Help UPO Help the DC Homeless

During the past quarter UPO’s Shelter Hotline team has diligently continued to protect people who live on the streets of DC. We check on their health, drive them to shelters and cooling centers, and provide them with lifesaving comfort items, food, clothing and protection against the elements.

While it is difficult to precisely determine the total number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the District that have taken advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated, we can confidently say, the overall response has been high. As COVID19 vaccine became readily available, homeless providers worked strategically to ensure easy access as well as assistance to our most vulnerable residents to get vaccinated. Among the homeless population, those in low barrier shelters represented a higher vaccination rate (with at least 1 of 2 shots), as evidenced by a notable decrease in COVID19 transmission across the shelter system. Although the Delta variant is becoming more rampant across the country, there has not been any reported outbreak or significant increase of transmission among the homeless population in the District. However, this serious strain of the virus is being closely monitored by the homeless system as to the extent of impact on individuals experiencing homelessness.

The MDL Flats, located at 1550 1st St. SW are now completed and are open to 76 individuals and families, who can expect to celebrate Thanksgiving in their new homes, with upgraded amenities. All residents in this 100% affordable, new construction community are at 50% of area median income and below. We expect that another new building, MDXL flats, located at 1530 1^st St., also being developed by TM Associates, will close in December 2021. The sister project to MDL flats will provided 101 units of affordable housing and expanded amenity space.

The Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program has made a strong delivery to house individuals and families facing homelessness. MDL Flats is already practically full with 14 of the 15 PSH units already approved. The PSH units at MDL Flats are one of the few in the District to provide 4-bedroom homes for the larger families in the District needing permanent homes. Overall, the PSH program has received 54 clients, and housed 46 of them. As the weather cools down, it becomes even harder for our families without a home to receive adequate care and comfort.

We are very grateful to all our supporters who so generously supported our appeal for support of our PSH program on GlobalGiving’s Bonus Day 2021 on Wednesday July 14, 2021. We had set a goal to raise $10,000 to assist at least 5 DC neighbors with household supplies and furniture when they move from homelessness into their new homes. With your help we raised $6,500!

Please note our suggested Giving Opportunities for support of Help UPO Help the DC Homeless is now giving you the opportunity to:

• Support the unfortunate homeless who are still out on the streets of DC with lifesaving comfort items, food, clothing and protection against the elements
• Help us raise the remaining $3,500 we need to reach our goal of $10,000 to assist at least 5 DC neighbors with household supplies and furniture when they move from homelessness into their new homes.

Keep the Homeless of DC in mind by including Help UPO Help the DC Homeless in your year-end giving. They need your help in support of improving their lives. Please make a donation to Help UPO Help the DC Homeless today. Thank you for your generous support.