Mayor Vincent C. Gray Breaks Ground on La Casa Project to House Chronically Homeless Men

WASHINGTON, DC) – Mayor Vincent C. Gray officially broke ground today on the La Casa Project in the Mount Pleasant/Columbia Heights section of the District. Once completed, La Casa is slated to be the first single-site initiative designed for chronically homeless men under the Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSHP), with a preference for veterans and those with mental illness. The current plan is for 40 efficiency units.

“La Casa is an excellent solution in addressing the need to move chronically homeless men and veterans away from shelter environments and into a Permanent Supportive Housing situation,” Mayor Gray said. “Our goal is to help these men, who require more specialized services, move into stable and sustainable housing rather than shelters.”

The La Casa Project will provide quality housing along revitalizing 14th Street Corridor. The neighborhood has many amenities within walking distance – including multiple modes of public transportation and retail and entertainment options – along with many new housing developments. The provision of housing, coupled with the supportive services, will enable formerly chronically homeless men to obtain and maintain housing stability with the highest degree of self-sufficiency possible.

Additionally, the project is pursuing LEED Gold certification, which is the same level of sustainability certification required for all new federal construction and major renovation projects. LEED Gold projects are anticipated to have significantly lower energy costs overall and a reduced environmental impact.

“The Department of General Services (DGS) is excited about the design of the La Casa Project, which is much closer in character to the condos next door than a shelter,” said DGS Director Brian J. Hanlon. “The new, vibrant and engaging La Casa will change the perception of homeless care facilities as bland buildings in the District.”