2026-10-08 - Committee on Human Services

CHAIR FRUMIN: GOOD MORNING. I'M MATT FRUMIN, CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES. TODAY IS OCTOBER 8, 2026. WE ARE MEETING IN ROOM 500 OF THE JOHN A WILSON BUILDING AND ON ZOOM. ON THE ZOOM

VIRTUAL PLATFORM. THE TIME IS NOW 10:04 A.M. I BELIEVE I'M JOINED ONLINE BY COUNCILMEMBER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING. TODAY WE ARE CONDUCTING AN OVERSIGHT ROUNDTABLE ON THE ELIGIBILITY

DETERMINATION PROCESS AT THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES OR DHS. VIRGINIA WILLIAMS IS THE CENTRAL INTAKE CENTER FOR FAMILIES APPLYING TO ENTER

THE DISTRICT'S HOMELESS SERVICES SYSTEM. STAFF AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS HAVE SOME OF THE HARDEST JOBS IN THE DISTRICT, GOVERNMENT. THEY MUST QUICKLY MAKE COMPLEX AND FACT-INTENSIVE DETERMINATIONS ABOUT

SHELTER ELIGIBILITY, DECISIONS WITH LIFE-CHANGING CONSEQUENCES FOR FAMILIES. NO SYSTEM OF DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY WILL BE PERFECT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE COMMITTEE HAS HEARD YEARS OF CONCERNS FROM

RESIDENTS WHOSE ACCESS TO SHELTER WAS DELAYED OR DENIED BECAUSE OF BURDENSOME DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS AND AVOIDABLE MISTAKES. FAMILIES IN LITIGATION AGAINST LANDLORDS FOR OPERATING SUBSTANDARD HOUSING

HAVE BEEN ASKED TO PRODUCE LETTERS FROM THOSE LANDLORDS SAYING THE APARTMENTS ARE UNINHABITABLE. FAMILIES LIVING IN THEIR VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DENIED SHELTER BECAUSE DHS STAFF DETERMINED THE CARS DID

NOT SHOW ENOUGH EVIDENCE OF BEING SLEPT IN. FAMILIES HAVE BEEN ASKED TO PROVIDE LEASES FROM RELATIVES THEY STAYED WITH YEARS AGO. JUST AS CONCERNING, FAMILIES WHO ARE DENIED SHELTER MAY BE REFERRED TO

A PROGRAM THAT DOES NOT ALWAYS PROVIDE SUPPORT NEEDED TO PREVENT A RETURN TO HOMELESSNESS. THE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM OR HPP OFFERS SERVICES LIKE MEDIATION AND FLEXIBLE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS. FAMILIES CAN RECEIVE HPP IF THEY ARE OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE FOR HOMELESS SERVICES BUT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY ON THE NIGHT THEY PRESENT AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. ACCORDING TO DHS,

BY OFFERING TARGETED SERVICES AND FLEXIBLE SUPPORTS, HPP WORKS TO STABILIZE FAMILIES BEFORE THEY ENTER THE SHELTER SYSTEM, AND THE AGENCY HAS LEANED INTO THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF PREVENTION. IN

FY-25, MORE THAN TWICE AS MANY FAMILIES WERE REFERRED TO HPP AS ENTERED SHELTER. UNFORTUNATELY, MOST HPP PARTICIPANTS RETURNED TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS WITHIN TWO YEARS. MORE THAN HALF OF FISCAL FY-25

PARTICIPANTS HAVE SINCE PRESENTED AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS A SECOND, THIRD, OR FOURTH TIME. TODAY WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THE PROCESS BEHIND AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE DECISIONS MADE AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS,

INCLUDING THE DECISION TO REFER FAMILY TO HPP. WE WILL BE EXAMINING WHETHER DHS DECISIONS ACCURATELY REFLECT FAMILIES' ELIGIBILITY ARE FAIR AND CONSISTENT AND SET FAMILIES UP FOR LONG-TERM HOUSING

STABILITY. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM TODAY'S WITNESSES, AND I'M GRATEFUL TO DIRECTOR PIERRE FOR JOINING US TODAY. BEFORE I TURN TO COLLEAGUES, I WILL SAY THAT I WAS DISAPPOINTED BY DHS'S FAILURE

TO RESPOND TO REQUEST FOR DOCUMENTS WE MADE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS: ALL CURRENTLY APPLICABLE REGULATIONS, WRITTEN POLICIES, WRITTEN PROCEDURES, EMPLOYEE

HANDBOOKS, EMPLOYEE TRAINING MATERIALS, FORMAL AND INFORMAL EMPLOYEE GUIDANCE, AND ANY SIMILAR DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE AGENCY DESCRIBING, GOVERNING OR RELATING TO THE PROCESS OF DECIDING THE FAMILY

SERVICES ADMINISTRATION'S INTERVENTIONS FOR WHICH A FAMILY IS OR IS NOT ELIGIBLE AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, INCLUDING THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT MAPPING FORM AND ALL ELIGIBILITY SCRIPTS. DHS DID NOT PROVIDE ANY

OF THE DOCUMENTS BECAUSE DISTRIBUTING ITS ELIGIBILITY SCRIPTS, IN PARTICULAR, COULD LEAD TO DISRUPTIONS OF DHS'S OPERATIONAL PROCESSES. AS THE COMMITTEE SAID IN THE LETTER SENT WITH ITS PRE-HEARING

QUESTIONS, DHS MUST PROVIDE WHAT THE COMMITTEE REQUESTED UNDER D.C. CODE 1-301.44C. NO AGENCY CAN WITHHOLD DOCUMENTS OR INFORMATION FROM THE COUNCIL UNLESS A FEW NARROW EXCEPTIONS APPLY. DHS

ACKNOWLEDGED THAT NONE APPLY HERE. WHEN THE COMMITTEE RENEWED ITS REQUEST, DHS CONTINUED TO REFUSE WITHOUT GIVING A REASON, JUST THIS MORNING, WE RECEIVED A FEW CLIENT-FACING DOCUMENTS AND NO

ELIGIBILITY SCRIPTS. AT THE SAME TIME, WE RECEIVED DATA WE HAD REQUESTED NEARLY A MONTH AGO, DOCUMENTING THE OUTCOME OF THE ASSESSMENTS AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. THIS BASIC INFORMATION DHS SHOULD ALREADY

BE TRACKING AND THAT SHOULD BE EASY FOR IT TO PRODUCE. AS I SAID EARLIER IN MY REMARKS, WE ARE APPROACHING TODAY WITH A SPIRIT OF OPENNESS AND A DESIRE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY'S WORK. WHEN WE

ASK FOR FOUNDATIONAL INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS, THE FOUNDATIONAL INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS WE REQUESTED, WE DID SO IN THAT SPIRIT. THE AGENCY'S RELUCTANCE TO DISCLOSE, HOWEVER, IS DISAPPOINTING AND

CONCERNING. WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE PROCESSES ARE FAIR, CONSISTENT, AND FOLLOW THE LAW. I LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS REQUESTED LAST MONTH SO WE CAN CONTINUE THAT WORK. I

WILL SAY THE CONFECTION HER HERE,-- THE CONTEXT HERE, THAT IS VERY TRICKY BUSINESS. WHAT DHS HAS BEEN DOING, WHICH IS TRYING TO FIND ALTERNATIVES TO SHELTER, IS A POLICY THAT I AGREE WITH. I THINK

THAT SHELTERS-- SHELTER IS NOT THE BEST SOLUTION OFTENTIMES. IF THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO ADDRESS A FAMILY'S NEEDS, THEN WE SHOULD BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THOSE OTHER NEEDS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, SO WE

HAVE A SHARED VIEW OF WHAT IS TRYING TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. NO SYSTEM IS GOING TO BE PERFECT, BUT WHEN SOMETHING IS IMPERFECT HERE, YOU HAVE A FAMILY AND PERHAPS A CHILD SITTING ON A BENCH WAITING TO

FIND A PLACE TO STAY THAT NIGHT LATE INTO THE NIGHT. THE STAKES ARE HIGH. AND SO WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING THIS AS WELL AS POSSIBLE IS A REALLY IMPORTANT PROJECT. THAT IS WHAT

THIS IS ABOUT. FUNDAMENTALLY, IT IS NOT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE QUESTIONING THE GOALS THAT DHS HAS SET, INCLUDING THE GOALS TO FIND ALTERNATIVES TO SHELTER FOR AS MANY PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AS POSSIBLE. BUT

IT IS ALL ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION. WE NEED TO BE TRANSPARENT AND WORK TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY THE PLACES WHERE IMPLEMENTATION IS WANTING, AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO HERE. I THINK IT IS THE GOAL

FOR DHS. WE WANT TO BE A PARTNER IN THAT. WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN TO MY COLLEAGUE TRAYON WHITE WHO I SEE ON CAMERA. COUNCILMEMBER WHITE, IF YOU HAVE ANY OPENING MARKS. >> I DO, CHAIRMAN. THANK

YOU FOR THIS. CAN YOU HEAR ME? CHAIR FRUMIN: SURE CAN. >> OKAY. GREAT. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS ROUNDTABLE ON THE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS AT THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER.

ELIGIBLE FAMILIES WITHOUT A SAFE PLACE TO STAY THE NIGHT PRESENTS AN ISSUE FOR THE DISTRICT AND VIRGINIA WILLIAMS' TASK, REFERRING TO THEM TO A SHELTER, FOR ELIGIBLE FAMILIES FOR A SAFE PLACE TO STAY.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS ROUNDTABLE IS A PROCESS THAT CONCERNS ME AND OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS. TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT WORK BETTER FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS. I LOOK FORWARD TO

HEARING FROM THOSE CONSTITUENTS TODAY. WE HAVE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS AND LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS ABOUT PROCESS USED TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR HOMELESS SERVICES, GENERALLY FOR-- GENERALLY AND FOR

SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, ABOUT THE PROCESS OF BEING SENSITIVE, CHALLENGING, INVASIVE, UNFAIR, AND INCONSISTENT APPLYING ACROSS THE BOARD. ESPECIALLY IN THE COMPLEX CIRCUMSTANCES. I HAVE

ALSO HEARD CONCERNS FROM WARD 8 RESIDENTS ABOUT THE ISSUES THEY HAVE FACED WITH VIRGINIA WILLIAMS SPECIFICALLY. BY THE TIME IT GETS TO THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FAMILY RESOURCE ENTER, OUR UNHOUSED

NEIGHBOR FAMILIES FIND THEMSELVES IN DIRE SITUATIONS THAT NEED-- THAT WE DON'T NEED TO MAKE-- WE DON'T NEED THAT TO BE WORSENED. WE LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS. I AND TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE

ALWAYS SAID EQUITY DEMANDED BY RESIDENTS, WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT THE RESOURCES ARE ALLOCATED MAKE IT TO THEM IN AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE WAY. I WELCOME AND THANK TODAY'S WITNESSES, INPUT AND

DIALOGUE, SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW TO MAKE GOVERNMENT WORK BETTER FOR THE RESIDENTS WE ARE ELECTED TO SERVE. AND THERE HAS BEEN A NUMBER OF ISSUES ALONG THE WAY WITH THESE SERVICES. IT IS MY HOPE WE

CAN GET SOME ANSWERS TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN FIX IT. I LOOK FORWARD TO SOME OF THE TESTIMONY. I WILL BE IN AND OUT OF HERE TODAY, BUT MY STAFF WILL BE HERE FOR MOST OF THE DAY LISTENING AND TAKING

NOTES AND ASKING QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHITE. BEFORE WE HEAR FROM PUBLIC WITNESSES, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A NOTE ON LOGISTICS. I ASK THAT ALL WITNESSES LIMIT

THEIR TESTIMONY TO THEIR ALLOTTED TIME. THE FIRST REPRESENTATIVE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF AN ORGANIZATION WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES. ALL OTHER WITNESSES WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES. IF YOU ARE HERE TO TESTIFY

IN PERSON, WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED, PLEASE TAKE A SEAT AT THE TABLE IN FRONT OF ME. BEFORE YOU SPEAK, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO TURN ON THE MICROPHONE IN FRONT OF YOUR SEAT. OUR FIRST PUBLIC WITNESS ISS

ARE DAWN DALTON, MICAELA DEMING, THEE RESA PUHR-- THERESA PUHR, JASMINE FERGUSON. WONDERFUL. OKAY. MS. DALTON, WHEN YOU ARE READY. OKAY. MS. DEMING. WHEN YOU ARE READY. >> THANK YOU, CHAIRPERSON AND

COMMITTEE. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY. I'M MICAELA DEMING, THE POLICY DIRECTOR FOR THE D.C. COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED STATEWIDE

COALITION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICE PROVIDERS HERE IN D.C. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A LEADING CAUSE OF HOMELESSNESS. IN THE 2026 PIT COUNT, 44% OF HOMELESS ADULTS AND FAMILIES AND YOUTH FAMILY HEADS OF

HOUSEHOLD REPORTED EXPERIENCES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE ALSO KNOW THAT HOUSING IS THE NUMBER ONE UNMET NEED FOR SURVIVORS IN D.C. YET ONLY 4% OF EMERGENCY AND TEMPORARY HOUSING UNITS IN THE DISTRICT

ARE EVEN DESIGNATED FOR SURVIVORS. ONLY ONE IN THREE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS HAS ACCESS TO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE-SPECIFIC UNIT. MANY, IF NOT MOST, SURVIVORS WHO ARE HOMELESS ARE IN THE GENERAL

HOUSING CONTINUUM. THEIR HOUSING IS NOT DESIGNATED TO PROVIDE SAFETY, SUPPORT, AND HEALING. UNDER D.C. CODE, SURVIVORS CAN SEEK SHELTER BY REASON OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITHOUT DEMONSTRATING A

RESIDENCY. IF THEY DO NOT HAVE A SAFE PERMANENT RESIDENCE. HOWEVER, VIRGINIA WILLIAMS WEBSITE STATES CLIENTS MUST BRING AN I.D., BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND PROOF OF RESIDENCY, AMONG OTHER DOCUMENTS TO

ACCESS SHELTER AND SERVICES. THE WEBSITE INFORMATION ITSELF CAN BE A BARRIER TO SURVIVORS SEEKING SUPPORT. SOME SURVIVORS ARE ALSO BEING SCREENED OUT BY STAFF FOR LACKING THOSE DOCUMENTATION. WE HEAR

FROM ADVOCATES AND SURVIVORS FREQUENTLY ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED WHEN TRYING TO ACCESS SERVICES AT THE DHS SYSTEM. AND THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS SPECIFICALLY, WE

KNOW THAT SOME SURVIVORS HAVE BEEN LEFT UNACKNOWLEDGED IN THE WAITING AREA, UNSERVED UNLESS AN ADVOCATE DEMANDS THE RECOGNITION. SURVIVORS HAVE BEEN REFUSED SERVICE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH

AND DIDN'T BRING SOMEONE WITH THEM TO INTERPRET. SURVIVORS ARE TURNED AWAY FOR DIVERSION TO TEMPORARILY STAY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITHOUT ANY REGARD FOR THEIR SAFETY IN THOSE HOMES AND WITH THOSE

FRIENDS AND FAMILY. THESE ARE NOT ISOLATED STORIES. THEY ARE FROM AS RECENT AS LAST WEEK. VIRGINIA WILLIAMS DOES HAVE A CO-LOCATED DASH TEAM TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS. IT IS STILL THE FRONT LINE EL JIBLGHT

STAFF THAT HAS TO PROPERLY SCREEN, IDENTIFY, AND REFER SURVIVORS TO RECEIVE THAT SUPPORT. THOSE SURVIVORS I MENTIONED WERE UNABLE TO GET SERVICE FROM THE FRONT LINE STAFF, AND THE PROCESS TO EVEN GET

TO THE DASH STAFF FOR RECOGNITION DIDN'T HAPPEN. AS YOU KNOW, DHS HAS IMPLEMENTED A NEW PROCESS TO OBTAIN PROOF OF RESIDENCY FORMS. THEY DID THAT IN AUGUST. YET AN I.Z. REQUIRED BY VIRGINIA WILLIAMS

TO ACCESS HOMELESSNESS SERVICES SYSTEM AND TO MOVE FROM AN EMERGENCY ROOM-- EMERGENCY HOUSING UNIT TO A TRADITIONAL OR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNIT. AFTER MONTHS OF SHARING OUR CONCERNS AND REMINDING DHS

OF THE LONGSTANDING FEDERAL AND DISTRICT CODE PROTECTIONS, THEY RULED OUT THEIR NEW PROCESS THAT EVEN THEY ACKNOWLEDGE EXCLUDES SURVIVORS AND HAVE STILL NOT DEVELOPED A LEGALLY COMPLIANT SOLUTION.

LAST WEEK, DHS SUGGESTED TO US THAT THEY WITHDRAW COMPLETELY FROM THE I.D. PROCESS FOR SURVIVORS AND DIRECTED US TO TAKE UP OUR CONCERNS WITH THE DMV INSTEAD. MEANINGFUL COLLABORATION IS NOT MAKING A

DECISION AND TELLING STAKEHOLDERS. IT IS NOT GATHERING FEEDBACK AND NOT INCORPORATING ANY OF IT. THE REAL STORIES OF SURVIVORS BEING UNABLE TO EXIT EMERGENCY HOUSING OR MOVE FORWARD WITH THEIR SAFETY

PLANS TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES MOUNT DAY BY DAY. THEY ARE BEING SENT TO DAY CENTERS AND MAINSTREAM SERVICE PROVIDERS PER DHS INSTRUCTIONS, ONLY TO BE TURNED AWAY WITH THEIR CHILDREN AT THE DOOR. THEY

ARE UNABLE TO MOVE INTO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING WITHOUT AN I.D. WE NEED A SOLUTION NOW REGARDLESS OF DHS'S RECALLS TRANCE. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN, WE APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM CONTINUING TO SPOTLIGHT

THIS ISSUE. WE MUST ASK THAT YOU PROVIDE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT TO SURVIVORS BY INTRODUCING EMERGENCY LEGISLATION THAT ENABLES THEM TO ACCESS RESIDENT I.D.S NOW. SURVIVORS ARE LOSING ACCESS TO CRITICAL

SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY AND MORE PERMANENT HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES EVERY DAY THAT A SOLUTION IS DELAYED. WE AT THE COALITION STAND READY TO SUPPORT A SOLUTION. THANK YOU. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU VERY

MUCH. MS. DALTON. >> THANK YOU, CHAIRPERSON FRUMIN AND STAFF FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY. MY NAME IS DAWN DALTON. TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE D.C. COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. DHS'S

MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES, SUPPORTS, AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES TO ALL DISTRICT RESIDENTS, INCLUDING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. YET DHS LEADERSHIP CONTINUES TO DOWNPLAY THE INTERSECTION OF

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOMELESSNESS, FAMILY HOMELESSNESS, SPECIFICALLY. IT DOES NOT DEVOTE FUNDING AND CONSIDERATION ON PAR WITH THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO REPORT THAT DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE IS THE CAUSE OF THEIR HOMELESSNESS. EVEN IF DHS WERE TO BEGIN PROACTIVELY IDENTIFYING MORE SURVIVORS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS-SPECIFIC PROVIDERS WOULD BE UNABLE TO MEET THE NEED. DHS DOES

NOT FUND THEM ENOUGH TO DO SO. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES MAKE UP LESS THAN 1% OF THE DHS FAMILY SERVICES BUDGET, EVEN THOUGH NEARLY HALF OF HOMELESS FAMILIES REPORT EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

MOST SURVIVORS WHO ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO RECEIVE HOUSING SERVICES WILL INTERACT FREQUENTLY WITH SOCIAL SERVICES STAFF WHO ARE NOT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE-SPECIFIC SERVICE PROVIDERS. WE HEAR FROM SURVIVORS

THAT MANY DO NOT RECEIVE EMPATHETIC TRAUMA-INFORMED TREATMENT FROM DHS STAFF. MANY ARE NOT APPROPRIATELY REFERRED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR SERVICES, AND IN THEIR RESPONSE TO THIS COMMITTEE'S

PERFORMANCE OVERSIGHT QUESTIONS EARLIER THIS YEAR, ABOUT SPECIFIC TRAINING AND MATERIALS USED TO EDUCATE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS STAFF, ON MEETING THE NEEDS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS, DHS NOTED OUR

ORGANIZATION'S 40-HOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCATE CORE CONFERENCE STATE TRAINING. WHILE OUR TRAINING IS AVAILA AVAILABLE, CURRENTLY, ONLY STAFF WORKING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS ARE REQUIRED TO

ATTEND PER THEIR AGREEMENTS. STAFF AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, AS WELL AS OTHERS IN THE BROADER DHS AND HOMELESS SERVICES NETWORK, ONLY RECEIVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ONE ON ONE TRAINING. THESE TRAININGS HAVE

BEEN GREATLY REDUCED DUE TO FUNDING CUTS THIS PAST YEAR AS WELL. CONSIDERING THE EXPERIENCES REPORTED BY SURVIVORS, DHS MUST COMMIT TO NOT ONLY COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING OF THEIR STAFF BUT TO ALSO

OVERHAUL ITS POLICY AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE TO PRIORITIZE SURVIVOR-CENTERED AND TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES WHICH, IN TURN, IMPROVES SERVICES FOR EVERYONE IN NEED OF THE SERVICES THAT DHS

ADMINISTERS. DHS MUST FOLLOW ITS OWN DATA. TO ADDRESS FAMILY HOMELESSNESS IN THE DISTRICT, DEDICATE RESOURCES FOR HOUSING AND IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING AND PROCESSES THROUGHOUT THE HOMELESS

SERVICES TO TREAT SURVIVORS WITH DIGNITY. WE STAND READY TO SUPPORT AS WE HAVE FOR YEARS, BUT WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT AND ENGAGEMENT FROM DHS LEADERSHIP. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MS. PUHR? >> THANK YOU, CHAIRPERSON FRUMIN. THE COMMITTEE AND STAFF FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY. MY NAME IS THERESA PUHR. I'M THE COORDINATOR FOR THE D.C. COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. AFTER

HEARING FROM SURVIVORS ABOUT PROBLEMS THEY EXPERIENCED AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, A TEAM OF RESEARCHERS COLLECTED AND ANALYZED DATA FROM INTERVIEWS WITH SURVIVORS ON EXPERIENCES AND MADE A SERIES OF

RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY. EVEN AS DHS HAS MADE CHANGES AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS OVER THE YEARS TO CONNECT SURVIVORS WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS, THESE RECOMMENDATIONS REMAIN RELEVANT GIVEN

WHAT THESE CONCERNING ISSUES PERSIST. RESEARCHERS FOUND THE ELIGIBILITY AND INTAKE PROCESS TO BE CONFUSING AND UNPREDICTABLE. SURVIVORS WERE PRONE TO LONG WAIT TIMES. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS WERE

OPAQUE AND SURVIVORS REPORTED HAVING TO RETURN ANOTHER DAY TO PROVE ELIGIBILITY. INCONSISTENT STAFF COMMUNICATION AND DIVERSION GUIDELINES, LIKE DIVERTING SURVIVORS TO STAY WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY CAN

DISQUALIFY SURVIVORS FROM EMERGENCY HOUSING BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT VIEWED AS ACTIVELY FLEEING VIOLENCE. IF SURVIVORS FINISH THE PROCE PROCESS, MANY ARE LEFT WITHOUT VIABLE SAFE OPTIONS AND WERE FORCED

TO MAKE DIFFICULT OR DANGEROUS DECISIONS, INCLUDING RETURNING TO THEIR ABUSIVE PARTNERS. THE STUDY FOUND THAT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS WAS MORE FOCUSED ON DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY THAN DETERMINING NEEDS. AND

RESTRICTING SPENDING RATHER THAN INCREASING SURVIVOR SAFETY. INSTEAD, IT SHOULD IMPLEMENT LOW BARRIER ELIGIBILITY APPROACHES AND UTILIZE NEEDS-BASED ASSESSMENTS THAT PRIORITIZED LIVED EXPERIENCE. DHS

MUST UPDATE ITS WEBSITE AND CLEARLY COMMUNICATE ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, AND OPTIONS TO APPLY FOR SUPPORT. STAFF SHOULD ALSO CLEARLY COMMUNICATE REASONS FOR INELIGIBILITY AND OFFER

NEXT-STEP ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES. RESEARCHERS IDENTIFIED ISSUES WITH THE DV SCREENING PROCESS. THE WRITTEN SCREENING FORM IS NARROW, FOCUSING PRIMARILY ON PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE, WHILE FAILING TO

