(Washington, DC)  Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and administration officials announced that the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH) have entered into an agreement that will provide 300 units of supportive housing for the exclusive use of DMH consumers.

“We are committed to ensuring that District residents in need of public mental health services receive the support they need,” said Mayor Fenty.  “This partnership will provide much needed affordable housing combined with flexible mental health services that promote recovery.”

DMH will provide $14 million to DHCD for financing the acquisition, construction or rehabilitation of 300 units of supportive housing for persons who are eligible to receive mental health services or support from DMH.  DHCD will leverage these funds by working with other government entities, community development corporations, faith-based organizations and others to develop the housing units.  Funding will be provided as grants.

“We have heard over and over that access to affordable housing is the number one desire for individuals with mental illness,” said DMH Director Steve Baron. “This partnership with DHCD will help us address access, and we at DMH will continue to provide flexible mental health services and support when wanted or needed.”

Last year, DMH served 13,000 residents including 3,000 children and youth.  The agreement with DHCD will increase the number of residents receiving housing support by 50 percent. Currently, 700 people with mental illness receive some sort of housing subsidy.  New York and Baltimore have similar housing programs that are part of the nationally recognized standard that mental health is best addressed when housing availability is addressed simultaneously.

“We are pleased to partner with DMH in a way that will allow the City to better serve residents with mental illnesses,” said Leila Finucane Edmonds, DHCD Director.  “This undertaking will be a forerunner for housing and other supportive services for the District of Columbia special needs population.”

DHCD will approve funding for 150 supportive units in the first year, with DMH consumers able to take up residence by next May.  The funding for the remaining 150 units will be put in place within two years, allowing DMH clients to occupy those units within 36 months.  

There are currently six projects planned by DHCD located throughout the District in Wards 3,4,5,7 and 8.  These projects will yield approximately 230 units of affordable housing, with 97 units reserved for DMH consumers as part of the agreement.