Homelessness in Washington, DC:

• Homelessness is a persistent challenge in DC, affecting thousands of individuals and families.
  • 72 out of 10,000 residents are homeless
• Lack of affordable housing and limited awareness or access to available resources
• Foster community well-being and promote equitable opportunities for all residents

• Policy Issue: Limited availability of affordable housing paired with inadequate access to homelessness resources and services.
• Importance: Many individuals face homelessness not only because they lack housing but also due to barriers in navigating available support systems.
• Proposed Solution: Increase affordable housing units while improving the accessibility and visibility of essential services for homeless individuals.

To further enhance the impact of the policy, I propose adapting the Open Referral platform. Open Referral is an open-source platform designed to improve the findability and accessibility of community resources.

For this project, Open Referral would be modified to:

• Include comprehensive data on all homeless services in DC, standardized according to Open Referral’s format.
• Integrate with existing data systems in DC, such as HMIS and the 311 service request system.
• Incorporate features like real-time availability of shelter beds, personalized recommendations, and offline access.

• Proactive strategies, efficient targeting of resources, service integration, and prevention-centered approaches are crucial for effectively addressing homelessness
• Housing Affordability: DC’s rising housing costs far outpace wage growth, exacerbating homelessness
• Barriers to Accessing Services: Many individuals lack knowledge of available programs or face difficulties navigating them
• Evidence from research highlights the dual importance of housing solutions and supportive service networks.

My proposed policy solution aligns with these findings by emphasizing the expansion of affordable housing programs coupled with supportive services and community engagement.