CAPTURE NON-PHYSICAL ABUSE AND THE INTERSECTION OF ABUSE WITH HOUSING AND STABILITY. VIRGINIA WILLIAMS CONTINUES TO USE THE SAME SCREENING FORM DESPITE THESE IDENTIFIED ISSUES. SURVIVORS ALSO LACK

CLARITY REGARDING CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PRIVACY WHICH DAMPENS THEIR WILLINGNESS TO DISCLOSE ABUSE. TO IMPROVE SCREENING, VIRGINIA WILLIAMS SHOULD REVISE FORMS IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL SERVICE

PROVIDERS AND MAKE IT INCLUSIVE OF NON-PHYSICAL ABUSE. THEY SHOULD ALSO CLEARLY COMMUNICATE CONFIDENTIALITY POLICIES, SURVIVOR RIGHT, AND DATA-HANDLING PRACTICES AND ENSURE THAT ALL STAFF-CLIENT

CONVERSATIONS REGARDING DISCLOSURES TAKE PLACE IN PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL SPACES. VIRGINIA WILLIAMS STAFF TREATMENT OF SURVIVORS WAS ALSO TROUBLING. WHEN SURVIVORS DISCLOSED THEIR EXPERIENCES, SOME

STAFF FAILED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES OR IGNORED THE DISCLOSURES ENTIRELY. MANY FELT THE STAFF WERE COLD, DISMISSIVE, NONEMPATHETIC, AND JUDGMENTAL. STAFF FREQUENTLY IGNORED SURVIVOR SAFETY

CONCERNS, INAPPROPRIATELY PRESSURING THEM TO STAY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS OR CONTACTING THIRD PARTIES WITHOUT CONSENT. VIRGINIA WILLIAMS MUST REVISE PROTOCOLS TO ENSURE TH THEY ARE SURVIVOR-CENTERED

AND TRAUMA-INFORMED. DHS MUST LISTEN TO THESE SURVIVORS AND IMPLEMENT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENSURE SURVIVORS ARE ABLE TO CENTER THEIR SAFETY AND ACCESS VIRGINIA WILLIAMS AND DHS'S FULL SERVICES AND

RESOURCES. THANK YOU. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU. MS. FERGUSON. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU ALL TODAY. MY NAME IS JASMINE FERGUSON. I'M THE VICTIM

SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGER AT COMMUNITY FAMILY LIFE SERVICES. CFLS IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES WOMEN ON THEIR JOURNEY TO STABILITY. OUR SERVICE INCLUDES TRANSITIONAL AND EMERGENCY HOUSING,

RELEASE PLANNING, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, HIV CAREER COACH-- HIV SUPPORT, CAREER COACHING, FAMILY REUNIFICATION AND EMERGENCY SERVICES. I OVERSEE TRINITY ARMS, A TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN

AND THEIR CHILDREN THAT HAVE SURVIVED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR ARE REENTERING SOCIETY AFTER INCARCERATION. EVERY DAY I SEE HOW DIFFICULT IT CAN BE FOR MOTHERS TO FIND SAFE, STABLE, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK WITH THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY RELY ON THE SERVICE, PRIORITIZATION, DECISION ASSISTANCE TOOL ALSO REFERRED TO AS THE-- THIS ASSESSMENT IDENTIFIES AN INDIVIDUAL'S ELIGIBILITY IN

HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AND CONNECTS THEM TO APPROPRIATE RESOURCES. IN MY WORK, I NOTICED THAT MY CLIENTS' ACCESS TO RESOURCES DIFFER BASED ON THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCES. FOR MY REENTRY CLIENTS,

BESIDES VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, THEY HAVE OTHER PROGRAMS SUCH AS-- THAT CAN ASSIST THEM WITH COMPLETING AND HELP CONNECT THEM TO HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES THAT FIT THEIR NEEDS. VIRGINIA WILLIAMS IS THE ONLY

PLACE TO CONDUCT A FAMILY ASSESSMENT FOR MY CLIENTS WHO ARE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. ACCORDING TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, YOU ARE NOT CONSIDERED HOMELESS IF YOU ARE IN EMERGENCY, TRANSITIONAL, OR

TEMPORARY HOUSING. SO MY QUESTION IS ARE WE TRULY CREATING PATHWAYS TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS OR ARE WE WAITING UNTIL SOMEONE BECOMES HOMELESS AGAIN BEFORE WE HELP THEM? OUR SERVICE PLANS ARE ABOUT

HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION. WE CREATE PATHWAYS DIRECTLY FROM TEMPORARY HOUSING TO SECURE STABLE HOUSING BEFORE A CLIENT BECOMES HOMELESS. ALTHOUGH I AM TRAINED TO CONDUCT ASSESSMENTS, WE ARE NOT A CORE

AGENCY. TRINITY DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO VOUCHERS AND OTHER PERMANENT SUPPORT OF HOUSING OPTIONS. AS A RESULT, WE ARE OFTEN LEFT WITH AN ASSESSMENT AND NO SOLUTION. I EMPATHIZE WITH THE CHALLENGES

VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FACES. STAFF ARE OVERWHELMED. FUNDING IS LIMITED. AND THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE IN NEED THAN THERE ARE AVAILABLE RESOURCES. BUT WHEN RESOURCES ARE LIMITED, COLLABORATION BECOMES EVEN

MORE IMPORTANT. WE NEED STRONGER COMMUNICATION AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HOUSING PROVIDERS SO THAT ASSESSMENTS CAN CONNECT CLIENTS TO ADDITIONAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES. WHEN I REFERRED CLIENTS TO

VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, THEY WILL COME BACK FEELING DISCOURAGED, DISMISSED, AND LIKE THEY WERE A BURDEN SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ASKED FOR HELP. WHILE ADVOCATING FOR MY CLIENTS, I HAVE STRUGGLED TO CONNECT WITH

SOMEONE TO DISCUSS OPTIONS FOR THEM. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO GET A DIRECT ANSWER OR WAS TOLD DIFFERENT ANSWERS TO THE SAME QUESTION. IF IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM,

WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR A SINGLE MOTHER WHO HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED FROM PRISON OR A WOMAN WHO FLED A VIOLENT RELATIONSHIP, ENTERED A TEMPORARY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER, AND IS NOW TRYING TO TRANSITION

INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. THESE WOMEN SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE STANDING AT THE DOOR OF HOMELESSNESS WITH THEIR CHILDREN BEFORE WE DECIDE THEY QUALIFY FOR HELP. I AM NOT HERE ASKING FOR

MORE HOUSING. I'M ASKING US TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE PROCESS FOR SEEKING HOUSING ASSISTANCE. BECAUSE WHEN A WOMAN WALKS IN THE DOORS OF VIRGINIA WILLIAMS OR ANYWHERE ELSE, SHE IS NOT SIMPLY ASKING FOR A

FAVOR. SHE IS ASKING FOR HELP NAVIGATING A SYSTEM THAT WAS CREATED TO SERVE PEOPLE EXACTLY LIKE HER TO PREVENT HER FROM BEING HOMELESS AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU. THANK

YOU TO ALL THE WITNESSES FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. THIS DIVISION OF LABOR IN THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SETTING IS CHALLENGING, I THINK, IN THE RESPONSES THAT THE AGENCY PROVIDED, THE SUGGESTION WAS THAT WHEN

SOMEONE PRESENTS IF THERE IS AN INDICATION THAT THEY ARE A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR, THEN THE MATTER IS REFERRED TO DASH, I BELIEVE IT IS. AND BECAUSE THERE ARE PARTICULAR CHALLENGES IN THAT

SETTING, YET YOU EACH ARE TALKING ABOUT SNAGS THAT HAPPEN IN FRONT OF DHS, WHICH I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE IS IT APPROPRIATE THAT WHEN SOMEONE-- A FAMILY PRESENTS AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

SURVIVORS, THAT IT SHOULD QUICKLY BE REFERRED TO DASH TO BE THE FRONT LINE SERVICE PROVIDER, OR SHOULD IT BE HAPPENING DIFFERENTLY? LET'S START WITH THAT QUESTION. AND MS. DEMING, YOU LOOK LIKE YOU

ARE REACHING FOR IT. >> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT. THAT WE ARE IDENTIFYING A GAP THAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE REFERRAL TO DASH IS MADE. SO PEOPLE DON'T JUST COME IN WITH A SHIRT

THAT SAYS "I'M A SURVIVOR." RIGHT? THAT IS NOT THE FIRST THING THEY ARE GOING TO SAY. WHICH MEANS THAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME SORT OF PROCESS AS EVERYONE ELSE BEFORE THEY ARE IDENTIFIED, IF

THEY ARE IDENTIFIED AS A SURVIVOR AND THEN REFERRED. WE PROVIDED SOME DATA TO YOUR TEAM AND ARE HAPPY TO SUPPLEMENT WITH SOME OF THE RESEARCH THAT WAS CONDUCTED THAT REALLY LAID OUT EXACTLY WHERE THE

GAPS HAPPEN. SOME SURVIVORS WERE NEVER EVEN ASKED ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SOME WERE ASKED AND THEN THE PROCESS CONTINUED WITHOUT ANY RECOGNITION THAT THEY HAD IDENTIFIED AS SURVIVORS. AND SO IF THESE

OTHER GAPS THAT HAPPEN WITH THAT FRONT LINE STAFF BEFORE THE REFERRAL IS EVER MADE WITH THE DIVERSION THAT'S BEING DISCUSSED OR THE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES, ALL OF THAT HAPPENS BEFORE THERE WOULD BE A

REFERRAL TO DASH. AND SO TO TIGHTEN UP THAT PROCESS WITH IDENTIFICATION AND THEN REFERRAL WOULD HELP TO ADDRESS SOME OF THAT. CHAIR FRUMIN: AND-- GO AHEAD. >> I JUST WANT TO ADD I THINK THE OTHER

PIECE TO SUPPLEMENT THIS IS THE TRAINING FOR THE STAFF ON THE FRONT END. OF HOW TO ASK ABOUT WHETHER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS HAPPENING. WE KNOW THERE IS SUCH A SOCIAL STIGMA ATTACHED TO BEING A VICTIM.

AND SO AS MICAELA WAS SAYING, YOU DON'T HAVE A TEACHER THAT SAYS "I NEED THIS-- A T-SHIRT THAT SAYS "I NEED THIS." REALLY HAVING INTENTIONAL TRAINING, AND DASH HAD HISTORICALLY BEEN FUNDED TO DO THAT.

THEIR GRANT WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT TRAINING. BUT I ALSO FEEL LIKE IT IS ALSO INDICATIVE OF THE LACK OF INVESTMENT IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES WRIT LARGE. IF THE

SERVICES AREN'T THERE, THE TRAINING ISN'T THERE ON THE FRONT END, YOU ARE JUST LEFT WITH A LOT OF HOLES THAT SURVIVORS ARE FALLING THROUGH. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. BUT I GUESS THAT TRAINING WAS DASH

TRAINING FRONT LINE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS STAFF. MAYBE THIS GOES TO THE SCRIPTS AND HOW THAT WHOLE PROCESS IS APPROACHED. BUBECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT YU ARE SAYING IS-- AND WE WILL HEAR FROM OTHER

PEOPLE WHO HAVE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES THAT THEY FACE ALONG THE WAY. AND AGAIN, RECOGNIZING THE DIFFICULTY OF THE JOB THAT THE PEOPLE AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS ARE DOING, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE SURVIVORS FACE ALL THE SAME CHALLENGES, AND THEN AT SOME POINT, IT MAY BECOME CLEAR THAT THEY ARE A SURVIVOR, IN WHICH CASE, THEN THEY GET REFERRED TO DASH. BUT UNTIL THEN, IT IS NOT A

DIFFERENT SPECIES OF CHALLEN CHALLENGES. IT IS THE SAME SPECIES OF CHALLENGE. >> I WOULD ADD ONE CAVEAT IN THAT DATA PRIVACY IS NOT ALWAYS KEPT, SO IF YOU ARE A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SAFETY

AND CONFIDENTIALITY MUST BE RECOGNIZED. AND ADHERED TO. THERE ARE SURVIVORS THAT COME INTO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS THAT HAVE THEIR PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ENTERED INTO HMIS. EVEN THOUGH STAFF AT

VIRGINIA WILLIAMS KNOW THAT THEY ARE SURVIVORS. AND THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. SO THERE ARE CERTAIN SAFETY AND COVENANT ASPECTS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO SURVIVORS. CHAIR FRUMIN: TOTALLY HEAR YOU. YOU RAISE--

SOMEONE RAISED THE I.D. ISSUE AND THE CHALLENGES AROUND THAT. AND SO IT IS A SEPARATE FILLER WITH ITS OWN SEPARATE CHALLENGES. IT MAY WELL BE THAT SOMEBODY'S DATA IS ENTERED AND THE FRONT LINE PERSON

KNOWS THEY ARE A SURVIVOR. IT KOWLS ALSO BE THAT THE DATA IS ENTERED, AND 15 MINUTES LATER IN THE CONVERSATION IT BECOMES CLEAR. THE CHALLENGES-- THE DATA PRIVACY ISSUES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS

HAVE LOTS OF DIFFERENT DISTINCTIVE CHALLENGES. BUT ONE OF THEM IS DATA PRIVACY. WHICH MAKES IT A CHALLENGE FOR THE AGENCY. SO FIGURING OUT-- I HEAR YOU. FRONT LINE TRAINING, ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROVIDERS SEEMS LIKE A PART OF THE ANSWER TO MAKE SURE PRIVACY IS PROTECTED AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS DON'T SUFFER FROM THE SAME KINDS OF CHALLENGES THAT OTHER PEOPLE MAY

SUFFER FROM. WE WANT TO FIX IT FOR EVERYBODY, BUT IN THIS SETTING, THAT IS HOW I'M HEARING YOU. DID OTHERS WANT TO COMMENT ON THIS? OKAY. AND YOU PROVIDED SOME O OF THIS DATA, AND WE HAVE IT. IS IT

PART OF YOUR WRITTEN TESTIMONY? I'M NOT SURE THAT I HAVE WRITTEN TESTIMONY FROM -- >> YOU DON'T. IT WILL BE UPLOADED LATER, CHAIRPERSON. WE DID SEND OVER SOME DATA. WE CAN ATTACH IT AS-- TO THE

TESTIMONY AS WELL SO THAT YOU HAVE THAT. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. GREAT. PLEASE DO. ALL OF YOU, IF YOU COULD PROVIDE YOUR TESTIMONY. I DON'T WANT TO TURN THIS INTO A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE I.D. ISSUE. MY

IMPRESSION IS THAT THE AGENCY IS TRYING TO WORK WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROVIDERS TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO ADDRESS THIS, AND WE WILL CHECK BACK WITH YOU ON THAT. WE DO NEED TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE. AND THE

AGENCY HAS TO COME UP WITH PROCEDURES THAT THEY THINK ARE FAIR. AND IT IS A SETTING WHERE IT JUST DOESN'T WORK ON THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SIDE FOR THE IDENTIFICATIONS. AND WE NEED TO FIND A DIFFERENT

WAY. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU HAVE A PROPOSAL FOR HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE. >> WE HAVE DISCUSSED A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS, BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PLACES WITHIN THE CODE WHERE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS

SELF-CERTIFY. AND IT'S UNCLEAR WHY THAT WOULD NOT WORK IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE. WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT HMIS, OF COURSE. THERE IS FEDERAL PROTECTIONS THERE. I DID WANT TO MENTION IN YOUR EXAMPLE OF

WHEN HMIS DATA GETS ENTERED AND THEY FIND OUT THERE IS A SURVIVOR, THE DATA IS THEN ABLE TO BE BACKED OUT. THAT IS NOT HAPPENING EITHER. AND SO IT'S THAT, IT'S THAT PIECE OF RELYING SOLELY ON HMIS AS,

AS A REQUIREMENT TO, TO VALIDATE WHAT IS BEING SEEN BY THE PROVIDERS ON THE GROUND AND THE REALITY THAT IN ALMOST EVERYTHING ELSE THAT DHS DOES, THE SURVIVORS ARE ABLE TO SELF-CERTIFY THOSE

REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO GET ACCESS TO THE SERVICES. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER WHITE? DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> I'LL BE BRIEF, YES. I HEARD MS. FERGUSON TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE VARIOUS

SERVICES. DO THEY RECEIVE REFERRALS FROM VIRGINIA WILLIAMS? CHAIR FRUMIN: CAN YOU REPEAT IT, COUNCILMEMBER WHITE? SHE WASN'T ABLE TO HEAR IT. MAYBE A TAD LOUDER. MAYBE SOMEBODY CAN ADJUST THE VOLUME

HERE IN THE ROOM. >> MY COMPUTER VOLUME IS UP. CAN YOU HEAR ME? CHAIR FRUMIN: YES, WE CAN. >> OKAY, GREAT. I WAS ASKING HIS FERGUSON. BECAUSE I HEARD ABOUT SOME OF THE BARRIERS TO GET SERVICES. I

WANTED TO ASK HER, DOES HER ORGANIZATION RECEIVE REFERRALS FROM THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS CENTER? >> I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REFERRALS FROM VIRGINIA WILLIAMS AS OF LATELY. MAYBE IN THE BEGINNING, BECAUSE

I HAVE BEEN RUNNING MY PROGRAM FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS. SO MAYBE IN THE BEGINNING. BUT AS OF RECENTLY, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REFERRALS COMING FROM VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. >> OKAY. CAN YOU TELL US WHAT

COLLABORATION LOOKS LIKE FOR PROVIDERS RIGHT NOW? >> COLLABORATION WOULD LOOK LIKE-- WELL, ONE, MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE OF, YOU KNOW, TRINITY WITH THE PROGR PROGRAM-- WHAT THE PROGRAM IS. HOW

WE COULD ALSO ASSESS. ONE OF THE BIGGER PROBLEMS THAT I DID ADDRESS DOES TALKING ABOUT-- IN A PERFECT WORLD, I WOULD SAY IF WE WERE ABLE TO-- IF TRINITY WAS ABLE TO BE CONSIDERED A CORE AGENCY, SO

THAT WAY, WHEN DOING SOMETHING LIKE ENTERING INFORMATION INTO HMIS, THAT WOULD TAKE A LOAD OFF FOR VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. FOR MY CLIENT, PER SE, I CAN'T SAY IT LIKE ABOPEN-DOOR POLICY LIKE MOST PROGRAMS

OR ORGANIZATIONS, BUT IF I WAS ABLE TO DO THAT AND ASSIST MY CLIENTS WITH COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENT, PUTTING THE INFORMATION IN, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OUTSOURCING I. WITH MY CLIENTS'

INFORMATION BEING PLACED OUT THERE, IT WILL OPEN UP HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM. OUTSIDE OF HOUSING OPPORTUNITY, OTHER THINGS THEY MAY BE IN NEED OF. IT DOES ASSIST WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AND

THINGS OF THAT NATURE. IN A PERFECT WORLD, THAT IS WHAT A COLLAB WOULD LOOK LIKE FOR ME. >> GOT IT. I HAD A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION. IN YOUR TESTIMONY, YOU TALKED ABOUT HOW WE ARE WAITING FOR AN EMERGENCY

TO HAPPEN VS. PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS. WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD TAKE TO TURN THIS AROUND AND BRIDGE THAT GAP? >> SO AGAIN, GOING OFF MY PERFECT SCENARIO. IF, LET'S SAY IF BE ABLE TO HAVE THE ACCESS

TO VOUCHERS OR INFORMATION ABOUT WAITLISTS, BECAUSE FOR MY PROGRAM, I DON'T GET THAT INFORMATION FIRSTHAND. THAT'S INFORMATION I'M LEARNING BY MY EARS BEING ON THE STREET, MY CLIENTS, NETWORKING,

THINGS LIKE. THAT IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS JUST FIRSTHAND GIVEN TO ME. WITH MY CLIENTS, I HAVE TO JUST LET THEM KNOW, LIKE, WE HAVE TO REALLY WORK HARD TO GET THE INFORMATION THAT WE NEED, AND ALSO

JUST BEING PREVENTATIVE ON THEIR OWN WHICH IS NOT SOLELY BEING-- HAVING TO WAIT FOR ASSISTANCE COMING FROM THE GOVERNMENT. SOMETIMES IT WILL JUST BE, OKAY, MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE WORKING. MAKE SURE

THAT WE ARE DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN. MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BUDGETING: MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SAVING TO SEE IF WE COULD POSSIBLY AFFORD TO CONTINUE IN D.C. IF THAT IS NOT THE CASE, I HAVE HAD CLIENTS

WHERE WE LOOKED OUTSIDE OF D.C. TO LIVE BECAUSE IT IS MORE ON THE EXPENSIVE SIDE. JUST PLANNING THE BEST VIABILITY, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PICTURE. WHETHER THAT IS TRYING TO OBTAIN A

VOUCHER, PUTTING OURSELVES OUT THERE, OR IF WE ARE WORKING WITH PROGRAMS OR PUBLIC HOUSING, THAT WILL ALSO BE A HELPING HAND. OR AGAIN, JUST SEEING WHAT IT IS THAT WE COULD DO ON OUR END. AS IT IS

SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO THAT HELPS OUT WITH OUR INCOME, HELP OUT WITH OUR BUDGETING, OUR SAVINGS AND SEE WHAT THE COST OF LIVING LOOKS LIKE. WHAT IS IT CAN-- THAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO DO. WE ALSO HAVE

TO BE REALISTIC. THAT IS KIND OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FOR ME. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. I WANT TO JUMP TO MS. DALTON REAL QUICK. JUST TO ASK ARE THERE ANY OTHER D.C. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT

EFFECTIVELY SERVE SURVIVORS THAT COULD ADVISE DHS, BETTER PROCESS, BETTER WAY TO SERVICE, BETTER WAY TO HELP THE CONSTITUENTS? >> THE LARGEST D.C. GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT IS SUPPORTING DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE SERVICE PROVIDERS IS THE OFFICE OF VICTIM SERVICES AND JUSTICE GRANTS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT DHS HAS REACHED OUT TO OBSJG ON SURVIVOR PROTECTIONS, SURVIVOR CONFIDENTIALITY, BUT EVEN IN THE

I.D. VOUCHER PROCESS, THERE IS STILL A SOLUTION THAT IS YET TO COME FORWARD. >> YOU GOT IT. THIS IS, I GUESS, FOR ANYONE OR YOUR TEAM. -- ON YOUR TEAM. VARIOUS PEOPLE BEING TURNED AWAY FROM VIRGINIA

WILLIAMS. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THOSE SURVIVORS IN WHAT IS THE TYPICAL PROCESS THEY GO THROUGH? >> IT DEPENDS ON THE SURVIVOR. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT MEANS THAT MANY OF THEM WILL END UP BACK IN UNSAFE

SITUATIONS OR GOING BACK TO THEIR ABUSER OR THEIR UNSAFE HOME THAT THEY CAME FROM. BECAUSE THERE IS NOWHERE ELSE TO GO. WITH VIRGINIA WILLIAMS BEING THE SOLE ENTRY POINT FOR FAMILY HOMELESS SERVICES,

AND SO FEW OF THE UNITS BEING AVAILABLE, BEING SPECIFIC TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THAT IS WHERE THEY HAVE TO GO. SO IF THEY CAN'T BREAK THROUGH THAT SYSTEM, OR THEY ENCOUNTER RESISTANCE OR LACK OF RESPECT

OR DIGNITY FROM THE STAFF WHEN THEY ARE TRYING TO ACCESS SERVICES, THEN THEY WON'T GO BACK. AND SO UNFORTUNATELY, WE SEE SOMETIMES IN THE NEWS, STORIES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS WHO ARE LATER

KILLED AFTER TRYING TO ACCESS SERVICES AND BEING UNABLE TO DO SO. SO WE SEE A WIDE RANGE, BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE DIFFICULTIES WITH HAVING A SOLE ENTRY POINT INTO A SYSTEM THAT THEN HAS BARRIERS. WHEN

THOSE BARRIERS ARE MET AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES AREN'T PROVIDED, IT LEADS TO IMPOSSIBLE DECISIONS FOR SURVIVORS. >> YOU GOT IT. THIS IS ALSO FOR MS. PUHR. I SEE YOU IN CHARGE OF POLICY AND SYSTEM

ENGAGEMENT. I GUESS I WANT TO KNOW WHAT DO YOU VIEW AS ADDITIONAL BARRIERS DHS FF HAS IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS WROND BEYOND FUNDING. OF COURSE, FUNDING. BUT WHAT ELSE? >> SO I SPOKE ON

RESEARCH THAT A TEAM HAD CONDUCTED. A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO. THEN SUBSEQUENTLY MADE RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEN WHAT WE FOUND THAT EVEN SINCE MAKING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, DHS HAS FAILED TO IMPLEMENT ANY

OF THESE, INCLUDING, I BELIEVE, SOME THAT DON'T EVEN REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT FUNDING, INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE SCREENING PROCESS. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SCREENING

PROCESS BEING TOO NARROW WHICH AS WE HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT, SURVIVORS AREN'T NECESSARILY READY TO DISCLOSE THEIR SURVIVORSHIP IN INITIAL INTAKE. WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE, TEN MINUTES OF MEETING. A DHS STAFF

MEMBER. AND THAT'S ALSO BECAUSE WITH THE SCREENING QUESTIONS, THEY ARE ASKING ABOUT VERY SPECIFIC INSTANCES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED PHYSICAL VIOLENCE? HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED SEXUAL

VIOLENCE? MANY SURVIVORS EXPERIENCE ABUSE OUTSIDE OF THESE PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS. WE HAVE FOUND THAT, I THINK IN THIS YEAR'S PERFORMANCE OVERSIGHT, QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES PROVIDED BY DHS. THEY ARE

EWING THEY ARE USING THE SAME PROCESS. THEY HAVEN'T CHANGED THIS. THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF, AGAIN, AN EASIER, I BELIEVE, AN EASIER SOLUTION THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE, YOU KNOW, FUNDED TRAININGS.

