The Partnership to End Homelessness is excited to announce the first round of grants for “flex funding” programs at local nonprofits that provide Permanent Supportive Housing. Flex funding grants will help expedite housing placement and increase stabilization for single adults that have been matched to housing resources. While rent is covered by government programs, small but critical expenses like moving expenses, fees to obtain identification documents, or transportation to look at available units are not. Many times, these small fees can mean a serious delay in a person securing housing or can put an additional burden on the nonprofit provider.
This two-year pilot program seeks to demonstrate that flex funding can do one or more of the following:
Reduce the amount of time it takes to place single adults experiencing homelessness into Permanent Supportive Housing
Decrease the number of single adults experiencing homelessness by helping them obtain and/or maintain Permanent Supportive Housing
Flex funds, specifically for single adults, were identified as a high-need during conversations with District nonprofits, advocates, and government agencies. Because fewer resources are available for single adults and the City has prioritized bringing more Permanent Supportive Housing units online this year, these flex funds are both timely and critical to help us reach our goal of ending homelessness in the District.
The Grantmaking Fund is one of the strategic approaches to achieving the Partnership to End Homelessness’ mission to end homelessness in DC. The Fund aims to fill critical funding gaps, support innovative programs, meet emerging needs, build nonprofit provider and developer capacity, and support advocacy efforts.
With the importance of these flex funds in mind, we are proud to award the following organizations up to $50,000 over two years to expedite housing placement and stabilize single adults in Permanent Supportive Housing.
Friendship Place – Established in 1991, Friendship Place’s mission is to empower people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness to attain stable housing and rebuild their lives.
Miriam’s Kitchen – Established in 1983, Miriam’s mission is to end chronic homelessness in The District.
Open Arms Housing Inc. (OAH) – Established in 1997, OAH's mission is to provide permanent homes with supportive services for women experiencing homelessness with a wide range of mental health issues.
Pathways to Housing DC – Established in 2004, Pathways to Housing DC’s mission is to transform individual lives by ending homelessness and supporting recovery for people with disabilities.
We are incredibly grateful to our donors who have contributed more than $1.8 million to seed the Grantmaking Fund. If you would like to donate to the Partnership, please contact Angela Willingham at [email protected].
About The Partnership to End Homelessness
The Partnership to End Homelessness, led by the Greater Washington Community Foundation and the District Government’s Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH), brings together the public and private sectors to advance effective and innovative solutions to ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring in DC.