Our Challenge
Washington DC’s homeless population is nearly double the national average due to the high cost of living. The city grows by thousands of residents annually, creating a great need to maintain and expand housing options for low- to moderate-income, homeless and at-risk families.
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3,705 single persons and 1,172 adults and children in 389 family households are experiencing homelessness in DC
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61% of adults in these families rely on public assistance as their main source of income
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73% of extremely low-income people in DC are severely rent-burdened, devoting over half their income to rent
Our Impact
Housing Up helps families find stable housing and paths to success.
579 childrenserved in 2025
528familiescurrently served by Housing Up
667 units
of affordable housing developed
100% of families maintained stable housing in 2025
HOUSING FAMILIES
Developing Affordable Housing
Housing Up is recognized as a leading nonprofit affordable housing developer in the District of Columbia. Since 2010, we have developed or preserved 542 units of housing for low-income families, all of whom have incomes earn well below 60% of the area median income (AMI). Fifty-four of our affordable units house families with incomes below 30% of AMI. We are committed to building safe, vibrant communities through providing mixed-income affordable housing with resident services.
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Housing Up’s permanent supportive housing (PSH) program is based on the national, rights-based “housing first” model, which focuses on quickly moving families experiencing homelessness into permanent housing with leases in their own names, and then providing additional supports and services as needed. PSH is specifically designed for chronically homeless families with mental health disabilities, a history of substance abuse and/or other physical health disabilities. These families need intensive support to remain in housing and are better able to move forward in their lives if they are first housed.Our portfolio projects, Partner Arms 1 (14 units), Partner Arms 2 (12 units) and Weinberg Commons (12 of 36 units) host Housing Up’s “single site” PSH programs, providing 38 families with stable residency. PSH provides on-site case management to assist families in both maintaining their housing and accomplishing their life goals.
Housing with Care 1 and 2, Housing Up’s “scattered site” PSH program, provides comprehensive case management for families who are housed in apartment buildings located throughout the District. We serve 113 families through these programs. Housing Up service teams provide the same case management and services as in our single site locations, but meet the families in their homes and in different community locations.
Transforming Lives
Youth Enrichment
Our youth enrichment program provides the education and development resources children need to thrive and envision a future that includes higher education and economic independence. READ MORE
HOUSING SERVICES
We provide housing counseling services as part of a holistic approach to help families access and maintain stable housing. READ MORE
Case Management
Our case managers take a family-centered approach to provide services that transform families’ lives. READ MORE
Resident Services
Our resident services program provides stability and financial independence to 150 homeless and low-income families in our affordable housing developments. READ MORE
Get Involved
We believe that service has the power to transform the lives of our staff members, families and volunteers. READ MORE