Shelters PDF Print E-mail

St_Luke-72dpiFriendship Place supports the opening and operation of small, congregation-based shelters. Our staff participates through case management services for shelter residents and training for shelter volunteers. At the beginning of 2000, Friendship Place assumed responsibility for the administration and programs of a nearby shelter for five homeless women – The Haven. It operates a full program to help women with long-term mental illnesses develop the skills they need to move into permanent housing.

The other shelters in the Friendship Place network are:

  • St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
  • Metropolitan House (Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church)
  • St. Luke’s (Pictured above is open year-round)
  • Crossroads Shelter (St. Alban’s Episcopal Church)


These small-scale overnight shelters have some entry requirements, such as participation in addiction treatment or job training. Beds in dormitory-style living can be reserved; space is limited. Some storage space is provided. This shelter is usually seasonal—winter or summer—rather than year-round. Participants pay nothing.

 
 

FAQs

Why can’t the city do more to provide housing for everyone?
There is a great need for affordable housing for D.C. residents with low incomes. At least 52,000 households, including many homeless families, are on the public housing waiting list. In fact, the District is ranked third worst among all states with regard to housing affordability. Buildings that were once affordable are regularly converted into luxury condos and rentals. In the past four years, at least 12,000 affordable housing units have disappeared from the market.