Food Security United States Project #20051

Help UPO Help the DC Homeless

Summary

While many of us have protection from the elements, from icy conditions to searing heat in the summer, the homeless do not. UPO helps the DC homeless in several ways throughout the year. The UPO Shelter Hotline vans transported 187,323 people to shelter last year, providing comfort items for the homeless people we assist. UPO's Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSHP), which helps to house persons facing homelessness, was established in February 2020 and to date has housed 35 clients.

$55,000
total goal

$11,351
remaining

403
donors

5
monthly donors

7
fundraisers

7
years

Challenge

UPO's new Affordable Housing Development at 1550 1st St. SW DC, developed by our partners TM Associates, will be completed this summer and UPO's PSHP will be the onsite case manager, helping residents who earn 30% or less of the area's median income with rentals in our new apartment building. It is extremely challenging for families and individuals moving into a home from homelessness, and assistance in funding their household supplies and furnishings will be greatly needed.

Solution

The 2021 Point in Time Count of Homeless (PIT) showed that the total number of persons experiencing homelessness in the District decreased by 19.9% from 2020, and family homelessness decreased by nearly 50% since last year and by 68.1% since the 2017 PIT count. UPO's Affordable Housing Division is now providing high quality affordable rental homes for the DC Homeless. With your generous support, we can reach our goal of raising $10,000 to assist our homeless DC neighbors with household supplies.

Long-Term Impact

UPO's mission is Uniting People with Opportunities. We provide services for the DC homeless through our programs. UPO's Office of Early Learning provides their children with free education and family support. UPO's Workforce Institute provides free job training and job placement support. UPO's Affordable Housing Division provides high quality affordable rental homes. As we help the homeless to self-sufficiency, we believe that they deserve the decency of basic comforts we take for granted.