What is Bridge Housing?
Bridge Housing provides adults experiencing homelessness with semi-private rooms and individualized case management to support more effective connections to permanent housing.
Key Characteristics of Bridge Housing
- Coordinated Access: Serves targeted populations based on program criteria, including individuals matched to a permanent housing resource through the District’s Continuum of Care who are working through their housing lease-up process.
- Case Management: Participation in case management is required to maintain residency.
- Semi-Private Rooms: Two-person suites with private bathrooms provide more privacy than low-barrier shelters.
- Timely Transitions: Built-in timelines ensure residents move toward permanent housing.
- Inclusive Services: Serves men, women, and non-conforming individuals.
- Advances District’s Goal: Supports efforts to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Low-Barrier Shelter vs. Bridge Housing
The following table highlights the differences between Low-Barrier Shelter and Bridge Housing.
|
|
Low-Barrier Shelter |
Bridge Housing |
|
Access |
Open with minimal requirements |
Referral-based |
|
Focus |
Emergency shelter and basic needs |
Short-term support to secure housing |
|
Support Services |
Limited |
Comprehensive (focused on housing readiness) |
|
Duration |
Temporary (days/weeks) |
Short- to medium-term |
|
Population |
Anyone needing immediate shelter |
Targeted based on program criteria |
How to Access Bridge Housing
Individuals and families may be connected to Bridge Housing through the Coordinated Assessment and Housing Placement (CAHP).
Current DHS Bridge Housing Programs
- The Aston: 1129 New Hampshire Avenue NW (Ward 2)
Operated by Friendship Place
Phone: 202-893-6688
Email: [email protected]
- Girard Street Apartments: 1413 Girard St NW (Ward 1)
Operated by Community of Hope
Phone: 202-232-7356
Email: [email protected]
- Valley Place: 1355 Valley Place SE (Ward 8)
Operated by Friendship Place
Phone: 202-742-5620
Email: [email protected]
DHS Contact
Christian Howard, Program Manager, 202-946-9416, [email protected]