(WASHINGTON, DC) – On Wednesday, September 26, at 11 am, Mayor Bowser will cut the ribbon on “The Kennedy,” a Short-Term Family Housing program in Ward 4, marking another step forward in delivering on her promise to close and replace DC General Family Shelter with dignified, service-enriched programs across all eight wards.
The newly constructed Ward 4 Short Term Family program will include 45 family units, computer labs for the residents, administrative space for staff and providers, outdoor playground and recreational space, age-appropriate indoor recreation space, homework/study lounge for residents and other amenities.
Earlier this year, Mayor Bowser released her plan and timeline to close DC General Family Shelter by the end of 2018, keeping a promise to District residents to close – once and for all – the outdated shelter. In its place, smaller, more dignified programs are being built across all eight wards. In addition to the Ward 4 program, two additional short-term family housing programs – in Wards 7 and 8 – will open in October and November, respectively. These short-term family housing programs join the Patricia Handy Place for Women, a low-barrier shelter for women in Ward 2, that began providing services to District women in need of a safe place to stay in early 2016. These Short-term Family Housing programs are the centerpiece of the transformation of Mayor Bowser’s emergency response system for families. The Kennedy will be the first of the new sites to begin delivering services to families.
WHEN:
Wednesday, September 26, at 11 am
WHO:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Councilmember Brandon Todd, Ward 4
Laura Zeilinger, Director, Department of Human Services
Greer Gillis, Director, Department of General Services
Lisa Colbert, Co-Chair, Ward 4 Short-Term Family Housing Advisory Team
WHERE:
The Kennedy
5505 5th Street, NW
*Closest Metro: Fort Totten Metro Station*
Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to [email protected]. To view the event online, visit mayor.dc.gov/live or tune in on Channel 16 (DCN).