Individuals experiencing homelessness in the District will have increased access to services and support beginning in February* following the opening of the Downtown Day Services Center (The Center), a daytime facility to be operated by the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) with support from the DC Department of Human Services and services from Pathways to Housing DC and HIPS. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Feb. 25* will host a ceremonial ribbon cutting for The Center.
The Center will offer on-site support for individuals experiencing homelessness by providing a multitude of services within a single point of access, including: food, showers and laundry, restrooms, housing services, assistance in obtaining vital records, health care, harm reduction services, computer access, social workers, behavioral health, legal assistance, employment support and housing assessment. The Center will utilize a Housing First method to move individuals into permanent supportive housing.
[Click here to access the Downtown Day Services Center information flyer.]
The Center is also supported by partnerships with agencies and organizations such as the District Department of Employment Services, the District Department of Health, the District Department of Motor Vehicles, the Economic Security Administration, Unity Health Care and the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless.
The Center will operate from 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church (1313 New York Avenue) in DowntownDC. The District of Columbia last year awarded the BID a $1.7 million grant to open and operate The Center.
For more information or to get involved, please contact the DowntownDC BID at 202-638-3232.
*Updated Feb. 11: This story was updated on Feb. 11 to reflect The Center’s new opening timeline of late February and the new ribbon-cutting date of Feb. 25.