ALTHOUGH WE STILL BELIEVE THAT THESE FUNDED TRAININGS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR ALL DHS STAFF. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. BACK AT YOU, CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH,

COUNCILMEMBER WHITE. I THINK WITH THAT, THAT FINISHES MY QUESTIONS FOR THIS PANEL. SO THANK YOU TO OUR WITNESSES. I'M GOING TO CALL UP THE NEXT PANEL. LAJUAN BROOKS. CHARNAL CHANEY. MICHAEL CAMPELL.

CHARMAINE BROWN. TAMIESHA LAWRENCE. MONIQUE JACKSON. SHOENAE KORNEGAY. OLIVER ROY. TAMIKA KENNEDY. OKAY. AND I APOLOGIZE. LAJUAN? WHEN YOU ARE READY. THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMAN FRUMIN AND

OTHERS. MY NAME IS LAJUAN BROOKS. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WASHINGTON LEGAL CLINIC FOR THE HOMELESS. I'M HERE TODAY TESTIFYING ON BEHALF OF MY EXPERIENCE IN THIS ROLE AND THE

MANY FAMILIES OUR ORGANIZATION HAS ENCOUNTERED AND/OR REPRESENTED DUE TO BEING DENIED SHELTER PLACEMENT. SOME OF THEIR STORIES YOU WILL ACTUALLY HEAR FIRSTHAND TODAY. IN ADDITION TO THE COMMITTEE'S

EBB GAUGEMENT AND ADVOCACY WORK THAT WE DO, A LARGE PORTION OF OUR WORK FOCUSES ON ENSURING THAT FAMILIES HAVE A STABLE PLACE TO GO WHEN THEY ARE SEENING SHELTER. FAMILIES IN D.C. HAVE ONE OPTION THAT

IS AVAILABLE TO THEM. THAT IS TO GO THROUGH THE INTAKE PROCESS AT THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER. AS YOU WILL HEAR TODAY, AND HAVE HEARD, THE PROCESS OF ACCESSING FAMILY SHELTER IS NOT

AN EASY ONE. IT IS LAYERED WITH BARRIERS AND UNCERTAINTIES FOR THE FAMILIES, DAILY FAMILIES ARE ENTERING THE SHELTER AND DAILY, THOSE SAME FAMILIES ARE BEING TURNED AWAY WITH NO SAFE PLACE TO GO.

FAMILIES ARE BEING LEFT IN LIMBO AND MOST ARE BEING DENIED PLACEMENT. BASED ON A CONVERSATION I AND MY TEAM HAS HAD WITH FAMILIES ATTEMPTING ACCESS SHELTER, A LARGE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE BEING ASKED TO

PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION NAST THEY ARE UNABLE TO ACCESS OR BEING TASKED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION THAT SHOULD NOT FACTOR INTO THEIR NEED FOR A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP. SADLY, IT DOES. ONE EXAMPLE IS WHEN

FAMILIES ARE ASKED TO PROVIDE THE NAME AND NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS WHO THEY MAY BE ABLE TO STAY WITH AND THEN BEING DENIED PLACEMENT IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO PROVIDE A COPY OF A LEASE FROM SOMEONE THEY HAVE STAYED WITH WEEKS OR MONTHS AGO. TO PROVE THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER ON THE LEASE OR NOT ON THE LEASE

AT ALL. WHICH IN MY OPINION, IS ONE OF THE MOST EGREGIOUS TASKS THAT CLIENTS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DO. ESPECIALLY SINCE QUITE A FEW OF THEM HAVE STAYED WITH FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS THAT THEY ARE NO

LONGER IN CONTACT WITH. YET IF THEY CANNOT PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION, AGAIN, THEY ARE TURNED AWAY. MOST OF US KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT DESPITE WHAT SOME MAY SAY, THE OPTION TO STAY WITH A FAMILY

MEMBER OR FRIEND FOR A NIGHT OR TWO OR OVER THE WEEKEND DOES NOT MEAN THEY CAN STAY INDEFINITELY. ONE RESOLUTION THAT IS AVAILABLE BUT WE RARELY HEAR IS BEING USED IS THE INTERIM ELIGIBILITY PLACEMENT

OPTION. THIS OPTION ENSURES THE FAMILY'S SAFETY AND ALSO PROVIDES TIME FOR ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION TO BE ACQUIRED WITHOUT CAUSING ADDITIONAL HARM TO THE FAMILY. I HAVE SEEN FAR TOO MANY FAMILIES

RETURN TO UNSAFE SITUATIONS DUE TO A SHELTER DENIAL, AND THAT CAN PROVE COSTLY FOR SOME FAMILIES. PRIOR TO THE JANUARY '25 RELOCATION TO 64 NEWARK AVENUE, THEY WERE LOCATED AT 920 AVENUE NORTHEAST.

DURING THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS AT THAT LOCATION, THE WASHINGTON LEGAL CLINIC FOR THE HOMELESS HAD A CONSISTENT PRESENCE THERE. WE WERE THERE WEEKLY ON MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS, AND OUR PRESENCE

PLAYED AN INTRICATE PART IN ELIMINATING SOME OF THE GAPS WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEING. WE WERE ABLE TO IN REAL-TIME, CONNECT FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN DENIED SHELTER TO AN ATTORNEY WHO WOULD LEGALLY ADVOCATE

FOR PLACEMENT FOR THAT FAMILY. TYPICALLY WITH ADVOCACY, THE FAMILY WAS THEN PLACED, DESPITE BEING REFUSED PLACEMENT BY VIRGINIA WILLIAMS STAFF. SINCE JANUARY, 2025, WE HAVE HAD TO BECOME VERY CREATIVE

IN OUR EFFORTS TO REACH THOSE FAMILIES APPLYING FOR SHELTER. WE HAVE E-MAILED SCHOOL HOMELESS LIAISONS, WE HAVE DROPPED OFF FLYERS AT THE FAMILY COLLABORATIVES, THE UNITED PLANNING OFFICES AND ANY

OTHER PLACE WHERE WE BELIEVE OUR FAMILIES WILL COME IN CONTACT WITH OUR INFORMATION. WE HAVE PHYSICALLY GONE TO THE NEW LOCATION TO DROP OFF FLYERS AND CONNECT WITH FAMILY THERE IS THAT WERE ON SITE.

WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH STAFF AND NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES WHO WILLINGLY AGREED TO SHARE OUR CORRESPONDENCE WITH ANY FAMILIES THEY CAME IN CONTACT WITH. UP UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST, WE WERE EVEN ABLE TO

LEAVE FLYIERS AT THE BUILDING'S FRONT DESK WITH THEIR SECURITY. UNFORTUNATELY, DURING MY LAST VISIT, I WAS INFORMED BY THE BUILDING SECURITY THAT THEY WERE TOLD TO NO LONGER ACCEPT OUR CORRESPONDENCE.

I ADDRESSED THIS CONCERN AND MADE THE INQUIRY WITH THE DHS DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR. I'M SORRY. AS TO WHO GIVE A DIRECTIVE THAT WE WERE NO LONGER ABLE TO LEAVE FLYERS. THAT QUESTION WAS

NEVER DIRECTLY ANSWERED. I WAS SIMPLY TOLD THAT VIA EMAIL, I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE FLYERS WITH BUILDING SECURITY. ONLY AT THE SECURITY DESK AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. NO OTHER EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN, AND

I HAVE NEVER TOLD ON WHOSE AUTHORITY THE DIRECTIVE WAS GIVEN. WITH HYPOTHERMIA SEASON QUICKLY A PROACHING, OUR CONCERNS FOR THE FAMILIES SEENING SHELTER INCREASINGLY GROWS. AS OF TODAY, WE ARE NOT HAD

ACCESS TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS. THE INCREASING FAMILY SHELTER DENIALS WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEING IS INDICATIVE OF THE NEED FOR LEGAL SERVICES TO ONCE AGAIN BE PRESENT IN THAT SPACE. I'M

HOPEFUL THAT AFTER IT IS ALL SAID AND DONE, THAT SIGNIFICANT STEPS WILL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES SEEKING SHELTER THROUGH THE INTAKE PROCESS AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS WILL NO LONGER BE FORCED TO

STAY IN UNSAFE AND HARMFUL ENVIRONMENTS. AND THAT A REAL SOLUTION IN BRIDGING THE GAP WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I'M HAPPY TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU VERY

MUCH FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. CHARNAL CHANEY. NO. SECOND. MICHAEL CAMPELL. CHARMAINE BROWN. OKAY. >> HELLO. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME DOING THIS. MY NAME IS CHARMAINE BROWN. I COME HERE TODAY AS A

REPRESENTATIVE OF FAMILIES THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. INTO SHELTERS. I HAD A WHOLE PARAGRAPH OF LIST OF THINGS I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT. BUT LISTENING IN TO SOME OF YOU GUYS, I HAVE TO

START OVER. FIRST, I WANT TO ADDRESS THE STIGMA THAT THE SHELTERS ARE NOT A GOOD OPTION. I THINK WHEN WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE WE ARE HOMELESS FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, BECAUSE I'M A SURVIVOR OF THAT,

THE SHELTER SHOULD BE THE BETTER OPTION. LIVING WITH FAMILIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT SOMETIMES CAN MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE, SO I DO THINK WORDS HAVE VALUE. IF WE ARE LOOKING AT SHELTERS BEING A

NEGATIVE THING, IT ALLOWS THE ABUSE AND THE TRAUMA THAT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN WITH PROVIDERS IN THE SHELTERS TO FLOURISH. IT IS LIKE WE ALL EXPECTED IT NOT TO WORK. IT SHOULD WORK. IT NEEDS TO WORK.

FAMILIES ARE AT STAKE. SO I CAME HOME FROM INCARCERATION NOT TOO LONG AGO. I REENTERED SOCIETY WITHOUT MY CHILDREN IN A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME. ACTUALLY, THROUGH CFLS WHERE MS. FERGUSON SAYS SHE

REPRESENTS. I WAS THERE. WHILE THERE, MY CHILDREN WERE STAYING WITH A FAMILY MEMBER UNTIL I COULD GET ON MY FEET. BUT THEY WERE ABUSED OVER THERE. I WAS TOLD FOR MY CASE MANAGER ABOUT VIRGINIA

WILLIAMS. I WENT TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS SEVERAL TIMES. AND IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN YOU FIRST WALK IN, THEY ARE DEFINITELY-- THERE DEFINITELY IS A CULTURE OF DISMISSIVENESS. I WAS DENIED REPEATEDLY FROM

THINGS LIKE NOT HAVING THE I.D. OR THE FACT THAT MY HUSBAND HAD A HOME AND I SHOULD JUST GO BACK THERE EVEN THOUGH I EXPLAINED TO THEM THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PART OF IT AND NOT BEING SAFE. NOT JUST FOR

MYSELF BUT ALSO FOR THE CHILDREN. THEY WERE-- I WAS DENIED. THEN I WAS DENIED BECAUSE I HAVE A DISABLED SON THAT IS 18. AND BECAUSE HE IS 18 AND NO LONGER A MINOR, I WAS DENIED HELP FROM TRINITY ARM

CFLS AS WELL AS THE RUTH HOUSE BECAUSE THEY ONLY HELP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WOMEN WITH MINOR CHILDREN. WE DO MISS THAT WHOLE FAMILY PIECE OF WHEN OUR CHILDREN ARE NO LONGER MINORS, BUT THEY ARE STILL

DEPENDENT. NO ONE IS REALLY TALKING ABOUT THAT PIECE BECAUSE DISABLED KIDS, AUTISTIC CHILDREN DO GROW UP. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY CAN'T LIVE ON THEIR OWN. THEY STILL MUST LIVE WITH US. AND THERE IS NO

SUPPORT REALLY FOR THAT. AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, THEY DO ASK FOR DANGEROUS DOCUMENTS TO TRY TO GO BACK HOME TO GET. THINGS LIKE YOUR CHILD ASSOCIATE SECURITY CARD. -- SOCIAL SECURITY CARD. OR HAVING A

FAMILY MEMBER WRITE A LEASE SAYING YOU STAYED THERE. WHEN YOU SPEND A NIGHT AT PEOPLE'S HOUSE, SOMETIMES THEY ARE ONHOUSING ASSISTANCE AND YOU CAN'T LIVE WITH THEM. YOU CAN'T SAY THAT THEY WERE

STAYING WITH YOU, THEN THEY BECOME ELIGIBLE TO BE KICKED OUT OF THESE PROGRAMS. THEY MAY LET YOU STAY THERE A DAY OR GO, BUT YOU CANNOT LIVE THERE. MY TIME IS RUNNING OUT. THERE IS A LOT THAT CAN BE

DONE THAT IS NOT BEING DONE. AND THE CULTURE IS TO FIND A WAY TO DENY US. CHAIR FRUMIN: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. TAMIESHA LAWRENCE. MONIQUE JACKSON? >> HELLO, COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN. AND

EVERYONE ELSE. MY NAME IS MONIQUE JACKSON. I'M CURRENTLY A RESIDENT OF TRINITY ARMS. I HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK. I HAVE WORKED FOR 20 YEARS IN THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT SECTORS.

PRIOR TO ME ACCESSING SERVICES AT THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FAMILY INTAKE CENTER, I ASSISTED FAMILIES TO ACCESS SERVICES AT THE CITY AND SURROUNDING JURISDICTIONS. I'M SURE MY FAMILIARITY AND KNOWLEDGE OF

THE SYSTEM AND THE PROCESS OVER ALL IS WHY I WAS SUCCESSFUL IN RECEIVING SERVICES FROM THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS INTAKE CENTER. FOR THE FIRST TIME I ACCESSED SERVICES AT THE CENTER, I WAS 7 MONTHS

PREGNANT AND HOMELESS. I INFORMED THE INTAKE OFFICER THAT I WENT TO VISIT FAMILY FOR TWO MONTHS AND WHILE THERE, I WAS CONSIDERING OPTIONS FOR ASSISTANCE. BECAUSE I WAS PREGNANT, HOMELESS, AND

DESPERATE. DESPITE ME BEING A RESIDENT OF D.C. ALL MY LIFE AND GIVING HER A VALID I.D., ALL OF MY PREVIOUS ADDRESSES AND HISTORY OF THE CITY, THAT ONE STATEMENT WAS USED AS A REASON TO INITIALLY DENY

ME SERVICES. AFTER DISPUTING AND REQUESTING TO MEET WITH MANAGEMENT STAFF, I HAD NOWHERE ELSE TO GO. I WAS PROVIDED WITH ASSISTANCE. THE SECOND TIME I SAW SERVICES AT THE CENTER, I WAS SUCCESSFUL IN

RECEIVING THEM BECAUSE I HAD EXPERIENCE OF HARDSHIP THAT WAS VERIFIED. I HAD RECEIVED SERVICES BEFORE. ACCESSING SERVICES CAN BE OVERWHELMING, DISCOURAGING, AND DEFEATING, BECAUSE I, AS WELL AS OTHERS

HAVE HAD TO SPEND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME PROVING THAT NOT ONLY WAS I A RESIDENT OF D.C. BUT PROVING THAT I WAS IN NEED OF SERVICES. WHICH CAN BE RE-TRAUMATIZING. YOU WOULD THINK THIS SHOULD BE

EASY TO DO. IT IS HIGHLY FRUSTRATING AND DEFEATING WHEN YOU ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE PROCESS MOST TIMES FEELS LIKE IT IS DESIGNED TO BREAK YOU DOWN. WHEN YOU ARE AT YOUR LOWEST POINT. THE

MISSION OF VIRGINIA WILLIAMS IS WELL-INTENTIONED. HOWEVER, THE ELIGIBILITY PROCESS CAN BE AS RE-TRAUMATIZING AS THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT BRING CLIENTS TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THE ISSUES PLAGUING THE

CENTER HAVE BEEN ONGOING FOR YEARS. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN OVERHAUL TO INCLUDE BETTER QUALITY KEVIN CUSTOMER SERVICE, COMPASSION, AND A MORE SEAMLESS EL JIBLGHT PROCESS. -- ELIGIBILITY PROCESS. MORE

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OPTIONS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GAIN STABILITY AND BY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT ERAP ARE TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS FOR PERMANENT PROBLEMS. WORKERS ARE WORN THIN AND UNDERRESOURCED.

AGAIN, AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE LACK OF FUNDING AND RESOURCES PROVIDED. I ASK THE COUNCIL TO REALLOCATE FUNDING TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE MORE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES TO

GAIN STABILITY. AND NOT JUST POURING INTO THE TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS. SUCH AS ERAP AND RAPID REHOUSING. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. >> THANK YOU. CHAIR FRUMIN: SHOENAE KORNEGAY. NO?

OLIVER ROY? NO. TAMIKA KENNEDY. WONDERFUL. WHEN YOU ARE READY. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMAN FRUMIN. MY NAME IS TAMIKA DEN DIFFICULT I'M-- KENNEDY. I'M SHARING MY STORY ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE ABOUT TAKING

SHELTER AT THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS RESOURCE CENTER: I APPLIED FOR SHELTER THREE TIMES. I WAS DENIED EACH TIME. DESPITE BEING DENIED SHELTER, I DID NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE OR STABLE PLACE FOR MY DAUGHTERS

AND ME TO SLEEP. I CONTINUED TO GO BACK TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS BECAUSE OF MY SITUATION. I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF ELIGIBILITY OF HOMELESS SERVICE DATED ON JULY 20, 2026, BUT I WAS STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND

A SAFE PLACE FOR MY FAMILY. ON MY FOURTH ATTEMPT TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, I WAS FINALLY DETERMINED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A PLACE AT THE HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM. HPP, AUGUST 3, 2026. HOWEVER, I STILL

NEEDED A SAFE PLACE FOR ME AND MY DAUGHTERS. IT WAS NOT UNTIL MY DAUGHTERS AND I WENT TO MLK LIBRARY AND I WAS ABLE TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL HELP. FIRST I SPOKE WITH A SOCIAL WORKER WHO LISTENED TO MY

SITUATION AND HELPED ME UNDERSTAND WHAT RESOURCES WERE AVAILABLE TO ME AND MY FAMILY. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE SOCIAL WORKER, I MET WITH THE ATTORNEYS FROM THE WASHINGTON LEGAL CLINIC FOR THE HOMELESS.

THEY LISTENED TO MY SITUATION. THEY HELPED ME GAIT THE PROCESS OF GETTING ASSISTANCE. WITH THAT HELP, ME AND MY DAUGHTERS AND I WERE ABLE TO GET EMERGENCY SHELTER ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 THAT WAS A MAJOR

STEP FORWARD FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. AFTER REPEATEDLY SEEKING HELP AND BEING DENIED SHELTER. MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT AND FRUSTRATING. I REPEATEDLY ASKED FOR HELP, WHILE I DID NOT HAVE A SAFE

PLACE FOR ME AND MY DAUGHTERS TO SLEEP. MY CIRCUMSTANCE HAD NOT CHANG CHANGED. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AND ASSISTANCE OF PEOPLE WHO WERE WILLING TO LISTEN AND ADVOCATE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY, I WAS

FINALLY ABLE TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY SHELTER. I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM, THE SHELTER SYSTEM WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY IN A VULNERABLE SITUATION AND TRYING TO KEEP

YOUR CHILDREN SAFE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE SOCIAL WORKER AND THE ATTORNEYS AT THE WASHINGTON LEGAL CLINIC FOR THE HOMELESS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO ME, UNDERSTAND WHAT ME AND MY FAMILY WERE

EXPERIENCING AND HELP ME FIND A PATH TOWARD SAFETY. THE ASSISTANCE THERE, THE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE FOR ME AND MY DAUGHTERS. THANK YOU. . CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY, AND I'M VERY

SORRY TO HEAR YOUR STORY. BUT ALSO GLAD THAT IT WORKED OUT AT SOME POINT ALONG THE WAY. YOU SAY THAT YOU WENT-- YOU PRESENTED THREE TIMES AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, AND YOU WERE DENIED THOSE THREE TIMES.

WHAT GROUNDS WERE OFFERED FOR THOSE DENIALS? >> YES. THEY WERE ASKING ME FOR PROOF OF DOCUMENTS FOR MY DAUGHTER AND MY FAMILY AND WHERE I WAS STAYING. CHAIR FRUMIN: THEY WERE LOOKING FOR, LIKE, A

BIRTH CERTIFICATE? >> YES, SIR. I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T HAVE THAT. >> YOU DIDN'T HAVE THAT. THEN PROOF OF -- >> BECAUSE OF MY SITUATION. WHAT HAPPENED. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. SO IT WAS LACK OF DOCUMENTS WAS

THE BASIS FOR THE DENIAL. >> YES, SIR. CHAIR FRUMIN: AND THEN HOW DID IT GET SOLVED? YOU SAID YOU WENT TO MLK. YOU TALKED TO A SOCIAL WORKER. YOU TALKED TO SOMEBODY FROM WASHINGTON LEGAL CLINIC. WERE

YOU ABLE TO SECURE THE DOCUMENTS? >> OH, NO, SIR. CHAIR FRUMIN: WHAT WAS THE SOLUTION? >> I WENT TO MLK LIBRARY, AND I WAS TALKING WITH A SOCIAL WORKER IN THE WASHINGTON LEAGUE CLINIC. PEOPLE WERE

THERE. THEY HELPED ME GET EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. I DIDN'T HAVE NO DOCUMENTS. CHAIR FRUMIN: I SEE. YOU GOT EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. YOU DIDN'T HAVE DOCUMENTS. THEN WERE YOU ABLE TO GET MORE ONGOING

ASSISTANCE ONCE YOU HAD THE EMERGENCY HOUSING? >> ONCE I GOT INTO THE SHELTER? YES. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE BIRTH CERTIFICATES BACK. CHAIR FRUMIN: I SEE. >> THEY HELPED ME GET THAT. NOW I'M STILL IN THE

PROCESS OF WORKING ON GETTING A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD. I DO HAVE MINE. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. SO THAT GAVE YOU THE TIME AND SUPPORT SO YOU WERE ABLE TO START GETTING THE DOCUMENTS THAT YOU WOULD HAVE

NEEDED IN THE FIRST INSTANCE. >> YES, SIR. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY. >> SURE, THANK YOU. CHAIR FRUMIN: LAJUAN, YOU RAISED A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT

SCENARIOS. WE ARE GOING TO ASK ABOUT THOSE SCENARIOS TO THE AGENCY. I THINK I WILL LEAVE THAT. ONE OF THE OTHERS THINGS WE WILL ASK ABOUT IS YOUR BEING ABLE TO HAVE A PRESENCE AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS

WHICH YOU ONCE HAD AND YOU DON'T HAVE NOW. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE TREND LINE IS NOT POSITIVE, BUT HAVE THERE BEEN RECENT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TRYING TO SECURE ACCESS THERE? >> WE HAVE TRIED ON SEVERAL

OCCASIONS TO TALK WITH THE DHS STAFF ABOUT REENTERING VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. WE HAD ACTUALLY SET UP ONGOING MEETINGS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE QUARTERLY WITH MYSELF AND MY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SOME OF

THE OTHER PEOPLE AT THE ORGANIZATION. SOME OF MY OTHER COLLEAGUES. WHERE WE WOULD CHECK IN QUARTERLY WITH WHAT WE ARE SEEING, WHAT SOME OF THE TRENDING THINGS ARE HAPPENING WITH THE FAMILIES. HOWEVER,

FOR THE LAST THREE MEETINGS, I THINK SINCE MARCH, WE HAVE NOT MET WITH ANYONE. WE HAVE NOT FOLLOWED UP. THE LAST INQUIRY THAT I MADE ABOUT COMING BACK INTO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, I WAS BASICALLY JUST TOLD

BY THE DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR, WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ANYMORE. AS I STATED, WE HAD A PRESENCE THERE WHEN THEY WERE ON RHODE ISLAND AVENUE. PART OF THE REASON THAT THEY GAVE US THAT

THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW US BACK INTO THAT SPACE WAS BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE SPACE. WE DIDN'T TAKE UP MUCH ROOM. WE WERE JUST THERE SHARING INFORMATION WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS SEEKING SHELTER. LETTING

THEM KNOW THAT AN ORGANIZATION LIKE OURS WAS AVAILABLE IN CASE THEY WERE DENIED, IF THEY NEEDED ADDITIONAL SERVICES OR SUPPORT, WE WERE THERE. SO I WAS A LITTLE CONFUSED AS TO WHY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THE MOVE HAPPENED. WE CONFIRMED THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO COME AND STILL CONTINUE OUR VISITS THERE. AND WE WERE TOLD YES. BUT COME JANUARY THAT, STORY CHANGED. IT HAS NOT-- WE HAVE NOT

REVERTED BACK SINCE. SO AGAIN, LIKE I MENTIONED, WE HAD TO GET A LITTLE CREATIVE IN HOW WE REACHED THOSE FAMILIES. CHAIR FRUMIN: AND SO BUT YOU ARE ABLE TO LEAVE YOUR FLYER AT THE SECURITY DESK THERE?

