Press Release

»DowntownDC BID»Homeless Services
Skip to Content

PRESS RELEASE: DowntownDC BID Announces Debra Kilpatrick Byrd as Director of Homeless Services

Wed. November 25, 202o

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Debra Kilpatrick Byrd joined the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 as the BID’s new Director of Homeless Services. Byrd will be leading the BID’s homeless services strategy—including supporting individuals experiencing homelessness through the Downtown Day Services Center (The Center) and working to decrease the rate of homelessness in DowntownDC by connecting individuals to permanent supportive housing. 

“We are thrilled to have Debra leading the DowntownDC BID’s effort to improve the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness in downtown,” said BID President & CEO Neil Albert. “Alleviating homelessness remains one of the BID’s top priorities. Debra’s experience and expertise will continue to drive our efforts in the right direction.” 

Byrd possesses over two decades of experience encompassing management, community outreach, government relations, program development and marketing leadership. Having held several executive level positions, she has been responsible for many nationally successful initiatives and specializes in non-profit homeless program development, fund development, and overall operations. Debra has served on a variety of local and national health projects and panels and offers a vast amount of expertise in health disparities, homeless prevention and mental health disorders. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to join the DowntownDC BID as Director of Homeless Services, a position that will allow me to fulfill my passion which is driven by uplifting the lives of our City’s most vulnerable residents,” said Debra Kilpatrick Byrd. “I am confident that the collective efforts of our leadership, staff and partners will help transform the lives of individuals who are experiencing homelessness, as well improve the quality of life for our residents and businesses and the experience of our visitors.” 

Debra and her team will continue the BID’s annual Thanksgiving Day tradition this year, serving a hot and healthy meal to people experiencing homelessness downtown this Thursday Nov. 26. Thanksgiving meals will be served in the park adjacent to The Center (1313 New York Avenue NW) from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.  

###

About The DowntownDC Business Improvement District

The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) was founded in 1997 and is a private non-profit organization that provides capital improvements, resources and research that keep the BID area clean, safe, economically and environmentally strong and accessible. The DowntownDC BID is a catalyst, facilitator and thought leader in diversifying the economy, promoting public/private partnerships and enhancing the DowntownDC experience for all. This special district, where property owners have agreed to tax themselves to fund services, encompasses a 138-block area of approximately 520 properties from Massachusetts Avenue on the north to Constitution Avenue on the south, and from Louisiana Avenue on the east to 16th Street on the west. For more information, visit DowntownDC.org or follow us on Twitter @downtowndcbid.