DHS offers emergency shelter to families experiencing homelessness in safe and dignified buildings known as Short-Term Family Housing (STFH).
(For information on emergency shelter for individuals, click here.)
Each STFH program provides a rich array of supports and service connections – including housing search assistance, mental health and employment services, and meaningful activities for children – with the goal of helping families exit to stable housing as quickly as possible. DHS’s STFH inventory for families includes both apartment-style units and private rooms.
All STFH referrals are made through the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center.
Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (VWFRC)
Families may access emergency housing and other services through the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (VWFRC), the central intake office for all families in the District of Columbia seeking assistance with their housing needs.
VWFRC is located at 64 New York Avenue NE and is open Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
If you are a family with children under 18 and need free, accessible transportation to emergency shelter, please call the Homeless Services Hotline at (202) 399-7093 or dial 311. The Homeless Services Hotline is open every day from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. During hypothermia season (November 1 - March 31), the Homeless Services Hotline is open 24 hours a day and transportation to shelter is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What You Need to Bring to VWFRC to Access Emergency Shelter and Services
- Identification
- Birth certificates for each family member
- Proof of income
- Proof of District residency (if not established through identification)
Services Available at VWFRC
Homeless and Homelessness Prevention
- Prevention & Diversion Services
- Emergency Rental Assistance
- Emergency Family Housing
- Housing Resources
- Community-Based Resources
Public Benefits
- SNAP (food and nutrition assistance)
- TANF (cash assistance)
- Medicaid (or other medical assistance)
- Childcare subsidies (for families working on TANF goals)
Short-Term Family Housing
Through contracts with service providers, DHS offers emergency family housing programs at seven service-enriched STFH buildings in neighborhoods across the District.
The Terrell – WARD 1
Operated by CORE DC
Email: [email protected]
The Brooks – WARD 3
Operated by Friendship Place
Phone: (202) 414-7798
Email: [email protected]
The Kennedy – WARD 4
Operated by NCCF
Phone: (202) 845-8070
Email: [email protected]
The Sterling – WARD 5
Operated by NCCF
Phone: (202) 450-2461
Email: [email protected]
The Aya – WARD 6
Operated by Community of Hope
Phone: (202) 621-8954
Email: [email protected]
The Horizon – WARD 7
Operated by CORE DC
Phone: (202) 733-4069
Email: [email protected]
The Triumph – WARD 8
Operated by Community of Hope
Phone: (202) 735-0979
Email: [email protected]