>> I MEAN, WE ARE ABLE TO DROP OFF FLYERS, YES. WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE MAKING IT TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THE FAMILIES THAT NEED IT IS BEYOND ME. YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES PEOPLE CALL US, WORD OF MOUTH

IS ALSO, YOU KNOW, A GREAT TOOL. PEOPLE FIND OUT ABOUT US IN THAT CAPACITY. WE ARE ABLE TO LEAVE THEM, SURE. WHETHER THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED IS ANOTHER STORY. CHAIR FRUMIN: I HEAR YOU. YOU SAID THAT

THERE WAS A PLACE YOU WERE NOT ALLOWED TO PROVIDE YOUR FLYERS. >> THERE IS A FRONT SECURITY DESK WHEN YOU FIRST ENTER THE BUILDING AT 64 NEW YORK AVENUE WHICH IS BUILDING SECURITY. WE WERE ABLE TO

LEAVE FLYERS THERE. MY LAST VISIT IN AUGUST, I DID MY ROUTINE. I WENT TO LEGAL SERVICES. I STOPPED AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. AND I STOPPED AT THE FRONT DESK TO LEAVE FLYERS. THE GENTLEMAN, THE SECURITY

GUARD WHO WAS THERE WHO I LEFT FLYERS WITH BEFORE, HE WAS ABOUT TO REACH, AND HE WAS, LIKE, OH, I'M SORRY. I REMEMBER TALKING TO YOU. WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE YOUR CORRESPONDENCE ANYMORE. AND I

SAID, WELL, WHY IS THAT? AND HE MADE A GESTURE LIKE THEY TOLD ME I CAN'T RECEIVE ANY MORE PAPERS. SO THEY, ASSUMING THAT IT IS STAFF FROM UPSTAIRS WHICH IS DHS. THAT COULD BE INCORRECT. WHATEVER, JUST

TO MAKE SURE AND CONFIRM, I REACHED OUT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR TO SEE WHAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND WHY WE WERE NOT ABLE TO LEAVE FLYERS OR WHY THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH US LEAVING FLYERS, AND

THAT PARTICULAR QUESTION WAS NEVER ANSWERED. IT WAS JUST THAT YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO. YOU CAN ONLY LEAVE FLYERS AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS AT THEIR SECURITY DESK. WHICH AGAIN, WAS A LITTLE CONFUSING AS TO

WHY. CHAIR FRUMIN: AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS SECURITY DESK AS OPPOSED TO THE BUILDING. >> OFFICE SPACE, YES. CHAIR FRUMIN: I SEE. OKAY. BUT YOU STILL-- THERE IS STI STILL-- I'M NOT SAYING THAT THIS IS

SUFFICIENT, BUT I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LANDSCAPE IS. THERE IS STILL A PLACE THERE WHERE YOU CAN LEAVE FLYERS. THERE WAS A SECOND PLACE THAT YOU WERE LEAVING FLYERS, AND THAT ONE GOT

TAKEN AWAY. THAT IS THE BUILDING SECURITY ONE. >> WELL, YEAH. I WAS TOLD BY THE BUILDING SECURITY THAT IS THEY WERE TOLD NOT TO ACCEPT ANY MORE FLYERS FROM US. ANY MORE CORRESPONDENSENCE FROM US. YES.

CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. WE WILL COME BACK TO THIS LATER TODAY. CHARMAINE, I HEAR YOU. IT WAS NOT MY INTENTION TO SUGGEST THAT THE SHELTER OPTION IS NOT A

GOOD OPTION OR AN IMPORTANT ONE. WE SPENT SOME OF THE SUMMER TOURING DIFFERENT SITES, AND REALLY IMPRESSED BY THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE AND THE VIBE IN THE PLACES. SO I'M NOT-- ON THE OTHER HAND,

PART OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE HOMELESS SERVICES SPACE, AND SOME OF IT COMES UP IN THE TESTIMONY FROM MONIQUE IS LOOKING FOR OTHER KINDS OF SOLUTIONS WHEN THEY WORK. I DIDN'T MEAN TO BE-- POINT WELL

TAKEN ABOUT WORDS MATTER. AND I DIDN'T MEAN TO, IN ANY WAY, DISPARAGE THAT OPTION. WE NEED MORE TOOLS, AND SO LOOKING FORWARD, OTHER TOOLS THAT WORK. IF IT DON'T WORK,-- IF THEY DON'T WORK, THEY DON'T

WORK. IF THEY WORK, YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM. MESSAGE RECEIVED. THANK YOU FOR COMING FORWARD WITH YOUR STORY. MONIQUE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF IT WHEN YOU SAY YOU REFUSED TO

LEAVE AND THEN YOU GOT SERVICE. MAYBE YOU CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THERE. >> WELL, I DIDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO. I WAS 7 MONTHS PREGNANT. SO I WAS-- I MEAN, I HAD NO OTHER

OPTIONS. I WAS HOMELESS. SO I DID NOT LEAVE THE SERVICE CENTER. I WAS TOLD TO LEAVE, TO GO GET LUNCH BECAUSE I WAS PREGNANT. AND WHEN I CAME BACK, I WAS AFFORDED SERVICES. AT THAT POINT, THIS IS WHERE

I NEED SERVICES FROM. THERE WAS NO WAY FOR ME-- THERE WAS NOWHERE FOR ME TO GO. I WAS HOMELESS AND 7 MONTHS PREGNANT. SO I JUST DID NOT LEAVE. IT PROBABLY WASN'T A GOOD APPROACH, BUT IT WAS THE ONLY

THING I HAD AT THAT TIME. YOU KNOW, I MEAN, FOR ME, IT WORKED IN THAT SITUATION. BUT I THINK IT ONLY WORKED BECAUSE THEY WERE ABLE TO REALLY SEE THAT I REALLY HAD NOWHERE ELSE TO GO. CHAIR FRUMIN:

OKAY. HELPFUL. AND THE POINT THAT YOU MADE ABOUT FOLKS WHO ARE ON THE CUSP OF HOMELESSNESS AND YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER THAT CAN ALLOW THEM TO AVOID HOMELESSNESS, AND IT'S A TRICKY SPACE. I

ACTUALLY DO THINK THAT DHS IS TRYING TO COME UP WITH WAYS AND HAVE MORE TOOLS SO THAT IT DOESN'T BLISTER INTO SOMEBODY ABSOLUTELY DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE TO STAY. IT IS TRICKY. BECAUSE RESOURCES ARE

LIMITED. AND YOU NEED TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHEN IT IS THAT YOU CAN DEPLOY THOSE KINDS OF RESOURCES, BUT I HEAR YOU. IT HAS AN INTERPLAY WITH THE OTHER PIECE WHICH IS TRYING TO FIND COST-EFFECTIVE

SOLUTIONS IN GRAY AREAS WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF SUBJECTIVITY. THAT IS A TRICKY PLACE. AND I WILL BE ASKING THE DIRECTOR ABOUT THAT LATER. >> ONE MORE THING. MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT SOMETIMES FROM

THE SHOES OF SOMEONE WHO WAS TRYING TO GET SERVICES, IT SEEMS LIKE THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS RESOURCE SWENTER WILL USE ANY LITTLE REASON THAT THEY CAN TO DENY YOU. I HAD WENT TO VISIT FAMILY, AND WHILE I

WAS THERE, I'M, LIKE, WELL, LET ME JUST SEE WHAT THE STATE HAS TO OFFER. I HAVE BEEN A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF WASHINGTON, D.C. I KNOW NO OTHER PLACE. I EVENTUALLY CAME BACK HOME. JUST ME DISCLOSING THAT

ONE LITTLE TIDBIT WAS ENOUGH FOR THEM TO SAY YOU DON'T DESERVE SERVICES. EVEN THOUGH I WAS ABLE TO SHOW THIS LADY THE LAST APARTMENT THAT I LIVED IN IN D.C., MY WORK HISTORY, MY EMPLOYMENT, MY SCHOOL

HISTORY, I LAID DOWN EVERYTHING THAT I HAD. I MEAN, THIS IS MY ONLY PLACE THAT I HAVE EVER LIVED. AND JUST THAT ONE STATEMENT WAS SOMETHING THAT THEY USED TO SAY OH, WELL, YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR

SERVICES. MY QUESTION BACK TO THEM WAS TELL ME HOW I DON'T QUALIFY FOR SERVICES WHEN I HAVE EVERYTHING TO PROVIDE YOU THAT I DO. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. MESSAGE RECEIVED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO ALL OF

YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> MAY I SAY ONE OTHER THING? YOU KNOW, AND JUST TO REITERATE. IT IS NOT THAT TRICKY OR THAT COMPLICATED WHEN A FAMILY IS SEEKING SHELTER. MISS KENNEDY'S STORY AND HER TESTIMONY IS

EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WITH INTERIM ELIGIBILITY. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO USE INTERIM ELIGIBILITY, GET HER PLACED, MAKE SURE SHE HAS A SAFE PLACE FOR HER AND

HER DAUGHTERS AND THEN ALLOW HER THAT TIME IF SHE NEEDS TO GET HER DOCUMENTATION. IT TOOK ADVOCACY FROM AN ATTORNEY TO GET HER PLACED. MEANWHILE, SHE WAS STILL WITHOUT A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. AND SO

THERE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE SOME CHANGES AND SOME, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING SET IN MOTION WHERE FAMILIES LIKE HERS AND OTHER FAMILY THAT IS COME BEHIND HER AND THESE DIFFERENT YOUNG LADIES ON THIS PANEL

DO NOT HAVE TO PU UP WITH THAT. THAT FRUSTRATING THAT, RETRAUMATIZING THING THAT HAPPENS TO THEM WHEN THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO FIND SECURITY AND STABILITY AND A SAFE PLACE TO BE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

CHAIR FRUMIN: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. AND THANK YOU TO THESE WITNESSES. COUNCILMEMBER WHITE, DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS? >> I DON'T. I'M A LITTLE DISHEARTENED BY WHAT I'M HEARING

CONSISTENTLY FROM THE WITNESSES. IT IS MY HOPE THAT WE CAN TAKE SOME TIME EVEN AFTER THE HEARING, TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO GET THIS IN ORDER. BECAUSE THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING TO US

IN DIRE NEED. MAYBE THE LAST OPTION. I'M JUST LISTENING AND TAKING IT ALL IN. CHAIR FRUMIN: ALL RIGHT. VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU TO OUR WITNESSES. I WILL TURN TO OUR NEXT PANEL. JAMES McGEE.

MCKENNA OSBORN. NOW, MS. OSBORN, IS THE LAST ON MY LIST OF IN-PERSON WITNESSES. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE WHO CAME TO TESTIFY IN PERSON WHOSE NAME HASN'T BEEN CALLED WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME FORWARD?

ALL RIGHT. MS. OSBORN. >> GOOD MORNING, CHAIRPERSON FRUMIN. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY. MY NAME IS MAKENNA OSBORN, I'M A SENIOR POLICY ATTORNEY AT CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER AND A RESIDENT OF

THE DISTRICT. I'M TESTIFYING TODAY ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER. THANK YOU FOR CONVENING THIS ROUNDTABLE ON THE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. EVERY DAY CHILDREN'S LAW

CENTER WORKS WITH D.C. FAMILIES IN PRECARIOUS HOUSING SITUATIONS. WHO SEEK ASSISTANCE THROUGH VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. FAMILIES ON THE BRINK OF HOMELESSNESS WHO WITH HELP FROM THE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION

PROGRAM, HPP, COULD MAINTAIN HOUSING IN THEIR CURRENT UNIT OR SUCCESSFULLY MOVE TO ANOTHER. AND FAMILIES WHO DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO STAY. AND NEED SHELTER. WITH THIS IN MIND,

AND MY TIME TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS ON HPP WHICH IS. WHICH HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY IN RECENT YEARS BUT LACKS THE TRANSPARENCY AND CLARITY NEEDED FOR D.C. FAMILIES TO UNDERSTAND IT AND THE COUNCIL

AND STAKEHOLDERS TO ASSESS ITS EFFICACY. FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO EVERYONE E THAT THE EXPERIENCES OF SEEKING HOMELESS SERVICES AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS DESCRIBED BY PREVIOUS WITNESSES IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF

SO MANY FAMILIES WE WORK WITH. THE DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION VIRGINIA WILLIAMS REQUIRES FOR PROVING ELIGIBILITY IS UNDULY DILT FOR FAMILIES TO MEET. ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED CHRONIC

HOUSING INSTABILITY AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WHERE THEY HAVE MOVED FREQUENTLY OR BEEN IN TEMPORARY INFORMAL LIVING SITUATIONS. ON HPP, CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER SUPPORTS DHS'S EFFORT TO PUT RESOURCES INTO

PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS. AND THE NEED FOR SHELTER PLACEMENT. AND WE THINK THERE ARE BENEFITS TO THE POSSIBILITY OF HPP TO TAILOR ASSISTANCE TO A FAMILY'S UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES AND NEEDS. HOWEVER, WE

ARE CONCERNED WITH THE SCALE THAT HPP HAS GROWN IN RECENT YEARS WITHOUT THE TRANSPARENCY AND CLARITY NEEDED TO ENSURE IT IS BEING ADMINISTERED FAIRLY AND IN A WAY THAT MEETS FAMILIES' NEEDS. I WOULD

LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THREE KEY CONCERNS WITH HPP THAT WE HOPE THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS WITH DHS LEADERSHIP TODAY. AND WORK ON ADDRESSING MOVING FORWARD. FIRST, ON BASIC PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND

TRANSPARENCY, THERE IS VERY LITTLE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION ABOUT HPP, HOW ITS ELIGIBILITY IS DETERMINED, AND HOW THE PROGRAM IS OPERATED. THAT CREATES CONFUSION FOR FAMILIES AND THE ADVOCATES

TRYING TO HELP THEM. IT IS ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE DHS HAS NOT PUBLISHED REGULATIONS GOVERNING HPP. REGULATIONS ARE NECESSARY TO FILL IN DETAILS ABOUT WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM, HOW THOSE

EL JIBLGHT DETERMINATIONS ARE MADE, AND WHAT FAMILIES ENROLLED IN HPP CAN EXPECT FROM PROVIDERS. ALSO IMPORTANTLY, REGULATIONS ARE JUDICIALLY ENFORCEABILITY. WHEN THEY ARE NOT APPLIED CONSISTENTLY OR

FAIRLY, FAMILIES HAVE A WAY TO HOLD THE AGENCY ACCOUNTABLE. WE URGE THE COMMITTEE TO ASK IF AGENCY HAS A PLAN FORECAST HPP REGULATIONS AND SUPPORT THEM IN PUBLISHING THEM. SECOND, WE ARE CONCERNED

THAT HPP IS OR COULD START OPERATING AS SHELTER DENIAL WITHOUT ANY OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAL THE DECISION. AS DHS HAS STATED IN ITS PRE-HEARING RESPONSES, HPP IS NOT-- REFERRAL TO HPP IS NOT A SHELTER

DENIAL, ACCORDING TO AGENCY. RATHER, FAMILIES ARE REFERRED TO HPP WHEN THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR HOMELESS SERVICES BUT CURRENTLY HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. IN OUR EXPERIENCE, FAMILIES ARE NOT RECEIVING

ANY WRITTEN EXPLANATION OR NOTICE OF WHY THEY ARE REFERRED TO HPP INSTEAD OF PLACED IN SHELTER. AS SUCH, THERE IS REALLY NO-- AND THEY ARE NOT HAVING ANY EXPLANATION OF IT BEING AN AGENCY DECISION

THAT THEY COULD POTENTIALLY APPEAL. THERE IS REALLY NO WAY FOR FAMILIES REFERRED TO HPP TO APPEAL THAT DECISION, AND THERE IS A LACK OF CLARITY ON WHAT HAPPENS IF A FAMILY IS REFERRED TO HPP BUT

ASSERTS THEY DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. IN THE IMMEDIATE FOR THAT NIGHT OR THE NEXT COUPLE OF NIGHTS. EVEN IF THEY MAY BE ABLE TO FIND A PLACE TO STAY. AFTER THAT. AND FINALLY, I WANT TO UPLIFT

SOMETHING THE COMMITTEE INCLUDED IN THE NOTICE FOR THIS ROUNDTABLE. THE GOAL SHOULD BE FOR HPP TO SUSTAINABLY PREVENT AND NOT MERELY DELAY HOMELESSNESS AND SHELTER ENTRY. IF HPP IS NOT RELIABLY

ACHIEVING THAT, DHS, THE COUNCIL AND STAKEHOLDERS NEED TO ASSESS WHY AND WHETHER IT IS, IN FACT, THE APPROPRIATE PROGRAM FOR THE MANY FAMILIES BEING REFERRED TO IT. THE DATA DHS PROVIDED IN ITS PRE-

HEARING RESPONSES RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES REFERRED TO HPP WHO END UP ENTERING SHELTER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WE ARE URGE THE COMMITTEE TO ASK DHS FOR A COMMITMENT TO REGULARLY SHARE

DATA ON HPP. INCLUDING WHICH RESOURCES FAMILIES ARE RECEIVING AND OUTCOMES BROKEN DOWN BY THE KIND OF ASSISTANCE RECEIVED SO WE CAN IDENTIFY TRENDS HOPEFULLY IN WHAT IS WORKING TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS

AND WHAT'S NOT AND IS RESULTING IN EVENTUAL SHELTER ENTRIES. THANK YOU. I WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU. AS ALWAYS, FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SOME OF THE WITNESSES

SAID WAS THAT THEY FEEL LIKE THERE IS A CULTURE OF LOOKING FOR A BASIS FOR DENIAL, AND I'M SURE THE AGENCY WILL NOT FEEL THAT THAT IS WHAT THE CASE IS. BUT THE THERE ALSO IS-- I PERCEE A NEED TO

DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY AND TO HAVE REQUIREMENTS TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY, AND WHENEVER THAT-- DO YOU SHARE THAT? THAT THERE SHOULD BE A PROCESS OF DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY. >> I MEAN, YES. AND I THINK

THE ISSUE IS THE KIND-- THE STANDARDS THAT ARE BEING USED TO DETERMINE THAT ELIGIBILITY. LIKE SEVERAL WITNESSES HAVE MENTIONED EARLIER, SOME FAMILIES THAT CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER HAS WORKED WITH HAVE

ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM OF-- IT IS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT TO PROVE THAT YOU NO LONGER LIVE AT OR CAN'T LIVE AT AN ADDRESS YOU HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH, YOU KNOW, ONE, TWO, THREE ADDRESSES AGO,

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE INCREASINGLY SEEN. AND THAT DOES NOT-- I DON'T THINK IS NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH THE ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS IN OUR LAW. CHAIR FRUMIN: AND THAT IS PART OF WHAT WE ARE

INTERROGATING HERE. I'M JUST TRYING TO GET AT THE CHALLENGE THAT THE AGENCY FACES BECAUSE THERE ARE LIMITED RESOURCES, AND YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE GREATEST NEED FOR SERVICES GET

THAT. THERE IS AN ARGUMENT, HAVE MORE RESOURCES SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO O HAVE THIS. BUT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE LIMITED RESOURCES. THE OTHER, ON HPP AND WE WILL INTERROGATE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT YOU ARE

TALKING ABOUT, THERE IS THE-- IN A DIFFERENT VOUCHER SETTING, WHERE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BEHAVIOR ISSUES FORECAST AND CHALLENGES THAT PEOPLE HAVE WHEN THEY GET A VOUCHER AND THEY MAY MOVE INTO THE

FIRST APARTMENT, IT DOESN'T WORK. NEXT APARTMENT, DOESN'T WORK. NEXT APARTMENT, THEY GET THE STABILITY AND IT WORKS. AND THIS IS DIFFERENT HERE. AND ON THIS, WITH HPP, EVEN IF IT TOOK A COUPLE OF

TRIES, COULD IT-- WOULD IT STILL BE SUCCESSFUL FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE? I THINK THE IDEA OF TRYING TO FIND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IS REALLY IMPORTANT. AND I THINK I WANT TO BE ENCOURAGING

THAT IN THE AGENCY. AND IT GOES TO WHAT'S THE STANDARD O OF IF IT'S WORKING. IF IT WORKS HALF THE TIME, AND THEN FOR THE OTHER HALF, FOLKS COME BACK AND MAYBE IT WORKS HALF THE TIME ON A SECOND TRY.

IS THAT SUCCESS OR IS THAT A FAILURE IN YOUR MIND? >> I THINK WE WOULD HAVE TO GIVE MORE THOUGHT AND ANALYSIS TO THAT PARTICULAR QUESTION, BUT ONE OF MY CONCERNS WITH HPP AS IT IS BEING OPERATED IS

WHAT IS HAPPENING WHILE SOMEONE IS IN HPP. THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE HARMFUL AND FURTHER DESTABILIZING. FOR THE AGENCY THINKING THAT SOMEWHERE IS A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. BUT THE FAMILY IS NOT

EXPERIENCING SAFETY WHILE THEY ARE THERE, AND THAT IS FURTHER EXTENDING MAYBE THEIR INSTABILITY AND POOR CONDITIONS OR, YOU KNOW, INTERPERSONAL STRESS AND DANGER THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE EXPERIENCING

POTENTIALLY IF SH THEY WERE IN SHELTER WHICH HAS ITS OWN CHALLENGES AND TRAUMAS THAT IT CAN PUT FAMILIES THROUGH. BUT THAT THERE IS, THERE IS NOT CLARITY ON-- AND NO OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES TO REALLY

THINK ABOUT WHICH OF THOSE OPTIONS ARE BEST FOR THEM. AND WHICH IS GOING TO BE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FOR THEIR FAMILY. CHAIR FRUMIN: AND THIS GOES TO SOME OF YOUR TRANSPARENCY ARGUMENTS, THAT

REGULATIONS, APPEALABILITY-- OKAY. WE WILL BE ASKING ABOUT THOSE THINGS. I THINK YOU ARE THE LAST IN-PERSON WITNESS. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING IN LOW CANNING YOU WANT TO SAY. I DON'T SEE COUNCILMEMBER

WHITE ANY LONGER. IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU WANTED TO ADD, I'LL GIVE YOU A CHANCE. >> JUST THAT WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS WITH YOU MOVING FORWARD ABOUT HOW WE ARE MEASURING SUCCESS

AND EVALUATING HPP. MOVING FORWARD. THANK YOU. CHAIR FRUMIN: LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. ALL RIGHT. SO WE WILL-- I HAVE ASKED IF THERE IS ANYBODY ELSE HERE IN PERSON. THERE IS NOT. WE WILL NOW CALL OUR

VIRTUAL WITNESSES TO SPEAK IN PANELS OF FOUR TO SIX. FOR EACH WITNESS, I WILL CALL YOUR NAME, AND A MEMBER OF MY STAFF WILL MAKE YOU A PANELIST. IF YOU WISH TO APPEAR ON VIDEO, YOU MUST CLICK THE

BUTTON IN THE TOOL BAR AT THE BOTTOM OF SCREEN THAT LOOKS LIKE A VIDEO CAMERA. PLEASE REMAIN MUTED UNTIL IT IS YOUR TURN TO TESTIFY. WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN TO TESTI TESTIFY, PLEASE UNMUTE YOURSELF.

