About Us
Our Mission
Housing Up builds thriving communities in Washington, DC by developing affordable housing and offering comprehensive support services to homeless and low-income families. We believe that people who have safe, affordable housing and genuine opportunities are empowered to transform their lives.
Our Vision
Housing Up was founded on a belief in an equitable world, a belief in the human capacity for good, and a belief in human potential and what people can achieve when given a helping hand. We envision a city where all families have access to safe, affordable housing and the chance to lead stable, independent lives.
Housing Up is a Housing First organization and is proud to be a critical partner in Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plan to make homelessness “rare, brief, and nonrecurring”. Housing Up is one of the city’s largest homeless services providers and has a leading role in the DC Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Coalition of Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED), and other government, public and private entities advocating for and creating system-wide change in DC’s housing and homelessness policies.
Our Philosophy
We are supportive
We empower our colleagues, our community and the families we serve by actively encouraging an atmosphere of health and happiness. We approach our work with positivity and assume positive intentions from the Housing Up community. We carry out our mission with the hard work and contributions of our colleagues and supporters. We aim to ensure that everyone connected to Housing Up feels appreciated and respected.
We are collaborative
We work together to improve the well-being of the families we serve. We value sharing resources, building partnerships, solution-focused thinking and adaptability to changing circumstances.
We are a community
We believe the most vibrant communities are grounded in the diversity of backgrounds and opinions, and equitable opportunities for all. We strive to share our perspectives, listen to new points of view and be thoughtful, empathetic communicators.
We are mission-focused
We create opportunity for vulnerable DC families and all our actions serve this important goal. We use data to inform decisions and create clear policies that support our work. We leverage the strengths of our colleagues to achieve the best outcomes for families. We hold each other accountable on being knowledgeable about our work and how to best serve families.
We are leaders
We encourage our colleagues to harness their experience and passion to become leaders in our community. We do not accept mediocrity; instead, we work together to build a powerful, innovative organization.
Watch our clients share their experiences with homelessness, and explain how Housing Up made a difference.
Our History
Founded in 1990, Housing Up began as a transitional housing provider serving 14 families in one building on the corner of Georgia Ave and Kennedy St NW. Since then we have grown to serve more than 900 families in a range of housing programs across the District.
Our Team
Housing Up is led by an experienced board of directors and a dedicated staff who ensure that our families have the resources they need to thrive.
