You’re Invited to Living in the City on 10.8.2025!

We’re just over a month away from our biggest fundraiser of the year, Living in the City! Join us on Wednesday, October 8 from 6 to 8 PM to support the amazing families we serve and the community members who make this work possible.

This year, we have a panel of exciting guests – all doing the hard work of creating equitable opportunities for vulnerable kids and families – who will join Christina Peay, Chief Development and Communications Officer, in community conversations. We’re also debuting two videos starring Housing Up staff members. Learn how our Community Engagement Manager, Shahidah Abdul-Lateef, builds and fosters connections in the community. You’ll also get a glimpse into a day in the life of Housing Up’s Permanent Supportive Housing Case Manager, Carlyn Fingers, and hear from her client and Housing Up resident, Ms. Mack. Show up to see how quality, stable housing has allowed Ms. Mack to achieve her goals and transform her and her family’s lives. Reserve your ticket or sponsor the event today!

What: Living in the City 2025

When: Wednesday, October 8. Doors open at 6pm, program begins at 7pm.

Where: Canvas Event Space (1418 W Street NW, Washington, DC 20009). Entrance to Canvas is in the alley between W St. and V St. See map.

Latest in Homelessness & Housing in DC

To say August has been challenging for DC residents would be an understatement. The month began with key updates on Mayor Bowser’s proposed Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors and Landlords (RENTAL) Act. Both advocates and lawmakers have highly contested the legislation, as it is likely to harm Black residents disproportionately. While the DC Council’s housing committee made significant amendments, it approved the bill in early August. However, the final vote is scheduled for September 18, and the text can still be changed. Learn more about RENTAL Act developments from our Instagram carousel, here.

On August 11, President Trump declared a public safety emergency and placed DC under federal rule. Since this announcement, the president has assumed control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and more than 2,200 National Guard troops have been deployed to DC. In his remarks, Trump claimed that homelessness and crime were rampant throughout the District, despite data that shows homelessness and crime in DC have decreased. The White House asserted that encampments would be cleared, and unhoused individuals who “refused” shelter or accepted institutionalization or treatment would face fines and jail time.

Housing Up maintains our commitment to the families we serve and our wider DC community. We are working closely with one another and our partners to ensure affordable housing communities remain safe. While the endless stream of breaking news can be overwhelming, now is not the time to quit. Take action, use your voice, and continue to fight to end homelessness in DC. Learn more about the federal occupation of DC and access useful resources from our latest blog post and Instagram carousel. 

Thank You for Supporting Our 2025 Back to School Drive!

DC Public Schools are officially back in session, and the kids at Housing Up are ready for a successful school year. Thanks to our incredible partners, including Holy Redeemer Church, Fast Enterprises, the American Bankers Association, Accenture, and Andersen, as well as the many community members who donated to our 2025 Back to School Drive, we were able to assemble and distribute 367 backpacks. Every school-age child in our permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, and affordable housing programs who needed a backpack of school supplies received one. Click here to read more about this year’s Drive and our amazing 2025 Back to School Drive Partners.

Celebrating Black-Owned Businesses

August was National Black Business Month, and we honored the vital contributions of Black entrepreneurs and business owners to our DC community. According to the most recent data from 2022, DC and Maryland had the highest shares of Black-owned businesses in the country. Additionally, research shows that Black-owned businesses are largely committed to improving the health and well-being of their communities, with 26 percent of all Black-owned companies in the healthcare and social assistance sectors. Learn more about Black-owned businesses in-depth here, and make sure to check out the sidebar in this newsletter for local Black-owned businesses you can support. While August may be over, we encourage you to support Black-owned businesses all year round!