AFTER EACH PANEL TESTIFIES, I AND OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, SHOULD OTHERS JOIN, MAY ASK A ROUND OF QUESTIONS. PLEASE STAY ON THE ZOOM MUTED UNTIL I CALL YOUR NAME AGAIN. FOR ANY TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES,

YOU CAN SEND A MESSAGE TO THE HOST WHICH IS LABELED AS COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, AND THEY WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU. ADDITIONALLY, IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE GAINING ACCESS TO THE ZOOM AND YOU HAVE

PREREGISTERED, YOU CAN REACH MY TEAM AT [email protected]. THEY WILL TRY TO RESOLVE YOUR ISSUE. NOW LET'S TURN TO OUR FIRST PANEL OF VIRTUAL WITNESSES. CHARISSE LUE. BRIT RUFFIN. KAREN

SETTLES. DANYS DONEICE FLOOD. DIAMOND OSBORNE. JAZMINE WATERS. OKAY. DAVESHIA HOCKADAY. STEPHANIE DAVIS. BOBBIE SMITH. DANIELLE WRIGHT. MIKAYLA FEARN. I IDALIA HERNANDEZ. OKAY. SHONNIE JONES. MYRON

JONES. MEGAN BELTON. JOE HANNIE ABREU-HENRIQUEZ. ROBYN SWANSON. KYAUS WASHINGTON. OKAY. DINAHETTA LEWIS. AND KEISHA BRISCOE. OKAY. AND I THINK SHONNIE JONES IS OUR FIRST WITNESS. SO WHEN YOU ARE

READY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN. GOOD AFTERNOON TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. MY NAME IS SHONNIE JONES. Adam: A FAMILY RESOURCE SPECIALIST AT FAMILY VOICES OF D.C. WE ARE A LOCAL

FAMILY. >> LED NONPROFIT, FAMILY TO FAMILY HELP INFORMATION CENTER. SUPPORTING FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AND ALSO YOUTH WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS. I'M TESTIFYING TODAY FROM THE AGENCY STANDPOINT.

HOWEVER, MY PERSPECTIVE IS ALSO DEEPLY PERSONAL. I'M A CAREGIVER OF AN ADULT CHILD WITH AUTISM, AND NEARLY TEN YEARS AGO, I NAVIGATED THIS EXACT ELIGIBILITY PROCESS MYSELF AS A RESIDENT IN NEED. YOU

CAN GIVE ME ONE SECOND. THANK YOU. I LATER SERVED AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE DHS CONSUMER ADVISORY GROUP, AND THE FRSP TASK FORCES UNTIL THEY WERE DISMANTLED IN 2023. AFTER MY OWN HOUSING CRISIS, IT

IS DISHEARTENING TO SEE THAT THE SYSTEM HAS NOT IMPROVED. RIGHT NOW IN THE INTAKE PROCESS FEELS LIKE AN ORGANIZED EFFORT TO TURN DESPERATE ELIGIBLE FAMILIES AWAY. FIRST, VULNERABLE FAMILIES ARE BEING

ISOLATED. BRING AN INDEPENDENT ADVOCATES AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS INTO THE SPACE IS HIGHLY FROWNED UPON AT THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FAMILY INTAKE CENTER. WE ARE ROUTINELY RESTRICTED FROM INTERNAL FA--

FACILITIES. FAMILIES HAVE A RIGHT TO-- SECOND, THE HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM ALSO KNOWN AS HPP IS BEING MISUSED AS A BARRIER TO SHELTER CARE. STAFF USE IT AS A MANDATORY SHIELD TO AVOID PLACING

FAMILIES INTO EMERGENCY SHELTER. THE FUNDING IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO THREE MONTHS. THAT IS COMPLETELY UNREALISTIC TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE IN THE D.C. HOUSING MARKET. THE FUNDING CAN BE

EXTENDED TO SIX MONTHS IF A FAMILY AGREES TO LEAVE THE DISTRICT ENTIRELY. FORCING FAMILIES TO RELOCATE OUT OF STATE AND GIVE UP THEIR D.C. REZ DEN SI JUST TO GET HOUSING IT IS DISPLACEMENT. IT IS NOT

A SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS. FURTHERMORE, DHS STAFF HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO LOOK UP AND CALL AN APPLICANT'S EXTENDED FAMILY, OFFERING THEM CASH TO HOUSE FAMILY IN LIEU OF SHELTER CARE. PRESSURING LOW-INCOME

RELATIVES TO ACCEPT HOUSEHOLDS INTO ALREADY OVERCROWDED SPACES TO KEEP THE CITY SHELTER NUMBERS DOWN IS JUST SIMPLY UNETHICAL. THIRD, THE ATMOSPHERE AT THE CENTER IS HOSTILE. FAMILIES FREQUENTLY

REPORT DISRESPECTFUL TREATMENT FROM SECURITY GUARDS AND INTAKE WORKERS. BASIC REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE BEING FLAT-OUT DENIED. FINALLY, THE PROCESS COMPLETELY LACKS TRANSPARENCY.

WHILE FISCAL YEAR 2026 DATA IS NOT YET PUBLIC, THEY ARE VERIFIED NUMBERS FROM FISCAL YEAR 2025 THAT REVEAL A HIGH SHELTER DENIAL RATE OF OVER 75%. TURNING AWAY THREE QUARTERS O'. >> FAMILIES WHO HAVE

COME TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FOR HELP IS ACTUALLY AN ADMINISTRATIVE FAILURE. HERE IS MY SOLUTION. DHS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PUBLISH A PUBLIC DATA DASHBO DASHBOARD. VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF

BUILDINGS CURRENTLY USE. THE DASHBOARD COULD DISPLAY DENIAL AND APPROVAL RATES, CROSS-REFERENCE FOR HOUSEHOLD SIZE, APPROVE OR DENY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS REQUESTS, SPECIFIC REASONS FOR DENIAL, AND

LONG-TERM HPP HOUSING. AND THEN I JUST HAVE ANOTHER REQUEST. I WOULD LOVE FOR THE COUNCIL TO COMPEL DHS TO REINSTATE THE CONSUMER ADVISORY GROUP. IT GIVES RESIDENTS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE THEIR SEAT AT

THE TABLE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIM TIME. I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. JOE HANNIE-- JOHANNY ABREU-HENRIQUEZ. I

THINK YOU ARE MUTED. >> I'M SO SO ORY. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? CHAIR FRUMIN: YUP. VERY GOOD. >> GOOD MORNING, CHAIRPERSON FRUMIN. MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY TODAY.

MY NAME IS JOHANNY ABREU-HENRIQUEZ. I'M THE HOUSING COORDINATOR FOR THE D.C. SAVES SHELTER. AS THE ONLY 24-7 CRISIS AGENCY FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THIS YEAR WE SERVED MORE THAN 12,000 CLIENTS,

INCLUDING MORE THAN 300 ADULTS AND 500 CHILDREN IN OUR SHELTER. WE HAVE A LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER THROUGH THE

HIGH-RISK DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INITIATIVE. VIRGINIA WILLIAMS IS AN ESSENTIAL PARTNER IN HELPING SURVIVORS AND FAMILIES MOVE FROM CRISIS FOR LONG-TERM HOUSING STABILITY, AND WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE THEIR

PARTNERSHIP. TODAY I WANT TO FOCUS ON SAFETY AND CONSISTENCY FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HOUSING DECISIONS ARE SAFETY DECISIONS. FOR THE INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY TRAUMA, WHETHER THERE IS

VIOLENCE IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD, HOUSING INSTABILITY OR BOTH, CONSISTENCY IS ESSENTIAL FOR MITIGATING HARM. THE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS CONSIDERED TODAY OFTEN STARTS WITH ASSESSING FOR DIVERSION

FROM SHELTER. THE QUESTION CANNOT SIMPLY BE WHETHER SOMEONE HAS SPACE OR CAPACITY. WE ALSO NEED TO KNOW WHETHER THAT ALTERNATIVE IS ACTUALLY SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE. WE ENCOURAGE DHS TO STRENGTHEN SAFETY

SCREENING BEFORE DIVERSION. REDUCE THE RELIANCE ON DIVERSION WHEN IT IS NOT SAFE OR A SUSTAINABLE OPTION. WE WANT CLEAR PATHWAYS AND PROCESSES FOR THOSE DIVERTED TO HPP WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE AFTER

DIVERSION. WHEN DIVERSION BECOMES UNSAFE OR UNTENABLE, SURVIVORS CAN FACE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS TO BECOME REASSESSED FOR SHELTER. AN HPP CASE WORKER IS EXPECTED TO FACILITATE WITH THAT REFERRAL. EVEN

WHEN CONTACT WITH THAT SURVIVOR MAY BE LIMITED. A SURVIVOR ALREADY IN CRISIS MAY HAVE TO NAVIGATE ANOTHER LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY AND RETELL THEIR STORY BEFORE RECEIVING ANOTHER SHELTER ASSESSMENT. WHILE

WE STRIVE TO WORK WITH FAMILIES TO CREATE SAFETY AND STABILITY THIS THEIR EXISTING HOMES, FOR SOME, RETURNING HOME IS NOT A SAFE OPTION. SURVIVORS NEED FLEXIBILITY AND OFFER OF SHELTER AS THEY

CONSIDER NEXT STEPS. WE OFTEN FIND BARRIERS AND INCONSISTENCY FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR SURVIVORS. WE WOULD LIKE THERE TO BE CLEAR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT SAFETY AND LETHALITY RISK. WE

ENCOURAGE THE DISTRICT TO EXPLORE A COMMUNITY-BASED ACCESS POINT TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS RESOURCES. DASH PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN SCREENING WITH ALMOST 50% OF HOMELESS FAMILIES REPORTING A DV HISTORY, WE

HAVE CREATED A STRONG MODEL OF COLLABORATION AND BELIEVE IT CAN BE REPLICATED WITH OTHER PROGRAMS. PARTICULARLY FOR YOUTH FACING HOMELESSNESS. MANY FAMILIES ARE ALREADY CONNECTED TO TRUSTED

ORGANIZATIONS THAT UNDERSTAND THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES AND SAFETY AND CONCERNS. THOSE ORGANIZATIONS COULD POTENTIALLY HELP FAMILIES NAVIGATE ELIGIBILITY WITHOUT REQUIRING THEM TO APPEAL AND RECOUNT PAINFUL

DISPLACEMENT AND VIOLENCE WHILE KEEPING CONNECTED TO THOSE. FINALLY, WE NEED TO MATCH THE NEED OF RESOURCES. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAN RESULT IN UNPAID RENT AND YOU TILLS, LOSS OF ACCESS TO FINANCIAL

RESOURCES. FOR SOME FAMILIES, THE ASSIST CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IS NOT ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THOSE BARRIERS THERE. SHOULD BE A REALISTIC AS ISMENT OF WHETHER THE RESOURCES THROUGH HPP AND OTHER PROGRAMS CAN

ACTUALLY SUPPORT A SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE HOUSING PLAN. WE EMPHASIZE CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT THE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS BECAUSE HOUSING INSTABILITY IS TRAUMATIC FOR ANYONE SEEKING HELP.

SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OUGHT TO FACE ADDITIONAL-- OUGHT NOT TO FACE ADDITIONAL TRAUMA AND SAFETY CONCERNS. WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES, THE SYSTEM THEY TURN TO SHOULD PROVIDE

CLEAR EXPECTATIONS, PREDICTABLE PROCESSES AND ACCESSES TO SUPPORT. PROVING THE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS WILL NOT SOLVE ALL THE HOUSING CHALLENGES. A SYSTEM THAT IS

CONSISTENT, SAFETY-INFORMED, FLEXIBLE, AND ADEQUATELY RESOURCED CAN REMOVE UNNECESSARY BARRIERS AT ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS IN A SURVIVOR'S LIFE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR

CONSIDERATION. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. ROBYN SWANSON. ALL RIGHT. WHEN YOU ARE READY. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. MY NAME IS ROB

JOIN-- ROBYN SWANSON. I'M FROM VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES. I'M A D.C. RESIDENT ALSO. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY. VOLUNTEER LEGAL ADVOCATES WAS FOUNDED TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY PRO

BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN: IN 2025, OVER 600 LAWYERS VOLUNTEERED WITH US, CONTRIBUTING $23 MILLION IN

FREE LEGAL SERVICES. TOGETHER WE PROVIDED LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO OVER 3,000 ADULTS AND CHILDREN. OUR ORGANIZATION HAS ADVOCATES ON STAFFER STAFF TO SUPPORT CLIENTS WITH SAFETY PLANNING,

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND GUIDANCE IN NAVIGATING VITAL RESOURCES. AMONG OTHER THINGS, OUR ADVOCATES REGULARLY ASSIST THE RELOCATION AND HOUSING ADVOCACY, INCLUDING LETTERS TO LANDLORDS, ASSISTANCE WITH

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, ADVOCACY WITH D.C. SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY, AND CONNECTIONS WITH RENTAL AND MOVING ASSISTANCE. AS WE HAVE HEARD FROM MANY WITNESSES DURING THIS ROUNDTABLE TODAY, HOUSING IS NOT

JUST A COMMODITY FOR SURVIVORS OF ABUSE. IT IS A CRITICAL INTERVENTION. NATIONWIDE, AND I THINK WE HAVE HEARD THESE STATISTICS AT VARIOUS TIMES ALREADY. INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IS A LEADING DRIVER

OF HOMELESSNESS FOR WOMEN. 80% OF UNHOUSED MOTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SURVIVORS ARE TOO OFTEN FORCED INTO AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE. EITHER REMAIN IN A HOME WHERE THEY ARE PHYSICALLY

UNSAFE OR ESCAPE INTO IMMEDIATE HOUSING INSTABILITY. ON THE FRONT LINE IN OUR WORK, WE SEE THIS DEVASTATING TRADEOFF DAILY. FOR MANY CLIENTS, HOUSING IS THE KEY TO SAFETY. AND WITHOUT A SAFE

AFFORDABLE PLACE TO GO, LEAVING MA MAY NOTE POSSIBLE. AS YOU WELL KNOW, THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS RESOURCE CENTER, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT CRITICAL GAPS IN THE CURRENT CENTRALIZED INTAKE AND ELIGIBILITY

DETERMINATION PROCESS ARE NOT MEETING THE NEEDS OF SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES. ACCORDING TO DHS'S OVERSIGHT RESPONSES FOR THIS ROUNDTABLE, IN 2026 YEAR-TO-DATE, JUST 4% OF FAMILIES REPORTED TO

VIRGINIA WILLIAMS SEEKING SERVICESSES AND WERE THEN REFERD TO DASH. THESE NUMBERS ARE ALARMINGLY LOW AND SUGGEST THAT THE ELIGIBILITY SCREENING PROCESS IS FAILING TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE

FACING HOUSING INSTABILITY DUE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE-CONNECTED CAUSES. WE DO KNOW THAT SOME OF OUR CLIENTS FACING IMMINENT EVICTION OR SEVERE HOUSING INSTABILITY ARE ROUTINELY TURNED AWAY FROM VIRGINIA

WILLIAMS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT YET LITERALLY UNHOUSED OR THEY HAVE NOT YET FILED FOR A PROTECTIVE ORDER AGAINST THEIR ABUSER. WE KNOW THAT REQUIRING CLIENTS TO GO THROUGH A SINGLE CENTRALIZED INTAKE

MEANS THAT THOSE ARRIVING LATER IN THE DAY MAY BE LEFT UNPROCESSED OR UNPROTECTED WHICH HAS HAPPENED TO SOME OF OUR FAMILIES. OUR CLIENT FAMILIES. FINALLY, WE KNOW THROUGH OUR WORK THAT MANY

MARGINALIZED CLIENTS, PARTICULARLY UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS ARE DEEPLY RELUCTANT TO ENTER TRADITIONAL SHELTERS BECAUSE THEY ARE ASKED TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION THAT MAY PLACE THEM AT RISK. LEADING THEM

TO RELY ON OVEREXTENDED NETWORKS OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY. WE REMAIN CONCERNED THAT DHS IS FAILING TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY-COMPETENT PLACEMENTS. A TRANSGENDER IMMIGRANT CLIENT WAS TOLD SHE WOULD BE HOUSED

IN A MALE FACILITY, LEAVING HER TO LEAVE THE AREA AND EVENTUALLY SELF-DEPORTING. THE CHALLENGE AS WE SEE IT IS THAT AN INDIVIDUAL SEEKING HOUSING ASSISTANCE MA MAY NOT SELF-IDENTIFY AS A SURVIVOR OF

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR INDICATE THAT THEY HAVE A SAFETY NEED, AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER THE INTAKE STAFF ARE USING ASSESSMENTS TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY. DHS DECLINED TO SHARE IT

INTERNAL OPERATING DOCUMENTS. WITHOUT THESE SCRIPTS ARE, THE DETAILED ELIGIBILITY SCRIPTS, THERE IS NO WAY TO VERIFY THAT ITS CRITERIA ARE SENSITIVE TO THE URGENT, NUANCED SAFETY NEEDS OF SURVIVORS,

INCLUDING THOSE WHO MAY NOT YET SELF-IDENTIFY AS SURVIVORS. TO TRANSFORM THE SYSTEM FROM A GATEKEEPER INTO A TRUE HAVEN, WE ARE URGE A NUMBER OF REFORMS WHICH ARE DETAILED IN OUR WRITTEN TESTIMONY

SUBMITTED PRIOR TO THE HEARING. WE BELIEVE THE CENTER SHOULD OPEN ITS ELIGIBILITY SCRIPT AND SCREENING TOOLS TO INDEPENDENT REVIEW BY DV EXPERTS TO GUARANTEE THEY DON'T PENALIZE OR RETRAUMATIZE

SURVIVORS DURING INTAKE. WE BELIEVE STAFF MUST BE TRAINED TO FIND THAT HOUSING IS UNSAFE, PERIOD, IF AN APPLICANT REPORTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, STALKING, HUMAN TRAFFICKINGS OR ABUSE. COORDINATED STAFFER

MUST BE TRAINED BY LOCAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EXPERTS TO CONDUCT SPECIALIZED RISK AND DANGER SCREENINGS ALONGSIDE STANDARD INTAKE ASSESSMENTS. THIS ENSURES THAT HIDDEN SURVIVORS ARE CONNECTED TO DV

RESOURCES LIKE DASH. WE OUTLINE A NUMBER OF OTHER POINTS. I SEE MY TIME IS UP. I WANT TO THANK YOU TH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS IMPORTANT DISCUSSION TODAY. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. DINAHETTA LEWIS. MS. LEWIS. OKAY. MS. LEWIS? IF YOU ARE READY, OTHERWISE, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF FOLKS WHOSE NAMES I CALLED WHO HAVE

JOINED AND I'LL ASK THEM TO JOIN AND CIRCLE BACK TO YOU AFTERWARDS. JAZMINE WATERS. TAMIESHA LAWRENCE. AND MICHAEL CAMPELL. AND MAYBE WE WILL START WITH JAZMINE WATERS. >> MY NAME IS JAZMINE WATERS.

I'M HERE TODAY TO STATE PLAINLY THAT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS HAS FAILED ME AND MY CHILD. VIRGINIA WILLIAMS' MISSION IS TO HELP CREATE LASTING SOLUTIONS FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY THROUGH

SELF-SUFFICIENCY PLANNING, GOAL-EFFORT ISING AND ACHIEVEMENT. MY EXPERIENCE WITH VIRGINIA WILLIAMS DID NOT REFLECT THAT MISSION. I WENT TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS IN 2022. I WAS PREGNANT WITH MY DAUGHTER. I

WAS WORKING FOR AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDED HOUSING AS A PART OF MY EMPLOYMENT. WHEN MY EMPLOYMENT ENDED, SO DID MY ABILITY TO REMAIN IN THE HOUSING. I REACHED OUT BECAUSE I NEEDED HELP BEFORE MY

CHILD WAS BORN. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE ON THE STREETS WITH A NEWBORN BABY. I PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION EXPLAINING MY SITUATION, BUT I WAS TOLD I WAS NOT HOMELESS AND THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. ON THE DAY I

GAVE BIRTH, MY FORMER EMPLOYER AGREED TO HOUSE ME. THAT PREVENTED US FROM BEING ON THE STREET AT THAT MOMENT, BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE MY HOUSING INSTABILITY. FROM 2022 TO 2025, I WORKED TIRELESSLY TO

ACHIEVE STABLE HOUSING AND INCOME. AFTER 16 MONTHS OF BEING UNEMPLOYED SINGLE MOTHER, AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE ME WITH HOUSING AND A CAREER CAME ABOUT. I MOVED OUT OF D.C. IN HOPES I WOULD NEVER

EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS AGAIN. THEN IN JULY, 2025, I LOST MY JOB AND MY HOUSING. THE DAY I LOST MY JOB, I WENT BACK TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE. I WAS TOLD BY A CASE MANAGER THAT MY

BEST OPTION WAS TO ESTABLISH MYSELF AS A MARYLAND RESIDENT. BECAUSE I WAS UNLIKELY TO RECEIVE HELP WHILE LIVING IN D.C. I HAVE ALREADY MOVED BACK TO D.C. I TRIED TO FIND SOLUTIONS WITH HIM BUT I WAS

TURNED DOWN AN SENT AWAY. I FOLLOWED WHAT I WAS TOLD TO DO. I CAME BACK TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS TWICE MORE. BY THEN, I HAD BEEN LIVING IN MY CAR AND BOUNCING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE WITH A CHILD FOR FOUR

MONTHS. MY DAUGHTER WAS EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DURING THIS TIME. SHE WATCHED HER MOTHER BE MISTREATED BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE HAD SOMEWHERE TO SLEEP. WE WERE KICKED OUT DIFFERENT

TIMES. MY CHILD HAD TO SLEEP IN HER CAR SEAT UNTIL SOMEONE OPENED THEIR DOOR FOR US. I ASKED FOR HELP. I FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS AND I TRIED EVERY AVENUE I WAS DIRECTED TO PURSUE. I WAS DENIED FOUR

TIMES. EVENTUALLY, I CONTACTED THE LEGAL CLINIC FOR HOMELESS BECAUSE I FELT I HAD EXHAUSTED EVERY POPS OPTION. LEGAL AID HELPED ME GET INTO SHELTER IN THE SAME DAY. THE SHELTER DID NOT FIT OUR

INSTABILITY. IT IS NOW 2026. I'M STILL STRUGGLING TO PROVIDE FOR MYSELF AND MY CHILD. IF A FEW MONTHS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT I COULD BE HOMELESS AGAIN. I ASKED MYSELF, WHERE AM I GOING TO GO? IN MY FREE

TIME, I PROVIDE THE DMV AREA-- UNLIKE SOME OF THE EXPERIENCES I HAD, I CHOOSE TO SHOW MY CLIENTS COMPASSION AND EMPATHY. EVEN WHEN I CANNOT HELP SOMEONE DIRECTLY, I GIVE THEM MEANINGFUL RESOURCES SO

THEY CAN MOVE TOWARDS STABILITY. I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO NEED HELP AND FEEL LIKE NOBODY IS LISTENING. I CAME TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS BELIEVING THAT THEY WOULD HELP ME, AND THEY CHOSE-- BELIEVING

THEY WOULD HELP ME AND MY CHILD TO BECOME STABLE. I FELT LIKE THIS PROGRAM IS STRUCTURED IN A WAY THAT IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE ACTUALLY TRYING TO CHANGE THEIR CIRCUMSTANCESSE AD

ADVANCE IN LIFE. IT FEELS LIKE THE SYSTEM IS MORE PREPARED TO KEEP PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE THAN TO HELP PEOPLE WORKING TOWARDS A GOAL TO GET OUT OF THEIR SITUATION. I BELIEVE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS HAS

FAILED FAMILIES THROUGHOUT D.C. WITH. THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IN OFFICE AND THE COUNTRY GOING THROUGH A HOUSING CRISIS, IF I HAD RECEIVED HELP YEARS AGO, I WOULD NOT BE STANDING HERE TODAY

FIGHTING FOR MYSELF AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN FAILED AS WELL. STOP FAILING US. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY, MS. WATERS. TAMIESHA LAWRENCE. >> HI. I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T SEE YOU ALL. GOOD

