP
All referrals to HPP are made through the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (VWFRC), the District’s central intake for families seeking housing support. Families at imminent risk of losing their housing may be connected to HPP to receive services designed to keep them safely housed within their community.
Project Reconnect
Project Reconnect is the District's diversion and rapid exit program for single adults or adult-only families (adult siblings, a parent with an 18+ year old son/daughter, an adult couple, etc.). The program's goal is to keep individuals from ever experiencing homelessness – or to return individuals to housing as quickly as possible after experiencing homelessness – by providing short-term assistance.
Eligibility
The program is available to unaccompanied adults experiencing homelessness who are 18 years of age or older and satisfy one of the following criteria:
- New arrivals to low-barrier shelter: Individuals who have stayed in a low-barrier shelter for at least one week but have no prior documentation of homelessness in the District’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
- Non-recent returners: Individuals who return to a low-barrier shelter for at least a week after an extended absence from shelter (e.g., at least one month).
- Transitioning from system involvement: Individuals who are transitioning from jail, prison, or the foster care system who do not have stable housing or housing supports in place.
- Family-engaged: Individuals who demonstrate a willingness and ability to connect with friends and family.
Available Services
The program can provide the following services:
- Housing problem-solving and mediation: Support with exploring safe housing options, reconnections with family or friends, and help with mediating conversations when needed to stabilize housing arrangements.
- One-time transportation assistance: One-time assistance may be available for non-local travel to help individuals reunite with confirmed hosts who can support them at their destination.
- Host assistance (up to six months): For individuals staying with friends or family in the District, the program may offer temporary support to stabilize the household, including utility assistance and grocery assistance. This support helps maintain the living arrangement while the individual works toward long-term stability.
- Small rental arrears assistance: Limited assistance may be provided to help individuals remain in or return to their existing housing. Note: Project Reconnect is not an ongoing rental assistance program and is not a replacement for ERAP.
- Case management and referrals: Participants receive short-term case management and may be connected to community resources supporting long-term housing stability.
How to Access Project Reconnect
Project Reconnect is a referral-based program. Referrals can be requested through case management staff at:
- Low-barrier shelters
- Day centers
- Outreach programs
- Other homeless services providers
Adult Referrals
Individuals who are 25 years of age or older and meet eligibility requirements may be referred to meet with Project Reconnect staff at:
-
Adams Place Day Center
2210 Adams Place NE
Mon-Fri – 9AM-4PM -
Downtown Day Services Center
1313 New York Avenue NW
Mon-Fri – 9AM-4PM -
Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter
1910 Massachusetts Avenue SE
Mon, Wed, Fri – 9AM-5PM -
Pat Handy Women’s Shelter
810 5th Street NW
2nd Tue every month – 9AM-12PM -
DHS Headquarters
64 New York Avenue NE
Tue, Thu – 9AM-4PM
At these locations, trained staff guide individuals through the next steps in the process.
Youth Referrals
Young adults who are 18-24 years of age may access Project Reconnect through the Youth HOPE program administered by DHS’ Youth Services Division.
For questions, more information, or to make a referral or request for Project Reconnect services, please email [email protected] or call 202-698-4166.
DC Flex
DC Flex focuses on preventing homelessness by offering flexible, shallow rent subsidies to individuals and families facing housing instability. The program provides funds that can be used toward rent when unexpected expenses, emergencies, or limited resources make it difficult to cover the full payment. Participants are able to draw on their DC Flex funds as needed throughout the year, up to five years.
Eligibility
The program is available to leaseholders in the District of Columbia who satisfy the following criteria:
- Earn an income of 40% or below the Area Median Income (AMI): This income threshold ensures the program reaches families facing the greatest risk of housing instability.
- Currently facing housing instability: Households must be experiencing housing instability that puts them at risk of losing their current home such as difficulty keeping up with rent, inconsistent income, risk of eviction, or living in precarious or unaffordable housing situations.
Enrollment and Participation
Benefits may begin as early as 30 to 45 days after program enrollment is confirmed. Participants are provided with the following rent subsidies:
- $7,200 per year for an individual
- $8,400 per year for a family
To remain in the program, participants must:
- Pay rent to the landlord on time and provide proof of payment
- Attend two financial coaching sessions and one financial management session per year
- Recertify eligibility annually
Participants will need to find employment in the first year to remain in the program and provide proof of recent employment during the annual recertification period. The program encourages households to increase their income as they strive to become self-sufficient.
How to Access DC Flex
For questions or more information about DC Flex, please contact [email protected]
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) helps District residents earning less than 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI) who are facing housing emergencies by providing funding for overdue rent including late fees and court costs if the qualified household is facing eviction. The program also supports security deposits and the first month's rent for residents moving into new apartments. The amount paid on behalf of eligible households depends on a household's income and available resources and is subject to certain limitations.
Per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Rent Reasonableness Guidelines, ERAP may provide up to five times the rental amount based on the area zip code and bedroom size of the apartment/house.
To meet the basic eligibility requirements for ERAP, you need to be a DC resident, you need to be at least 30 days behind in rent for back rental assistance applicants or have a need for a security deposit and first month’s rent assistance, and your household needs to be under the income limits. To view eligibility requirements and schedule an appointment to apply for ERAP, please click the following link: erap.dhs.dc.gov.
***ERAP APPOINTMENT PAUSE: DHS has paused the scheduling of new appointments at this time to ensure the proper processing of all existing appointments. We will update this notice if additional scheduling spaces become available. At this time, we are not scheduling appointments. Visit erap.dhs.dc.gov for more information.***
Additional information about ERAP income eligibility and fair market rent in the District is available here.
For questions or concerns about emergency rental assistance, please contact [email protected].