Connecticut House apartments, at 4500 Connecticut Avenue (Google Street View image)
The District government’s permanent supportive housing program serves people who have been chronically homeless and struggle with one or more of the following conditions: substance abuse, mental illness, and physical or developmental disabilities. PSH vouchers come with intensive services – which recipients can refuse – but caseworkers must check in at least twice a month, at least one of those times in person.
Residents of several apartment buildings in our neighborhood and across the District have said for years that the promised services are not being delivered, leading to increases in crime and other disturbances. And on Thursday, November 6th, Council members Matt Frumin and Christina Henderson are jointly convening a roundtable to “examine the effectiveness” of DC’s PSH programs. The discussion will be livestreamed beginning at 11 a.m.
Only invited witnesses can testify, but written testimony can be submitted here (select the “Record testimony” option) until November 20th.
DC’s Department of Human Services issues the PSH vouchers, as well as targeted assisted housing vouchers for individuals or households who need fewer services. In its continually updated “A Path to Ending Homelessness” report, it said that nearly 9,900 clients have been served by its voucher programs since 2016, with more than two-thirds receiving PSH vouchers. The growth in the DHS programs corresponds with significant upswing in voucher renters in at least six neighborhood rent-stabilized buildings, first reported in 2019. And with the growth came complaints that people with severe mental health and substance abuse issues were being “dumped” in apartments without necessary services.
The lapses continue. An attendee at ANC 3F’s October 14th meeting excoriated the District, saying voucher renters in The Chesapeake Apartments (4607 Connecticut Avenue) were arriving with nothing but mattresses.
At the same meeting, 3F Chair Courtney Carlson asked that MPD Lt. Bobbette Forrest of PSA 203 report domestic violence data at future ANC meetings. Carlson said that tenants in apartment buildings along Connecticut Avenue have been reporting an increase. Indeed, a FOIA request of MPD data from 2017 through 2024 revealed domestic disturbances doubled during that period.
Separately, data shared by DC’s Child and Family Services Agency in advance of Council oversight hearings showed investigations of child abuse and neglect quadrupled in Ward 3 since 2017. And since September 2024, three children have died.
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KRA says
Only a mattress? Yes. At least one visit a month? No. It’s not clear what the visit is about, or why it’s conducted … but someone needs to get this program better aligned with what the DC Government believes and is telling the public. When the building Manager (and residents) end up having to deal with domestic problems, threats to other residents, repeated violations of the lease agreement, a lack of furnishings, little if any food, begging for money, food, and cigarettes from other residents … something is not working. Someone needs to visit a few of the managers (off the record) and get the actual details and occurrences … then speak with the PSH Program’s Director.
Aline Martinez says
are the behavioral health services provided by DC government directly or does the DC government contract out the work? If the work is contracted out, how is it being tracked for compliance? If contracted out, is the contractor collecting a fee without providing a service?
What are the barriers to complying with receiving promised services?
I have read that often, when a contractor is involved, they at times collect the fees for services without providing services or adequate services.
Rebecca Stevens says
This is indeed a major problem for the neighborhood! It is time for positive action to correct the situation. Discussing the problem with no follow up is not the solution. Frumin and the council need to have a plan put in writing to protect all the apartment residents and the neighborhood at large. Everyone wants to help those in need but not at the expense of the safety of the neighborhood.
Charlie says
The rental apartment buildings along Connecticut Avenue used to be upper middle class housing. Over the last decade, however, the public housing vouchers have changed the population of these buildings. Crime has increased both inside and outside the buildings. Living conditions have deteriorated within the buildings. The building owners no longer maintain the buildings properly, preferring instead to harvest the revenues from the housing vouchers while the buildings decay. Many long time residents have moved, usually to locations outside of the city.
Green Eyeshades says
This is part of what Councilmember Frumin reported yesterday, November 6, on his website about his roundtable with Councilmember Henderson on November 6:
“Today we held a marathon joint hearing with the Committee on Health about challenges in the permanent supportive housing voucher program. For years, residents have raised issues with this program, hoping for its success but deeply concerned about its apparent shortcomings. ANC 3F and various tenant associations have been particularly active on these issues, forming a working group in search of solutions. Our hearing brought together a cross section of stakeholders including the creator of the Housing First model. It also proved to be a fortuitous demonstration of the Heisenberg Principle – the act of observing can change the phenomenon observed. The Department of Behavioral Health announced today that they have created a hotline for neighbors and landlords and will assign specialists to address issues at eight buildings in the Connecticut Avenue corridor.” [snip]
In my opinion, that is the fourth or fifth time the executive branch has promised a “hotline” and promised to “assign specialists.” Previous promises may have been made by a different department or even a Deputy Mayor, but the results were always the same — no consistent action, no improvement.
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-Ward-3-Newsletter-for-November-6.html?soid=1139742522800&aid=R597uT51_OY