MORNING, CHAIRPERSON. CHAIRPERSON FRUMIN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS TAMIESHA LAWRENCE. I'M A D.C. RESIDENT, A MOTHER, AND A PARENT SUPPORT AND TRANSITION THEIR SPECIALIST WITH A FEDERAL

INFORMATION CENTER. ONE QUESTION WE ASK FAMILIES IN INTAKE IS, IS YOUR HOUSING SECURE? WHEN FAMILIES REPORT HOMELESSNESS OR HOUSING INSTABILITY, I'M SORRY. OR HOUSING INSTABILITY, VIRGINIA WILLIAMS

HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE RESOURCES I CAN REFER THEM TO. MANY FAMILIES, MANY FAMILIES ARE ALSO NAVIGATING DISABILITIES AND COMPLICATED SYSTEMS. I NEVER IMAGINED I WOULD ONE DAY NEED THOSE SAME

SERVICES FOR MY OWN FAMILY. MY FAMILY OF SIX, WHICH INCLUDES SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS. WE STAYED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN HOTELS AND ALSO USED MY VEHICLE. I

SAW EMERGENCY SHELL-- SOUGHT EMERGENCY SHELTER ON JUNE 5 AND JULY 17 FROM VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. BOTH TIME I WAS DENIED. DURING MY FIRST VISIT, THE STAFF MEMBER REQUIRED ME TO SHOW THAT MY VEHICLE AND MY

PERSONAL BELONGINGS TO VERIFY THAT MY FAMILY HAS USED MY VEHICLE TO SLEEP. IT WAS HUMILIATING, AND INVASIVE. I COMPLIED BECAUSE MY CHILDREN NEEDED SOMEWHERE SAFE TO SLEEP. MY SECOND VISIT, AND FINAL

DENIAL OCCURRED ON JULY 17 DURING WHAT I UNDERSTOOD TO BE BE-- DURING WHAT WAS A CODE PURPLE EMERGENCY DUE TO AIR QUALITY FROM CANADA WILDFIRES. MY FAMILY HAD NOWHERE SAFE TO GO. I HAVE A SON WITH

SEVERE ASTHMA. OUR PREVIOUS LANDLORD CONFIRMED BY TELEPHONE THAT WE NO LONGER OCCUPIED THE PROPERTY AND OBTAINED ANOTHER LETTER ON LETTERHEAD WAS REQUESTED FROM HIM BECAUSE HE PROVIDED A LETTER THAT

WASN'T ON LETTERHEAD. JUST A REGULAR LETTER. IT WAS STILL DENIED. I HAD ALREADY CONTACTED THE WASHINGTON LEGAL CLINIC FOR THE HOMELESS. I WAS WALKED TO THE LOBBY. I WALKED TO THE LOBBY TO CALL THE

INTAKE LINE. WHILE I WAS ON HOLD, SECURITY APPROACHED ME AND EXPLAINED THAT MS. JAYNES HAD REPORTED THAT I REFUSED TO LEAVE. I HAD NEVER BEEN ASKED TO LEAVE. NOR HAD I REFUSED. I WAS SIMPLY TRYING TO

FIND HELP FOR MY FAMILY. WE WERE OUT OF OPTIONS. I WAS REPEATEDLY DIRECTED TO DCHA FOR ANOTHER HOUSING VOUCHER. BUT A VOACHER DOES NOT PROVIDE MY FAMILY WHERE SOMEWHERE TO SLEEP THAT NIGHT. I SPOKE

WITH SUPERVISORS WHO SUGGESTED ALSO THAT I GO PROVIDE-- GO TO DCHA TO PROVIDE PROOF THAT I'M NO LONGER OCCUPIED. DHS ULTIMATELY APPROVED MY SHELTER AND ALLOWED ME TO STAY THERE. MY CONCERN IS WHAT

HAPPENED BETWEEN THE DIFFERENCE OF THE 17TH AND THE 24TH. MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE HELPED GUIDE MY WAY. ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION WAS NOT MEANINGFULLY PROVIDED. MY FAMILY ULTIMATELY SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE

THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY AND SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE. MICHAEL CAMPELL. >> GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN. CAN YOU HEAR ME? CHAIR FRUMIN:

YUP. SURE CAN, THANK YOU. WHEN YOU ARE READY. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? CHAIR FRUMIN: YEAH. SURE CAN. WHENEVER YOU ARE READY. >> GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN. MY NAME IS MIKE CAMPELL. I AM SECRETARY FOR D.C.

FOR DEMOCRACY. I STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE FAIR BUDGET COALITION AND ITS FIGHT FOR HOUSING JUSTICE. BUT TODAY I'M NOT JUST COMING AS AN ORGANIZER OR TO NAVIGATE. I'M COMING AS THAT LITTLE BOY WHO

ONCE NEEDED A SHELTER FOR HIMSELF. GROWING UP, MY MOTHER STRUGGLED WITH DRUG ADDICTION. I EXPERIENCED GOING SHELTER TO SHELTER, NOT KNOWING WHERE WE WOULD LAY OUR HEADS NEXT. I REMEMBER THE

UNCERTAINTY, THE INSTABILITY, AND THE FEELING OF HAVING ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL WHOEVER WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING. A CHILD DOESN'T CHOOSE ADDICTION. A CHILD DOESN'T CHOOSE POVERTY.

AND A CHILD SURE DOESN'T CHOOSE HOMELESSNESS. YET SOMEHOW CHILDREN KEEP PAYING THE PRICE. ACCORDING TO D.C.'S OWN DHS, IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, 1,099 FAMILIES, 30% OF THOSE APPLYING FOR SHELTER AT

VIRGINIA WILLIAMS WERE DENIED. FISCAL YEAR 2026 DATA, REPORTED THAT DENIAL RATE HAD CLIMBED TO 55%. NOW, I'M NOT SAYING THAT EVERY DENIAL WAS UNLAWFUL. BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT THOSE NUMBERS DEMAND

ANSWERS. BECAUSE BEHIND EVERY APPLICATION IS A FAMILY. BEHIND EVERY FAMILY IS A CHILD. BEHIND EVERY CHILD IS A FUTURE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT. D.C. LAW ALREADY SAYS THAT

FAMILIES CAN NOT BE DENIED SERVICES SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT IMMEDIATELY PRODUCE PROOF OF HOMELESSNESS OR RESIDENCY. SO WHY-- MY QUESTION IS SIMPLE. ARE WE ENFORCING THE PROTECTIONS THAT IS ALREADY

ON THE BOOKS? THE FAIR BUDGET COALITION HAS CONSISTENTLY CALLED FOR INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING SECURI SECURITY, FIELD BARRIERS AND STRONGER SHELTER SERVICES. I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL FOR A FEW THINGS.

FIRST, CAN WE DEMAND TRANSPARENT REPORTING ON THESE DENIALS? WHEN IT COMES TO THE REASONS AND OUTCOMES OF APPEALS. ALSO, CAN WE ENSURE FAMILIES HAVE MEANINGFUL ACCESS TO EMERGENCY PLACEMENT, LEGAL

ASSISTANCE, AND FAIR ELIGIBILITY REVIEWS? LASTLY, CAN WE INVEST MORE IN PERMANENT HOUSING AND PREVENTION AS WELL AS SERVICES THAT ADDRESS TRAUMA, ADDICTION, AND POVERTY. HOMELESSNESS AIN'T JUST ABOUT

NOT HAVING A ROOF. IT IS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO A CHILD'S SPIRIT WHEN STABILITY BECOMES A STRANGER. I WAS THAT CHILD. AND TODAY I STAND THERE AS PROOF THAT CIRCUMSTANCES DON'T HAVE TO DETERMINE

DESTINY. WE CANNOT KEEP BALANCING BUCKETS ON THE BACKS OF BROKEN FAMILIES. A BUDGET IS A MORAL DOCUMENT. THANK YOU. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TESTIMONY, MR. CAMPELL. NEXT, WILL BE

KEISHA BRISCOE WHO I BELIEVE HAS JOINED US BY TELEPHONE, AND THEN WE WILL CIRCLE BACK TO DINAHETTA LEWIS, IF SHE IS AVAILABLE. SO FIRST, KEISHA BRISCOE? >> YES. GOOD AFTERNOON TO THE D.C. COUNCIL,

COMMITTEE AND MY NAME IS KEISHA BRISCOE. I'M A D.C. RESIDENT. I HAVE GIVEN MY TESTIMONY TODAY TO BRING AWARENESS AND LIGHT TO THE DARK ASPECTS OF MY ACCOUNTING OF VIRGINIA WILLIAMS RESOURCE CENTER. I

WENT TO SEEK SHELTER FOR MYSELF AND MY SON. THE CASE WORKER FOR ME THAT DA DAY, I EXPLAINED MY SITUATION ABOUT MY LIVING SITUATION, OF LIVING WITH MY MOTHER ON HER SECTION 8 VOUCHER AND ME AND MY SON

WAS ON THE VOUCHER. THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT WASN'T EMOTIONALLY, MENTALLY, OR PHYSICALLY STABLE. I NO LONGER WANTED MYSELF OR MY SON TO BE IN THAT ENVIRONMENT. I HAD NOWHERE TO GO. AND TO ONE TO STAY OR

LIVE WITH. I INFORMED HER I HAD A SELF-DECLARATION FROM THE D.C. HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE FREDERICK DOUGLAS LOCATION. I FILLED OUT-- THEY KEPT A COPY TO BRING TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS THAT DAY TO SHOW THEM

AND PROVIDE THEM SO THEY COULD PROCESS MOVING ME AND MY SON FROM THE SECTION 8 VOUCHER WITH MY MOTHER. BECAUSE SHE HAD TO DO THE PAPERWORK, I COULDN'T. MS. WHIT HIGHER STILL DENIED ME. SHE DIDN'T WANT

TO SEE THE FORM, SAID IT WASN'T USEFUL, AND I STILL WASN'T ELIGIBLE. I HAD A SAFE PLACE TO STAY AND A NIGHTLY SHELTER AND I CHOSE TO SHARE MY STORY TODAY TO HELP FEED THE CHANGE THAT THIS ORGANIZATION

NEEDS AND IT IS TIME FOR THERE TO BE CHANGE. I WAS ABLE TO GET HELP THROUGH THE WASHINGTON LEGAL CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS ON APRIL 1, 2026, BUT WH THAT WAS SHORT-LIVED. AFTER ENDURING ANOTHER INTAKE

WITH VIRGINIA WILLIAMS AND PROVIDING THE DOCUMENTATION OF MY SITUATION, SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS TO D.C. HOUSING AUTHORITY TO SHOW THEM AND MY SON BEING REMOVED OFF THE VOUCHER, THEY STILL DENIED ME. I'M

SORRY. STILL DENIED ME FROM STAYING IN THE SHELTER. AND I HAD TO LEAVE THE SHELTER ON APRIL 13, 2026. HELLO? CHAIR FRUMIN: MS. BRISCOE. HAVE YOU FINISHED? >> YES. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. WONDERFUL. THANK

YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY, AND I'M VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES. DINAHETTA LEWIS? >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M DINAHETTA LEWIS. >> WHEN YOU ARE READY. >> COUNCILMEN, CHAIRMAN, I'M-- MY FAMILY'S

EXPERIENCE WITH THE DISTRICT'S HOMELESSNESS SERVICES SYSTEM WAS TRAUMATIC FROM BEGINNING TO END. I WANT THE COUNCIL TO UNDERSTAND THAT OUR EXPERIENCE WAS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT BEING HOMELESS. IT WAS ABOUT

HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO ACCESS THE HELP WE NEEDED. EVEN WHEN I PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION OF MY FAMILY'S CIRCUMSTANCES, DISABILITY, INCOME, EVICTION, AND MY CHILD'S NEEDS. MY CHILDREN'S NEEDS. OUR

EXPERIENCE BEGAN WITH THE INTAKE PROCESS AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, THE LARGER ISSUE, HOWEVER, IS THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF RED TAPE INVOLVED IN ACCESSING SUPPORT THROUGH VIRGINIA WILLIAMS IN THE HOMELESS

SYSTEM. FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, THAT BUREAUCRACY COMES AT A TIME WHERE WE ARE ALREADY OVERWHELMED BY FEAR, INSTABILITY, UNCERTAINTY, AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN.

AS IF FACING HOMELESSNESS WASN'T ALREADY ENOUGH. AS A MOTHER, I ALSO CARRY THE EMOTION BURDEN OF FEELING AS THOUGH I FAILED MY CHILDREN BECAUSE WE WERE HOMELESS. THE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS

SHOULD NOT BE A ONE-SIZE FIT ALL. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN. ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS AND I ARE DISABLED. DURING THE INTAKE PROCESS, I PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE

EVICTION LETTER, DOCUMENTATION ABILITY DISABILITY, AND MY LETTER FROM MY DAUGHTER'S PEDIATRICIAN OUTLINING MY DAUGHTER'S DISABILITY AND EXPLAINING THAT SHE SELF-HARMS AT THE AGE OF NINE. HER

PEDIATRICIAN SPECIFICALLY WARNED THAT PLACING OUR FAMILY IN A SHELTER COULD EXACERBATE HER SELF-HARMING SYMPTOMS. I COMMUNICATED THESE CONCERNS BEFORE MY FAMILY TO THE SHELTER: I DID NOT FEEL LIKE

THAT THOSE WARNINGS WERE ADEQUATELY ACTED UPON. MY FAMILY WAS IN NEED OF HOUSING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. INSTEAD OF THE HOUSING ASSISTANCE WE NEEDED, HOWEVER, THE PROCESS CONTINUED TO SEND US IN A

DIFFERENT DIRECTION. WE WERE THEN REFERRED TO THE HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM HPP, THE DELAY IN ADDITIONAL STEPS MADE AN ALREADY DESPERATE SITUATION EVEN MORE DIFFICULT. WHILE EXPLORING HOUSES OPTION

THROUGH HPP, THE CONSISTENT MESSAGES I RECEIVED WAS ESSENTIALLY GET A JOB, SHELTER IS NOT AN OPTION FOR YOU. DESPITE MY FAMILY'S COMPLEX NEEDS AND DISABILITY, I DID NOT FEEL THAT REASONABLE

ACCOMMODATIONS WERE BEING MADE FOR EITHER ME OR MY CHILD. I ALSO FELT PRESSURE TO CONSIDER LEAVING THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. HPP OFFERED ASSISTANCE WITH RENT FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS IF I MOVED AWAY TO

ANOTHER STATE. I ASKED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF AFTER THOSE SIX MONTHS? I WAS TOLD I COULD NOT COME BACK TO D.C. I EXPLAINED THAT MY DAUGHTER IS A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND LEAVING D.C. COULD MEAN

LOSING ACCESS TO BENEFITS, SERVICE, EDUCATION, MEDICAL CARE, AND OTHER SUPPORT THAT SHE RELIES ON. WHEN LEAVING THE DISTRICT WAS NOT AN OPTION, I WAS REPEATEDLY TOLD I NEED TO GET A JOB IN ORDER TO

ATTAIN HOUSING. I EXPLAINED THAT RECEIVING SSI FOR MY DAUGHTER AND ALSO APPLYING FOR SSI FOR MYSELF, AND I'M ALSO IN THE PROGRAM THAT EXEMPTS ME FROM WORKING DUE TO MY DISABILITY. WITHOUT FAIL, I WAS

TOLD THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH INCOME FOR HOUSING FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN. AND THEY REPEATEDLY ASKED WHO COULD I STAY WITH AND WHERE CAN I GO? FACING SOMEONE WHO CAN TAKE IN A FAMILY OF FOUR,

INCLUDING A CHILD WITH SIGNIFICANT OR UNIQUE NEEDS IS NOT SIMPLE. BUT IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, IF I HAD SOMEONE TO LIVE WITH, WHY WOULD I BE HERE SEEKING SERVICES? MY FAMILY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY

PROVED THAT IT WAS IN CRISIS BEFORE RECEIVING SERVICES. DOCUMENTATION OF A DISABILITY, ADDICTION, FAMILY SITUATION SHOULDN'T MATTER. I AM NOT ASKING FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT. I'M JUST ASKING FOR A

PROCESS THAT RECOGNIZES THAT FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ARE NOT ALL THE SAME. A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A DISABLED CHILD MA MAY HAVE DIFFERENT NEES FROM OTHER PARENTS. THANK YOU. THESE ARE REAL

LIVES AND CHILDREN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. CHARISSE LUE. WHEN YOU ARE READY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M CHARISSE LUE, AN ATTORNEY WITH THE

WASHINGTON FOR THE HOMELESS. FOR YEARS, WE HAVE PROVIDED DAILY ADVOCACY AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION WHEN THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER CREATES BARRIERS TO FAMILY SHELTER ACCESS OR ISSUES

ON UNLAWFUL SHELTER DENIAL. UNFORTUNATELY, D.C. RESIDENTS ARE SUBJECT TO VIRGINIA BILLS YAMS' UNFAIR, UNLAWFUL, AND ARBITRARY PRACTICE THAT IS EFFECTIVELY BAR ACCESS TO SHELTER FOR THE MAJORITY OF

APPLICANTS. VIRGINIA WILLIAMS PROPOSE OVERBURDENSOME STANDARDS. TO DENY FAMILY ANALLY DANCE. THE THE HS CRA THAT A FAMILY SHOULD ONLY-- HOWEVER, IT HAS BECOME THE STANDARD PRACTICE TO REQUEST AN

APPLICANT PROVIDE A LETTER FROM A FORMER LANDLORD THEY ARE NO LONGER LEASED WITH OR A COPY OF A FRIEND'S LEASE THEY WERE NEVER A PARTY TO. THEY MANUFACTURED REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT TETHERED TO THE LAW OR

THE REALITY OF HOMELESSNESS. THESE IMPOSSIBLE FEATS BAR ACCESS TO THE MOST BASIC HUMAN NEED, SHELTER. THE HSRA PROTECTS APPLICANTS FROM BEING DEEMED INELIGIBLE SOLELY BECAUSE THE FAMILY CANNOT PRODUCE

PROOF OF D.C. RESIDENCY AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION. IT ALSO CLEARLY INDICATES THAT IT IS DHS'S BURDEN TO DEMONSTRATE BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE APPLICANT IS NOT A D.C. RESIDENT IF THE

APPLICANT DOES NOT HAVE IMMEDIATE PROOF. ADDITIONALLY, D.C. PROTECTS RESIDENTS FROM HAVING TO CONTINUE OCCUPYING UNITS THAT ARE A THREAT TO LIFE, HEALTH, AND SAFETY AND IT STARTS-- STATES THAT IT MAY

OR MAY NOT DENY SERVICES TO THE FAMILY. THE HSRA ALSO SPECIFICALLY PERMITS INTERIM EL JIBLGHT WHEN ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS CANNOT BE CONFIRMED IMMEDIATELY. DESPITE THE EXISTING LAW, DHS REGULARLY

REFUSES TO ADHERE IT TO. INSTEAD, DHS IMPLEMENTS ITS OWN STANDARDS, REQUIRING EXCESSIVE AND UNNECESSARY DOCUMENTATION THAT GUARANTEES BARRIERS TO FAMILY SHELTER ACCESS. THEN WHEN DHS DENIES THE

FAMILY'S SHELTER PLACEMENT, IT FAILS TO ISSUE DENIAL NOTICES THAT LIST THE REASONS FOR THE DENIAL AS REQUIRED BY THE HSRA. WE HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, DHS REQUIRING THAT AN

APPLICANT PRODUCE DOCUMENTATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS, THAT THE UNIT IS UNFIT WHICH COULD TAKE DAYS OR WEEKS TO PRODUCE WHEN SHELTER, BY ITS VERY NATURE, IS AN IMMEDIATE NEED. DHS REFUSED

TO ACCEPT VIDEOS OR-- OF UNFIT CONDITIONS AND REP FUSED BEFORE OUR INTERVENTION TO OFFER INTERIM ELIGIBILITY. DHS MUST HAVE FAIR, CONSISTENT, AND LAWFUL SHELTER APPLICANT ASSESSMENT TOOLS THAT ALIGN

WITH THE HSRA. DHS REQUIRES THE NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS OF NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS BEFORE AN AIM SESSMENT IS EVEN CONDUCTED. ONCE PROVIDED, STAFF CALLS TO REQUEST THAT THE CONTACTS ALLOW THE FAMILY TO

STAY WITH THEM. THAT HUMILIATE PROGRESS SESS DOES NOT NEED MEET ANY REQUIREMENT LISTED IN THE HSRA. THIS RESULTS IN FURTHER TRAUMATIZING THE FAMILY. SOME REPORT STAFFER VERIFYING THAT THE FAMILY HAD

BEEN LIVING IN THEIR CAR BY EXAMINING THE APPLICANT'S CAR. IT IS NOT HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHY DHS REMAINS TO HAVE A 75% DENIAL RATE. I'M GOING TO UPLIFT ONE OF THE MANY CLIENT STORIES THAT WE HAVE. THE

CLIENT WAS A SINGLE MOM WITH TWO TODDLER-AGED CHILDREN. THE WHOLE FAMILY HAD BEEN ON HER MOTHER'S VOUCHER. THE CLIENT'S MOTHER WHO HAD DRUGS AND STRANGERS IN THE HOUSE HAD LOCKED ALL THREE OF THEM OUT

WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT GIVING THEM ACCESS TO THEIR BELONGINGS. SHE ALSO BLOCKED THE CLIENT'S PHONE AND TOOK THEIR KEYS. THEY COULDN'T ACCESS THE PROPERTY AT ALL. THE CLIENT APPLIED RIGHT AWAY AT

VIRGINIA WILLIAMS AND EXPLAINED THE CIRCUMSTANCES. THEY TURNED HER AWAY BECAUSE THE SYSTEM SHOWED THAT THE FAMILY WAS ON THE MOTHER'S VOUCHER. AFTER SLEEPING WITH HER TODDLERS IN A CAR FOR A FEW DAYS,

SHE CALLED THE WASHINGTON LEGAL CLINIC. STAFF'S RESPONSE TO OUR INITIAL EMAIL WHERE WE LAID OUT ALL THE FACTS, WAS THAT SHE WAS STILL ON THE MO-- THE CHILDREN WERE STILL ON THE MOTHER'S VOUCHER. HER

TWO YOUNG CHILDREN SHOULD GO TO LOW BARRIER SHELTER. TECHNICALLY, HER MOTHER HADN'T REMOVED THE TWO YOUNG TODDLERS FROM THE VOUCHER. WHICH COULD TAKE WEEKS. HAD WE NOT BEEN INVOLVED, I'M QUITE SURE

THE FAMILY WOULD HAVE ENDED UP IN A FO MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE WASHINGTON LEGAL CLINIC FOR THE HOMELESS, THEREFORE, MAKES THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL. THE COUNCIL SHOULD AMEND THE

HOMELESS SERVICES REFORM ACT TO REQUIRE A LOW BARRIER AND THE HEALTH AMENDMENT ACT OF 2024. IMPLEMENT CONSISTENT AND STANDARDIZED STAFF TAKE SO THAT FAMILIES ARE NOT-- ARE ROUTINELY, ARBITRARILY, AND

UNLAWFULLY DENIED SHELTER PLACEMENTS OR REFUSED WRITTEN SHELTER DENIAL NOTICES. INCREASED REPORTING AND DATA ON ACCESS, ELIGIBILITY AND DENIALS TO D.C. SHELTER SERVICES AND REQUIRE THAT DHS TO PERMIT

LEGAL SERVICES, OUTREACH AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER. THANK YOU. CHAIR FRUMIN: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE ON THIS PANEL FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. AMONG

THE THINGS, AND WE WILL TURN TO THE GOVERNMENT WITNESSES-- WITNESS SHORTLY. THE THEME ABOUT THE CHALLENGES IN THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SETTING COMES ACROSS LOUD AND CLEAR. THE CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY ON

THINGS LIKE A DASHBOARD, THINGS LIKE WRITTEN DENIALS THAT STATE THE GROUNDS. ALSO, RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING AND A REVIEW OF THE SCRIPTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING

AT THE DELICACY OF THE SITUATION, ALSO IMPORTANT. AND I'M GOING TO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INTERPLAY OF THE REGULATIONS AND THE PRACTICE ONCE WE START WITH OUR GOVERNMENT WITNESSES. BUT THANK YOU TO

ALL OF THOSE WHO TESTIFIED, ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE COME FORWARD AND TOLD THEIR OWN PERSONAL DIFFICULT STORIES AND THOSE WHO ARE IN THE ADVOCACY COMMUNITY BRINGING FORWARD THEIR FRONT LINE EXPERIENCE.

