New lease signers: Antonio Wells’ daughter is 4yrs old. Dyesha Harris’ daughter/son are 3&7yrs old. They’re among 422 formerly homeless benefiting from DC Home For The Holidays campaign. @DCHumanServ @MayorBowser #PathwaysToTheMiddleClass @WTOP pic.twitter.com/8oHr4HoRBI
— Kristi King (@kingWTOP) January 10, 2018
WASHINGTON — D.C.’s Home For The Holidays campaign wrapped up Wednesday with a lease-signing ceremony for some of the people it helped move into permanent housing in recent months.
“There are actually individuals and families who have leased up,” said Laura Zeilinger, director of the D.C. Department of Human Services.
Of the 422 new lease holders, 107 are individuals, Zeilinger said; the rest are families.
Everyone involved in the program pays rent, with the help of different types of housing subsidies depending upon the individual’s situation.
“It’s been a real struggle for me, so this is a very good opportunity,” said one of the lease signers, Edweana Rucker, 31.
Rucker said she appreciates the help she and her 2-year-old son have received throughout the experience.
“I’m in school and I have a part-time job, and I’m just trying to better myself,” Rucker said. “We’re excited, so thank you.”
The Home For The Holidays campaign is part of a 5-year strategic plan initiated in 2015 to address homelessness in the District.
Between 2016 and 2017, DC saw homelessness among families drop 22 percent; veterans experiencing homelessness was reduced by 15 percent, and there was a 3 percent reduction in homelessness among individuals. Overall, homelessness dropped 10.5 percent.