SO THANK YOU. WITH THAT, I'M TOLD WE HAVE ONE LAST WITNESS WHO HAS JOINED US. BRIT RUFFIN, IF YOU ARE THERE AND WANT TO PROVIDE YOUR TESTIMONY. I SEE-- OH, THERE YOU GO. YOU ARE OFF MUTE. IF YOU WANT

TO PUT YOUR CAMERA ON. WHENEVER YOU ARE READY. >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M BRIT RUFFIN WITH THE WASHINGTON LEGAL CLINIC FOR THE HOMELESS. I AM TESTIFYING MAINLY TO SHARE A FEW OF OUR CLIENT

STORIES. I ALSO JUST WANT TO REITERATE SOME OF THE TESTIMONY THAT WAS GIVEN EARLIER TODAY, PARTICULARLY AROUND HPP, WE KNOW THAT HPP, ALONG WITH THE ISSUES, THE ISSUES OF THE LACK OF USE OF INTERIM

ELIGIBILITY, DHS, BOTH OF ITS PREVENTION AND DIVERSION MODEL INCLUDING HPP, HOWEVER, THE DIVERSION PROGRAMS ARE FUNCTIONING AS CONSTRUCTIVE DENIALS. THERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY AROUND HOW THE PROGRAM

OPERATES, HOW APPLICANTS ARE REFERRED AND HOW IT ACTUALLY PROVIDES THE REQUESTED ASSISTANCE. IN DHS'S RESPONSES FOR THIS HEARING, THEY INDICATED THAT HPP REFERRALS ARE NOT SHELTER DENIALS, AND WE

EMPHATICALLY DISAGREE WITH THAT ASSERTION. FAMILY SHELTER APPLICANTS ARE DENIED SHELTER. THEY APPLY FOR SHELTER. THEY ARE DENIED SHELTER WITHOUT A NOTICE OF DENIAL AND REFERRED TO OTHER DHS PERSONNEL.

IT REMAINS UNCLEAR HOW AN APPLICANT FAMILY IS DETERMINED TO BE SUITABLE FOR HPP INSTEAD OF THE IMMEDIATE SHELTER PLACEMENT THEY REQUESTED. A SHELTER APPLICANT CANNOT REFUSE HPP IN FAVOR OF THEIR

SHELTER PLACEMENT THAT THEY APPLIED FOR. WE OFTEN ENCOUNTER HPP REFERRED APPLICANTS THAT ARE STILL LEFT WITHOUT THE SAFE SHELTER AT THE END OF THAT DAY IN WHICH THEY APPLIED. WE HAVE HAD REPORTS OF

CLIENTS WHO ARE REFERRED TO HPP AND THEN ARE TOLD OH, IN A FEW WEEKS OR SO, YOU CAN CONTACT YOU, WE MIGHT HAVE A PLACEMENT FOR YOU. WE HAVE HAD HPP REFERRED APPLICANTS THAT REPORT REQUESTING UP TO

NINE CONTACTS SO THAT DHS CAN ASK WHETHER THEY CAN STAY WITH THEM. AND THAT BRINGS US TO A BIGGER ISSUE ABOUT PROVING HOMELESSNESS. WE HAVE SEEN VIRGINIA WILLIAMS REGULARLY DISREGARDING THE OFTEN

FRAYED FAMILIAR RELATIONSHIPS THAT SOME OF THE APPLICANTS HAVE AND DISREGARD THE FACT OF THE ACTUAL EXPERIENCES THAT APPLICANTS ARE TELLING THEM THAT THEY ARE HAVING. THE EXPERIENCES OF NOT HAVING

CLOSE FAMILIAR RELATIONSHIPS OR FRIENDSHIPS THEY CAN RELY ON. OF HAVING FORMERLY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS, THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE DO NOT WANT TO RETURN TO THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES OR

HAVING SITUATIONS IN WHICH FAMILY MEMBERS ARE NOT EVEN AWARE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP, BUT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS WILL CALL THAT FAMILY AND NOT ONLY ALERTING THEM TO

SITUATIONS THAT THE FAMILY DIDN'T WANT THEM TO KNOW, BUT THEN ASKING IF THEY CAN STAY. DISREGARDING THE FACT THAT MANY FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WOULD ALSO HAVE LEASE VIOLATIONS AND RISK THEIR OWN

HOUSING STABILITY BY ALLOWING PEOPLE TO STAY WITH THEM NOT ON THEIR LEASE. APPLICANTS REPORT THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE IN SITUATIONS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS THAT MAY HAVE ALLOWED THEM TO STAY AT

SOME POINT IN TIME. THEY DETAIL VERBAL ABUSE FROM FAMILY MEMBERS OR UNSAFE ENVIRONMENTS IN COM THEY DON'T WANT TO SUBJECT THEIR CHILDREN. VIRGINIA WILLIAMS WILL ATTEMPT TO PERSUADE CONTACTS. OR THAT

THE PARENT SIMPLY DOES NOT FEEL SAFE OR COMFORTABLE STAYING THERE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS IN OUR WRITTEN TESTIMONY THE LANGUAGE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE CONTINUED TO SEE. OF COURSE, THERE IS NO OMS

OPERATING ANY LONGER. HOWEVER, WE CONTINUE AND HAVE SEEN SITUATIONS WHERE NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS WILL BE TURNED AWAY FROM VIRGINIA WILLIAMS AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT ANY ASSESSMENT. I WANTED TO SHARE AN

EXAMPLE. I ALSO WANT TO NOTE THAT WE HAVE SEVERAL CLIENTS WHO HAVE ALL THESE SIMILAR STORIES TO TELL. HOWEVER, SOME ARE AFRAID TO TELL THEIR STORIES OR AFRAID OF POTENTIAL RETALIATION IF THEY ARE

CURRENTLY OPERATING WITH SERVICES RIGHT NOW, AND I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT FACT. ONE MORE RECENT STORY WE HAVE EVEN WITH HPP. A LEGAL CLINIC ASSISTED A FAMILY PLACED IN AN HPP PROGRAM. THEY WERE

WORKING WITH THE PROVIDER. AND THE PROVIDER, WHEN SHE KEPT REQUESTING THAT SHE NEEDED SOMEWHERE TO STAY, THE PROVIDER TOLD HER THEY WOULD REQUEST IT, BUT IT WOULD TAKE TIME AND THERE WERE NO OPENINGS

IN FAMILY SHELTER. THE CASE WORKER TOLD HER TO CALL 311 FOR HELP. THAT IS NOT THE PROTOCOL AND SHOULDN'T BE THE PROTOCOL. AND WHEN A FAMILY OR EITHER AN ATTORNEY OR SOMEBODY ADVOCATING FOR THE FAMILY

ATTEMPTS TO FIND OUT WHO TO SPEAK TO WITH HPP, IT IS A RUN-AROUND PROCESS. IT IS FRUSTRATING TO TRY TO GET TO WHO ACTUALLY THERE IS TO TALK TO. AND IT IS JUST UNCLEAR HOW THE PROGRAM IS OPERATING.

THAT FAMILY COULD NOT GET THE-- THE PROVIDER REFUSED TO REFER THE FAMILY BACK TO HPP. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE FAMILY PLACED EVENTUALLY. THEY WERE UNABLE TO NAVIGATE THAT PROCESS ON THEIR OWN.

ADDITIONALLY, LEGAL CLINIC ASSISTED A FAMILY WHO WAS EVICTED AND APPLIED FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER. SHE DIDN'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO GO. WHEN SHE APPLIED FOR SHELTER, SHE WAS TOLD TO LIST SIX PEOPLE WHERE

SHE COULD STAY. SHE TOLD THEM SHE DIDN'T HAVE SIX PEOPLE. THE STAFF TOLD HER SHE WOULD BE DENIED BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T LIST SIX PEOPLE. THEY ENCOURAGED HER TO FINISH THE APPLICATION. WHEN SHE DIDN'T

HAVE SIX PEOPLE, SHE WAS TOLD SHE COULDN'T FINISH THE APPLICATION. AND TO COME BACK THE NEXT DAY. SO THESE ARE CONSTANT INSTANCES WHERE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO REQUEST SHELTER. ADDITIONALLY, YOU KNOW, WE

WILL TALK ABOUT MORE IN OUR WRITTEN TESTIMONY AS WELL ABOUT THE ISSUE OF TRANSPARENCY AROUND THE PROCESS FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE NAVIGATING CUSTODY AGREEMENTS AND DON'T HAVE THEIR CHILDREN 24-7, BUT HAVE

SPLIT CUSTODY AGREEMENTS. THAT IS SEEMINGLY A REALLY STRANGE THING TO NAVIGATE OFTEN AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. AND WE ARE UNCLEAR OF WHY IT IS SO DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETIMES PARENTS SHARE

CUSTODY AND BECAUSE OF A PARENT HAS THE CHILDREN NOT 100%, DOES NOT MEAN THEY SHOULD NOT BE AFFORDED SHELTER FOR THEIR CHILDREN. WE HAVE SEEN DISKREP AN DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN WHEN PROTHEY ARES PRESENT

WITH THEIR CHILDREN FOR SHELTER AND FATHERS PRESENT FOR SHELTER. THAT SHOULD BE EXAMINED AS WELL. TO WHAT CHARISSE JUST SAID, TO SUMMARY UP-- TO SUM IT UP AGAIN, INCLUDING REINTRODUCTION, PASSAGING

AND FUNDING. THE MATERNAL HEALTH AMENDMENT ACT OF 2024. IMPLEMENT STAFF TRAINING SO THE FAMILIES ARE NOT UNLAWFULLY DENIED SHELTER PLACEMENTS OR REFUSED SHELTER DENIAL NOTICE. INCREASE REPORTING ON

ELIGIBILITY AND DENIALS TO D.C. SHELTER SERVICES AND REQUIRE DHS TO SUBMIT OUTREACH AT THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS RESOURCE CENTER. THANK YOU. CHAIR FRUMIN: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR

TESTIMONY. YOU PROVIDED A PRETTY THOROUGH OVERVIEW, AS WE MOVE INTO OUR GOVERNMENT WITNESSES. SO I NOW AM GOING TO TURN TO OUR GOVERNMENT WITNESS. WE WILL NOW BE JOINED BY RACHEL PIERRE, DIRECTOR OF

THE DEPARTMENT ON HUMAN SERVICES. DIRECTOR PIERRE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT THE TABLE IN FRONT OF ME. IT IS THE PRACTICE OF THIS COMMITTEE TO PLACE OUR GOVERNMENT WITNESSES UNDER OAT OATH. DIRECTOR

PIERRE, IF YOU COULD PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM UNDER PENALTY OF LAW THAT THE TESTIMONY YOU ARE ABOUT TO PROVIDE TO THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES IS THE TRUTH, IF WHOLE

TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH? >> I DO. > CHAIR FRUMIN: WONDERFUL. THANK YOU. YOU MAY BEGIN YOUR TESTIMONY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. CHAIRPERSON FRUMIN, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. I AM RACHEL PEER

PIERRE. I SERVE AS DIRECTOR OF THE D.C. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY ON THE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS AT THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FAM LIMB RESOURCE

CENTER. IN OUR ONGOING WORK TO SUPPORT FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY, VIRGINIA WILLIAMS SERVES AS THE DISTRICT'S CENTRAL INTAKE CENTER FOR FAMILIES SEEKING ASSISTANCE DURING HOUSING

CRISIS. THE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION AND INTAKE PROCESS ARE EXTENSIVE AND TIME-SENSITIVE. EVERY DECISION REQUIRES CAREFUL JUDGMENT, AND OUR FRONT LINE STAFF FOLLOW PRINCIPLED AND CONSISTENT STANDARDS

THAT ENSURE FAMILIES ARE TREATED WITH COMPASSION, FAIRNESS, AN AND-- FAMILIES ARRIVE WITH DIVERSE NEEDS UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. OUR TEAM DRAWS ON YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TO

ASSESS EACH FAMILY'S NEEDS AND PROVIDE RESOURCES TO ENSURE SAFE AND STABLE OUTCOME. TODAY'S ROUNDTABLE PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER INSIGHT INTO CRITICAL DETERMINATIONS THAT CAN SHAPE A

FAMILY'S FUTURE. IN FISCAL YEAR '26, NEARLY 4,672 ASSESSMENTS FOR HOMELESS SERVICES WERE COMPLETED AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS ARE GROUNDED IN EXTENSIVE STAFF TRAINING, CLEAR

PROCEDURES, AND ONGOING COLLABORATION ACROSS DHS. IMPORTANTLY, STAFF DO NOT MAKE DECISIONS IN ISOLATION. THEY ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO PRODUCE SOLUTION THAT IS STABILIZE FAMILIES.

I WANT TO BRIEFLY OUTLINE HOW ELIGIBILITY FOR FAMILY HOMELESS SERVICES IS DETERMINED AT THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. FIRST, WE FOLLOW CRITERIA ESTABLISHED UNDER THE HOMELESS SERVICES REFORM ACT KNOWN AS

HSRA. TO CALL FILL FOR SERVICES, A HOUSEHOLD MUST MEET THREE CRITERIA. THEY MUST BE DISTRICT RESIDENTS. THEY MUST MEET THE STATUTORY DEFINITION OF A FAMILY. AND BE HOMELESS OR AT IMMINENT RISK OF

HOMELESSNESS. THE DEFINITION OF A FAMILY INCLUDES A CHILD OR DEPENDENT. AN INDIVIDUAL IN THIRD TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY. AND PEOPLE WHO REASONABLY PRESENT THEMSELVES AS A FAMILY UNIT. RESIDENCY IS

VERIFIED THROUGH FORMAL DOCUMENTS SUCH AS D.C. IDENTIFICATION, LEASES, OR SCHOOL RECORDS. AND WHEN FORMAL DOCUMENTS ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE WHICH IS COMMON IN A CRISIS, STAFF MAY RELY ON

NARRATIVE STATEMENTS, COLLATERAL CONTACTS, AND CHECKS ACROSS D.C. SYSTEMS. THESE FLEXIBLE PRACTICES ENSURE WE CAN RESPONSIBLY VERIFY RESIDENCY WHILE STILL SERVING FAMILIES. FAMILIES SEEKING SEVERE

WEATHER SHELTER-- I'M SORRY. FAMILIES SEEKING SEVERE WEATHER SHELTER HAVE A THREE-DAY GRACE PERIOD TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION. DURING INTAKE, FAMILIES COMPLETE AN ANCATION COMPLETE AN APPLICATION, BASED

ON THIS REVIEW, FAMILIES ARE EITHER DETERMINED ELIGIBLE FOR HOMELESS SERVICES OR CONNECTED TO PREVENTION SUPPORTS SUCH AS RENTAL ASSISTANCE, UTILITY HELP, OR CHILD CARE RESOURCES. IN SHORT, THE

PROCESS IS DESIGNED TO BALANCE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION WITH TIMELY AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SERVICES. WHEN A FAMILY IS DETERMINED TO BE INELIGIBLE IN A DISTRICT, WE HELP CONNECT THEM BACK TO

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. OUR GOAL IS SIMPLE. WE DO NOT WANT ANY FAMILIES TO EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS. SHELTER IS CONSIDERED THE LAST OPTION. PARTICULARLY FOR ADULTS CARING FOR

CHILDREN. THROUGH SUSTAINED INVESTMENT AND EFFORTS, THE DISTRICT HAS REDUCED FAMILY HOMELESSNESS BY 55% SINCE 2015. DEMONSTRATING WHAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN HOMELESS PREVENTION, SHELTER DIVERSION, AND

HOUSING STABILITIES ARE PRIORITIZED. F IT IS WORTH NOTING HOW A SYSTEM HAS EVOLVED. IN PRIOR YEARS, SHORTER FAMILY HOUSING AND THE STABILIZATION PROGRAM WERE VIEWED AS A DIRECT PATHWAY TO PERMANENT

HOUSING. TODAY OUR SYSTEM IS DESIGNED DIFFERENTLY TO HELP FAMILIES AVOID ENTERING SHELTER WHENEVER POSSIBLE. A STRATEGIC PLAN TO END LONG-TERM HOMELESSNESS IN THE DISTRICT REFLECTS THIS BROADER

PREVENTION AND DIVERSION APPROACH THAT FOCUSES ON HELPING FAMILIES BUILD SUSTAINABLE HOUSING PLANS OUTSIDE OF SHELTER. NEVERTHELESS, THE DISTRICT WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND SHELTER FOR

FAMILIES WHO NEED IT. NOT ALL HOUSEHOLDS COME TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS SEEKING HOMELESS SERVICES. MANY ALSO USE IT AS A HUB FOR OTHER ASSISTANCE. THAT SAID, THE HOMELESS PREVENTION AND DIVERSION PROGRAMS

PROVIDED AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS REMAIN CENTRAL STRATEGIES FOR STABILIZING FAMILIES AND GUIDING THEM TOWARDS PERMANENT HOUSING. PROGRAMS INCLUDING PROJECT RECONNECT AND EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE

PROGRAM ERAP HAVE REDUCED THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES ENTER SHELTER IN FISCAL YEAR '26. THE HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM IS ANOTHER CRITICAL TOOL. HPP PROVIDERS WORK DIRECTLY WITH FAMILIES TO STRENGTHEN

NATURAL SUPPORT NETWORKS, MINIMIZE DISRUPTION, AND PREVENT SHELTER ENTRY WHENEVER POSSIBLE. FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISPLACED, HPP OFFERS DIVERSION SERVICES THAT HELP SECURE TEMPORARY, SAFE

ALTERNATIVES TO SHELTER WHILE RECEIVING SUPPORT THAT LEAD TO LONG-TERM STABILITY AND PERMANENT HOUSING. PROVIDERS ALSO FACILITATE MEDIATION BETWEEN FAMILIES, LANDLORDS, AND HOSTS TO HELP RESOLVE

CONFLICTS THAT COULD OTHERWISE RESULT IN HOMELESSNESS. DHS USES DHS USES HPP STRATEGICALLY TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE OUTCOMES RATHER THAN SHORT-TERM RELIEF. OF THE 2590 FAMILY SERVES IN 2026, A MAJORITY

REMAIN SAFELY HOUSED. A SMALL SHARE 66 FAMILIES OR 2.5% SEEK SHELTER PLACEMENTS. EVIDENCE THAT PREVENTION AND DIVERSION NOT ONLY WORK BUT PROVIDE DURABLE STABILITY. OUR IS INTENTIONAL. ENSURING

FAMILIES OF THE RESOURCES SERVICES AND SUPPORT REMAINED HOUSED IS MORE EFFECTIVE AND LESS DISRUPTIVE THAN THE SHELTER STATE. PREVENTION AND DIVERSIONS, MECHANISMS FOR KEEPING OUT OF SHELTERS. MAKING

SURE FAMILIES ARE NOT EXPERIENCE AN EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE FIRST PLACE. I'D LIKE TO REITERATE THAT OUR GOAL IS ALWAYS TO PREVENT AN EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. IF PREVENTION IS

NOT POSSIBLE IN THE FAMILY DOES NEED SHELTER WE HAVE A ROBUST AND SICKNICK AND ELIGIBILITY PROCESS THAT ENSURES THE FAMILY CAN BE SETTLED QUICKLY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS

FOR THE DEDICATION AND SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY THE CHILD EVERY DAY. THE COMMITMENT TO SERVING OTHERS IS DEEPLY SHOWED AND APPRECIATED AND DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING WORK WITH

THIS COMMITTEE AND OTHER DISTRICT PARTNERS TO ENHANCE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY TODAY. I WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS. CHAIR

FRUMIN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. SO, YOU HEARD THE TESTIMONY AND SORT OF AN UNDERCURRENT OF THE TESTIMONY WAS FORECAST FEELING LIKE THE FRONT LINE WORKERS AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS SAW THIS

AS A MISSION TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF SHELTER. AS WE TALKED I WOULD LIKE YOU TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THAT. THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE CASE FOR IMPOSING RULES CAN LEAD FOLKS TO FEEL LIKE THAT IS THE CASE.

BUT, EVEN ON THE RULES, AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF PLACES WHERE I WILL ASK YOU ABOUT SHOULD THERE BE NEW REGULATIONS IN DIFFERENT AREAS. THERE IS A BIG PICTURE THING IN THE REGULATIONS THAT CONFUSES ME

A LITTLE AND MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME. IT LOOKS LIKE THE DHS REGULATIONS GOVERNING GENERAL ELIGIBILITY FOR SHELTER WERE LAST UPDATED IN 2016. AND THAT THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING FAMILY INTAKE WERE LAST

UPDATED IN 2011. ARE THOSE STILL THE REGULATIONS, ARE THOSE STILL THE ONES THAT APPLY? DIR. PIERRE: YES THEY HAVE NOT BEEN UPDATED. WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT REGULATIONS ARE HPP ARE STILL LACKING AND THEY

ARE IN DRAFT WE PLAN IN THE NEXT YEAR FOR REGULATIONS OF HPP. CHAIR FRUMIN: ONE LINE THAT RECURS THROUGH THE REGULATION D CMR 2501, A COUPLE OF WITNESSES TESTIFIED TO THIS, NO APPLICANT MAY BE DEEMED

INELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES SOLELY BECAUSE THE APPLICANT CANNOT ESTABLISH PROOF OF HOMELESSNESS FOR RESIDENTS -- OR RESIDENCY OF THE TIME OF THE APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE. YET CRITERIA ARE IMPOSED. THAT

MAKES IT SEEM LIKE ALMOST EVERY IF NOT EVERY FAMILY SHOULD BE GRANTED AT LEAST INTERIM ELIGIBILITY IF THEY SAY THEY ARE HOMELESS AND LIVING IN THE DISTRICT EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE DOCUMENTATION. HOW

DO YOU APPLY THAT BROAD RULE WHICH SEEMS RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY VERY PERMISSIVE. DIR. PIERRE: CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION PLEASE. CHAIR FRUMIN: THE RULE IS NO APPLICANT CAN BE DEEMED INELIGIBLE SOLELY

BECAUSE THE APPLICANT CANNOT ESTABLISH PROOF OF HOMELESSNESS OR RESIDENCY AT THE TIME OF THEIR APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE. THAT MAKES IT SEEM LIKE ALMOST EVERY IF NOT EVERY FAMILY SO YOU STILL HAVE TO

MEET THE REQUIREMENT THAT YOU'RE A FAMILY , BUT ALMOST EVERY IF NOT EVERY FAMILY SHOULD BE GRANTED AT LEAST INTERIM ELIGIBILITY PLACEMENT IF THEY SAY THEY ARE HOMELESS EVEN IF THEY CANNOT PRODUCE

EVIDENCE AND THEY SAY THEY ARE LIVING IN A DISTRICT, IT WOULD APPEAR FROM THAT THAT THE FAILURE TO FULLY DEMONSTRATE THOSE THINGS CANNOT BE GROUNDS FOR TURNING SOMEBODY AWAY FROM SERVICES. HOW DO I

SQUARE THOSE WORDS WITH THE PRACTICE? DIR. PIERRE: THE PURPOSE OF EMERGENCY SHELTER IS TO MAKE SURE ANY FAMILY HAS A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. WHEN A FAMILY COMES AND SEEKS EMERGENCY SERVICES THEY REALLY

DON'T HAVE A STEAK PLACE TO STAY, THERE IS INTERIM ELIGIBILITY A THREE DAY RULE FOR SEVERE WEATHER EVEN IF THEY CANNOT PROVE RESIDENCY. WHEN A FAMILY COMES AND APPLIES OUR ROLE IS TO SEE IT AS THE

FIRST STEP TO SEE IF WE CAN PREVENT AN EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS. THIS IS WHERE THE FORM IS USED TO MAKE SURE WE ASSESS THE FAMILY TO SEE WHAT IS THE BEST PATH FOR THEM IF WE CANNOT PREVENT AN EPISODE

OF HOMELESSNESS WE PUT THEM INTO SHELTER. BUT THAT IS WHAT WE DO FIRST. CHAIR FRUMIN: CAN SOMEONE -- I SEE COUNCILMEMBER WHITE IS WAITING. THERE YOU GO. WE SEE YOU AND WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE IN SEVEN

MINUTES. WE DO HAVE -- WE HAVE HAD FOLKS COME IN WHO SAY THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GET SERVICES BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE DOCUMENTATION IN THESE CATEGORIES. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT NEEDS TO BE REVISED IN THE

RULE OR IN THE PRACTICE, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THESE THINGS ARE HELD UP AS REQUIREMENTS AT THE INITIAL STAGE WHEN THE RULE SAYS UNLESS I MISINTERPRETING IT BUT THEY SHOULDN'T BE. DIR. PIERRE: SO I THINK A

FEW THINGS. ANYONE, OUR WORKERS ARE INSURED THAT THESE -- IF THEY DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO STAY ARE BROUGHT INTO SHELTER. THERE IS IN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND VERIFICATION PROCESS THAT GOES INTO THE

CHECKING IF SOMEBODY HAS A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. OUR RESOURCES ARE SCARCE, IF SOMEONE HAS A VOUCHER THEN MAKING SURE THEY CONNECT WITH THAT VOUCHER IS A BETTER USE OF OUR RESOURCES THEN COMING IN. IF

THEY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THEIR UNIT CONDITIONS IT'S BETTER WITH US TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS TO ENSURE THEY IMPROVE THE UNIT CONDITIONS BEFORE THEY'RE ABLE TO GET EMERGENCY RELOCATION

THAN SHELTER. SO THE COUNCIL IN THE DISTRICT HAS INVESTED BROADLY INTO INCREASING OUR HOMELESS PREVENTION BUDGET SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY USING THOSE FUNDS TO CONVINCE AND DIVERT

COMING INTO THE SHELTER TO BEGIN WITH. CHAIR FRUMIN: OK, THAT IS HELPFUL. I'M NOT CANNOT FOLLOW THE LIST OF QUESTIONS BECAUSE TOPICS, BUT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON

HAS A SAFE PLACE TO STAY AS AN ELEMENT OF SUBJECTIVITY TO IT AND WE HAD A BUNCH OF WITNESSES WHO TESTIFIED THAT MIGHT BE A RELATIVE SOMEONE COULD GO TO BUT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT PERSON MIGHT BE

NOT GOOD SO IT ISN'T A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. HOW ARE YOUR PEOPLE TRAINED TO DISCERN WHETHER OR NOT THE PERSON HAS A SAFE PLACE TO STAY AND EVEN IF IN THE ABSTRACT THEY HAVE A PLACE TO STAY WHETHER OR

NOT IT IS SAFE. DIR. PIERRE: SO THEY ARE TRAINED TO ASSESS WHERE THEIR FAMILY HAS A SAFE PLACE TO STAY IF FOR EXAMPLE THEIR LIST IT ON THE LEAST AND THE HOMEOWNER SAYS THIS PERSON CAN NO LONGER STAY

FOR WHATEVER REASON AND THEY CAN'T COME BACK THAT NIGHT. WE WILL PUT THEM IN THE SHELTER. BUT THE SHELTER IS ONLY TEMPORARY AND IS NOT NECESSARILY A PATHWAY TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUT AS A PATHWAY TO

AN ISSUE THAT A FAMILY IS SAFE. WE MAY USE THAT PROGRAM TO ASK THEM TO SHELTER. WE ARE USING THE SAME TOOL BUT WE'VE USED TO HELP THE FAMILY ACCESS FROM SHELTER TO KEEP THEM COMING -- FROM COMING IN.

THIS IS WHY A FAMILY COULD BE REFERRED TO HPP VERSUS COMING INTO SHELTER. THEY ARE NO LONGER WELCOME, THEY ARE INTRUDING INTO A LEASE BUT ARE ASKED NOT TO STAY ON THIS LEASE. BUT THEY WERE GIVEN A

GRACE. OF UP TO 10 DAYS. THIS MAY BE ENOUGH TIME FOR US TO WORK WITH HPP TO HELP THE FAMILY FIND AN ALTERNATIVE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE HOUSING INTERVENTION. IF THE LANDLORD OR HOMEOWNER SAYS NO THAT A

PERSON CANNOT STAY IN THE HOUSE THEY COME INTO SHELTER BUT WE WOULD USE THE SAME TOOL TO TRY TO DIVERT THEM BECAUSE NOT EVERY FAMILY IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR OTHER INTERVENTIONS SO WE ARE REALLY USING

HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM TO HELP FAMILIES FIND HOUSING INTERVENTIONS SUSTAINABLE FOR THEIR SITUATIONS LONG-TERM. CHAIR FRUMIN: EVERYTHING RAISES EVERYTHING BUT I THINK WE WILL GET TO SOME OF THOSE

ON THE DATA ON HPP AND THE REGULATIONS ON HOW YOU HAVE DETERMINATIONS ON THAT. THE TWO NAMED ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR HOMELESS SERVICES DCM ARE 2501. HOMELESSNESS OR BEING AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

DISTRICT RESIDENCY. HOW THEY PROVE THOSE TWO THINGS IS COMPLICATED AND I AM INTERESTED AS TO HOW THEY WILL BE ON NOTICE OF WHAT THEY NEED TO BRING TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. THE DHS WEBSITE SAYS BIRTH

CERTIFICATES, PROOF OF INCOME AND PROOF OF RESIDENCY. IF YOU ARE PROVING PROOF OF RESIDENCY OTHER THAN BY USING AN ID. WE HAVE HEARD THAT FAMILIES ARE ASKED TO BRING AND PROVE A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

THE REGULATIONS AT 2507 .3'S A FAMILY SHOULD BRING PROOF OF HOUSING STATUS, FAMILY COMPOSITION EMPLOYMENT STATUS, INCOME AND ASSETS. IS THERE ANY DOCUMENT THAT PUTS FAMILIES ON NOTICE OF EVERYTHING

THEY WILL HAVE TO BRING TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR SERVICES? DIR. PIERRE: SAMPLES OF WHAT THEY CAN BRING FOR PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION OR RESIDENCY. OTHER WAYS WE CAN CHECK OURSELVES

IN THE FAMILY DOESN'T BRING THE DOCUMENT. WE CAN CHECK SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, WE CAN CHECK IF THEY ARE RECEIVING BENEFITS. WE HAVE A LOT OF VERIFICATION OURSELVES THAT WE DO USE IF A FAMILY IS NOT ABLE TO

PROVIDE THEIR OWN VERIFICATION. IN CASES WHERE VERIFICATIONS ARE NOT POSSIBLE THERE IS AN INTERIM ELIGIBILITY THAT WE DO USE TO COME INTO SHELTER WHILE THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THOSE DOCUMENTS. CHAIR

FRUMIN: COUNCILMEMBER WHITE I HOPE YOU'LL INDULGE ME I JUST WANT TO FINISH MY SET OF QUESTIONS THAT I WILL TURN TO YOU. >> YOUR FIND I NEED AN ADDITIONAL FOUR MINUTES ANYWAY. CHAIR FRUMIN: IF A FAMILY

IS MISSING A DOCUMENT HOW LONG DO THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE PLACED ON AN INTERIM BASIS? DIR. PIERRE: INTERIM ELIGIBILITY USE OF UP TO 12 DAYS. CHAIR FRUMIN: AND HOW OFTEN ARE YOU GRANTING SERVICES ON A

MIDTERM BASIS WHILE YOU WAIT FOR A DOCUMENT. WE HAD A WOMAN WHO CAME TO TESTIFY WHO COULDN'T GET CERTAIN DOCUMENTS AND IT TOOK THREE TRIES AND THEN SHE GOT SERVICES ON A MIDTERM -- INTERIM BASIS. HOW

LONG ARE YOU GIVING SERVICES AN INTERIM BASIS WHILE YOU WAIT FOR THEM. DIR. PIERRE: ANY FAMILY THAT DOES NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY AND IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF LOCATING DOCUMENTATION ARE BROUGHT

IN FROM INTERIM ELIGIBILITY. IT DOES HAPPEN THAT A FAMILY IS DENIED SERVICES BUT IT'S NOT A DENIAL TO COME INTO FOR HOMELESS SERVICES. OUR HOMELESS SERVICES INCLUDE DIVERSION AND ALL THE OTHER TOOLS

HAVE INVESTED IN. JUST BRING FAMILIES INTO SHELTER. CHAIR FRUMIN: IN THEORY THEY SHOULD GET SOMETHING EVEN IF THERE'S MISSING A DOCUMENT. EVEN IF AN INTERIM BASIS. 29 DCM ARE 2507 -- SIX ALLOWS DHS TO

WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR ANY DOCUMENTATION TO ATTEST TO THE NECESSARY INFORMATION HOW OFTEN DOES THIS HAPPEN. IT'S NOT JUST INTERIM BUT DOCUMENTS AREN'T PRODUCED. THE STORY HOLDS AND SO YOU WAIVE THE

DOCUMENT REQUIREMENT HOW FREQUENTLY DOES THAT HAPPEN. >> THE BREAKDOWN WHEN A FAMILY PROVIDES ALL DOCUMENTATIONS. WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DETERMINE RESIDENCY ALMOST AS AND SO FORTH. ABLE TO CHECK IF

FAMILIES HAVE A VOUCHER WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. WHEN THE FAMILY IS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS. WE KNOW DURING A CRISIS. BRINGING THEIR DOCUMENTS. I'M GOING TO WHEN THEY CAN SHOW CUSTODY THEY

CAN SHOW APPARENT TOTAL RELATIONSHIP IS IN THE BEST INTEREST IN THOSE CASES MAY BE REFER BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PARENTAL RELATIONSHIP BEFORE WE IT CHILD INTO SHELTER. CHAIR FRUMIN: I

UNDERSTAND THAT, BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN IN THE CROWD -- IS NOT WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND I ALSO GET IT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE DISTINCT SET OF ISSUES. NAVIGATING THAT IS A CHALLENGE. I'M LOOKING FOR THE

CASES MAYBE YOU CAN CHECK THE ANSWER BY LOOKING AT YOUR OWN SYSTEM. COULD BE A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR WHO IS NEW TO THE SYSTEM, A RELATIVELY NEW TO THE AREA IN THE SAFETY NET. NEW TO THE SYSTEM,

DOESN'T HAVE A RECORD IN THE SYSTEM BUT HAS A VERY COMPELLING STORY WHY IT IS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO GO THAN I WITH HER FAMILY. HOW DO WE MAKE SURE. DIR. PIERRE: IF THE FAMILY CAN

ACTUALLY HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO GO THERE WILL COME INTO THE SHELTER. I ASKED MY TEAM ON OUR WITNESSES IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND THE EXPERIENCE THAT INTERACT WITH OUR SYSTEM SAME TO DENY

SHELTER. OR COMPLAINING ABOUT LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. AND WILL FOLLOW UP MOST HAPPENING IN THOSE PARTICULAR CASES. IS OUR SYSTEM PERFECT, ABSOLUTELY NOT. SO I WILL TAKE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE

SURE FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT REITERATED THROUGHOUT TRAINING AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ESCALATE IT. ISSUES OF CONCERNS FOR LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. THOSE ARE ESCALATED AND WAS

KNOWN WELL TO OUR SYSTEM. WE HAVE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. WE USE THAT SYSTEM TO BE ABLE TO VERIFY THE INFORMATION. WE HAVE INTERIM ELIGIBILITY AND THINGS FROM ANOTHER TRANSITION. WE WILL STILL BRING

THEM INTO SHELTER. CHAIR FRUMIN: COUNCILMEMBER WHITE HAS PATIENTLY WAITED SO COUNCILMEMBER WHITE WE WILL TURN IT OVER TO YOU. MR. WHITE: THANK YOU CAN YOU HEAR ME? CHAIR FRUMIN: WE CAN. MR. WHITE:

THANK YOU DIRECTOR PEER WE APPRECIATE YOU. IN THE CHAIRMAN'S OPENING REMARKS TALKING ABOUT SOME REQUEST FOR ANSWERS, HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS BEEN SENT IN ALREADY. DIR. PIERRE: ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE

FORMS THAT COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN'S OFFICE DID NOT RECEIVE? MY UNDERSTANDING THEY MAY HAVE BEEN DELAYED IN BEING RECEIVED AND GOT CONFIRMATION THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTATION WERE SENT. WERE HAPPY TO

FOLLOW-UP I RECEIVED CONFIRMATION FOR MY TEAM. CHAIR FRUMIN: THE BIGGEST THING THAT HASN'T BEEN SENT IS THE SCRIPTS THEMSELVES. WE CAN CIRCLE BACK ON THAT. MR. WHITE: WHAT IS THE RESERVATION BECAUSE

WE CANNOT DO OUR JOB EFFECTIVELY IF WE DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT INFORMATION THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT. GETTING TO COUNSEL WHAT THEY NEED FOR SERVICE. DIR. PIERRE: THE LANGUAGE STATING THE SCRIPT I DON'T

THINK I'M ASKING WHAT THE SCRIPT WE ARE NOT SHARING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WORD IS COMING FROM. I DO WANT TO SHARE THAT THE FORMS WE USED AT THE FRONT DOOR WORKED IN IMPROVED WITH DASH TO ENSURE THE

QUESTION AROUND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS CLEAR. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EXPERTS TO MAKE SURE THE NEEDS OF SURVIVORS. I JUST WANT TO ADD WE TALK TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE FAMILY STATES WE IMMEDIATELY REFER THE

PRESIDENT PARMER -- PARTNERS WHO ARE CO-LOCATED. MR. WHITE: HAVE YOU ASKED THE CHAIRMAN WHAT HE MEANS BY SCRIPTS ON THIS. DIR. PIERRE: IT CAME UP DURING THIS HEARING. I DID SHARE COUNCILMEMBER WHITE

THAT WE WERE DELAYED AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAY IN SUBMITTING THE FORMS THAT COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN'S OFFICE AND REQUESTED. AND WE ARE HAPPY TO UNDERSTAND THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED. MR. WHITE:

A FOLLOW UP OF THE CHAIRMAN TO MAKE SURE WE'VE GOT THAT. AND YOUR TESTIMONY USING FRONTLINE STAFF FOLLOWED PRINCIPAL CONSISTENT STANDARDS AND FAMILIES ARE TREATED WITH COMPASSION FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY.

WE WANT ALL THAT TO HAPPEN IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN. IN A GROUP SETTING WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND ENCOURAGE THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINTS CONSISTENTLY WITH THIS AGENCY AND NO ONE GETS IT RIGHT ALL THE

TIME. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WITH YOU. THESE STANDARDS WRITTEN DOWN AND HOW ARE THEY COMMUNICATED? DIR. PIERRE: IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT MY FRONTLINE TEAM WOULD CREATE A FAMILY IN CRISIS WITH ANYTHING

OTHER THAN COMPASSION. SO I WAS DEFINITELY DISHEARTENED TO HEAR THE EXPERIENCE FROM SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS IN CRISIS WERE RECEIVING FROM THE TEAM. MR. WHITE: THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME HEARING IT? DIR.

PIERRE: IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE'VE HEARD IT, WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE TRAINING AROUND CUSTOMER SERVICE AND REALLY I MEET WITH WE HAVE TRAINING WITH ALL STAFF THAT WHEN YOU ARE MEETING WITH FAMILIES

THEY ARE EXPERIENCING A CRISIS WITH ITS FINANCIAL CRISIS OR HOUSING CRISIS. IT IS A REQUIREMENT OF THE JOB. AS A COMP IT HAPPENS 100% OF THE TIME RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THIS IS NOT THEIR

EXPERIENCE THAN WE ARE FAILING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MEETING THE EXPECTATIONS OF THIS AGENCY PUTS ON OUR STAFF. I DO HAVE TO SAY A BAD EXPERIENCE DOES NOT MEAN THAT ALL OF OUR STAFF IS PROVIDING BAD

CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT IT IS STILL NOT UP TO OUR STANDARDS BECAUSE OUR GOAL IS 100% OF OUR STAFF WILL PROVIDE GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. MR. WHITE: THANK YOU FOR THE FEEDBACK. LOOKING FOR SOME MORE TANGIBLE

THINGS BECAUSE AS A RECURRING THING WITH THIS AGENCY. JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE AWARE OF HOW YOU ARE ADDRESSING IT WHENEVER IT ARISE. MAKING SURE WE GO IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS WE HAD THIS

REPETITIVE COMPLAINT YEAR AFTER YEAR, MEETING AFTER MEETING, EMAIL AFTER EMAIL. AND HOW YOU MANAGE THAT WITH VIRGINIA WILLIAMS IS ONE OF OUR PROVIDERS CAME HERE FROM THAT ANGLE AS WELL. DIR. PIERRE:

VIRGINIA WILLIAMS IS STAFFED BY DHS EMPLOYEES. WE RECEIVE THE TRAINING AND EXPECTATION FROM ALL OF OUR THAT IS REQUIRED FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE RECEIVE TRAININGS FROM DASH MONTHLY. MR. WHITE: CAN

YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT TRAINING THEY GO THROUGH IF YOU KNOW OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD? DIR. PIERRE: WE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH YOU COUNCILMEMBER. MR. WHITE: I JUST WANT TO GET THAT INTO THE HEARING.

YOU'VE GOT A PLETHORA OF STAFF THERE, WE WANT TO KNOW ON THE RECORD WHAT ARE THOSE TRAININGS THAT'S CRITICAL FOR HOW WE ADDRESS THIS. DIR. PIERRE: SO I AM HOPING IF MEMBERS OF MY STAFF OR LISTENING

THEY CAN PROVIDE THAT TO COUNSEL BY TODAY. MR. WHITE: THANK YOU FOR THAT. HOW IS PERFORMANCE AND EFFICACY DATA CAPPED, ANALYZED AND POCKETED? DIR. PIERRE: I DON'T THINK I QUITE HEARD YOUR QUESTION.

MR. WHITE: HOW IS PERFORMANCE AND EFFICACY DATA CAPPED, ANALYZED? DIR. PIERRE: WE KEEP OUR DATA ON OUR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, WE USE THE DATA TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT CAN BE RESPONSIVE TO THE

NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS. ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO SHELTER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO ACT ON OUR POLICY TO PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND SHELTER FOR FAMILIES IT NOT SOMETHING THAT IS LEGISLATED. WE

ARE VERY PROUD WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP SHELTER CAPACITY YEAR-ROUND TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SHELTER FOR YEAR-ROUND FOR FAMILIES WHO DO NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. UNFORTUNATELY IT DOES

MEAN WE WILL BE, WE HAVE TO HAVE OF DEBILITY CRITERIA TO COME INTO SHELTER. WE HAVE TO USE OUR HOMES PREVENTION PROGRAM DATA BUT ALSO FUNDING TO TRYING PREVENTION EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS. WE CONTINUE

TO HAVE CAPACITY FOR FAMILIES WHO DO NOT HAVE A SPACE TO STAY. WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE CHILDREN ON THE STREET IN WASHINGTON DC. WE ARE VERY PROUD WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE WE WILL NOT SEE HOMELESS CHILDREN

ON THE STREETS. MR. WHITE: I THINK I SAW SOMETHING RECENTLY THAT YOU ARE ADMINISTERING DECEMBER OR JANUARY BUT DEFINITELY COMING UP. CAN YOU CORRECT ME WHICH MONTH IT IS. DIR. PIERRE: WE DID PUT IT ON

SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DATA BUT I WILL GET IT FOR YOU BEFORE THE END OF THE HEARING. MR. WHITE: BECAUSE HISTORICALLY A LEASE FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS IS JUST OPENING AND CLOSING NOT

OPENING, NO RESPONSES. WE HAD THAT DISASTER OF YOUR OFFICE WERE PEOPLE, TO GET ASSISTANCE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE DEMAND OF THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I HOPE THERE WERE

A LOT OF LESSONS LEARNED BECAUSE IT WAS CRAZY. THE GOVERNMENT WE SHOULD TRY TO IMPROVE SO IF YOU CAN WALK US THROUGH HOW YOU PLAN ON HANDLING THAT THIS TIME AROUND. ALREADY PLANNED DIR. PIERRE: OUT.

DIR. PIERRE: WE HAVE ALREADY, IT WAS AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION WE'VE WORKING TO PROVE THE SYSTEM. TO GO BACK TO BEING ONLINE. MR. WHITE: CAN I STOP YOU REAL QUICK. WE KNOW HISTORICALLY FOR TWO YEARS

ONLINE DID NOT WORK SOLELY I WAS IN A GROUP TEXT WITH COUNCILMEMBERS SINGULAR TRY TO GET ONLINE AND WAS CRASHING. ARE YOU SAYING YOU'RE GOING TO BACK TO SOLELY ONLINE? DIR. PIERRE: IT IS FUNDED AT $5

MILLION FOR THIS YEAR. WE KNOW THE DEMAND FAR EXCEEDS WHAT WE HAVE IN THE BUDGET. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ADMINISTER THIS PROGRAM AS A STANDALONE PROGRAM. I CAN TELL YOU FOR A FACT THE DAY WE

OPENED THE PORTAL WE WILL HAVE RESIDENTS TRYING TO GET ON OUR PORTAL WHO WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND EXCEEDS THE SUPPLY. BUT WE HAVE ENHANCED OUR SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT

WE CAN AT LEAST HAVE A VIRTUAL WAITING ROOM SO THAT FOLKS ARE ABLE TO KIND OF GET ON. WE WILL HAVE LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES FOR IN-PERSON, NOT IN OUR OFFICE SPECIFICALLY TARGETED FOR SENIORS OR RESIDENTS

WHO MAY NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION. WE WILL TRY TO COMMUNICATE, WHICH WE HAVE A COMMUNICATION PLAN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THE DAYS BEFORE THE PORTAL OPENS, TO ENSURE THAT WHEN WE

SIT THE EXPECTATIONS FOR RESIDENTS, NOT EVERYBODY WHO WANTS ERAP WILL GET IT. WE DO NOT WANT RESIDENTS TO WAIT UNTIL THE PORTAL OPENS TO TRY TO RESOLVE THEIR HOUSING INSTABILITY. I AM SAYING IT NOW,

AND I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT WE WILL HAVE RESIDENTS WHO ARE NOT SATISFIED THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET AN ERAP APPOINTMENT THAT DAY BECAUSE THE DEMAND FAR EXCEEDS WHAT ERAP IS FUNDED

FOR. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. OF COURSE, WE KNOW THAT WE DON'T-- WE HAVEN'T FUNDED IT TO A LEVEL THAT MEETS DEMAND. MY QUESTION WAS, HAVE YOU ALL DEALT WITH THE ISSUE OF THE SYSTEM CRASHING? >> THAT IS

WHAT I'M ASKING. IT CRASHED OVER FIVE -- >> WE ARE HOPING IT WON'T CRASH COUNCILMEMBER WHITE, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENT, INCLUDING HAVING A VIRTUAL WAITING ROOM. I'M VERY

CONFIDENT THAT THE TEAM HAS TAKEN THIS AND TESTED THE SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT CRASH. I JUST CAN'T SAY FOR A FACT. I WANT TO SAY THAT WE ARE PLANNING FOR IT NOT TO CRASH. BECAUSE WE HAVE

LEARNED FROM LAST YEAR, WE SET UP A VIRTUAL WAITING ROOM TO ALLOW FOLKS WHO ARE ONLINE TO WAIT TO GET APPOINTMENTS. BUT IT WILL BE ONLINE BECAUSE OF WHAT THE FEEDBACK WE GOT LAST YEAR IS THAT COMING

IN PERSON WAS NOT AN EFFECTIVE WAY. LAST YEAR WAS AN UNFORTUNATE-- WE WERE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN OUR SYSTEM TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS. BUT WE MISSED THE

MARK. >> YES. SO WE DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS GOING TO CRASH. IF WE HAD A PROBLEM FOR THREE YEARS STRAIGHT, MAYBE MORE, WE-- WHATEVER OTHER AGENCIES, HIRE SOME EXPERTS TO FIX IT BECAUSE PEOPLE-- IT IS ONE

THING WHEN IT IS AN OVERLOAD OF PEOPLE VS. SERVICES. IT IS ANOTHER THING WHEN THE GOVERNMENT HAS A $20 BILLION OPERATION. YOU SHOULD FIND A WAY TO FIX THAT. YEAR AFTER YEAR, YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT IS

GOING TO CRASH OR NOT, FOR OVER TWO YEARS. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD YEAR TO MY KNOWLEDGE. MAYBE MORE. UPA LITTLE OVER MY TIME. I DIGRESS. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. CHAIRMAN FRUMIN? CHAIR FRUMIN: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCILMEMBER WHITE. CAN WE GO BACK TO-- WE WERE TALKING ABDOCUMENTATION. ONE PIECE OF DOCUMENTATION IS BIRTH CERTIFICATES. I CAN IMAGINE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE BIRTH

CERTIFICATES AT THE READY. IT MUST BE A THING THAT CASE MANAGERS DEAL WITH A LOT. DO YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP THAT YOU HAVE SOME EXPEDITED PROCESS TO GET BIRTH CERTIFICATES WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED? >> WE

DO HAVE-- YES. WE DO HAVE A WAY TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS RECEIVE THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE. I THINK WE CAN GET SAME-DAY BIRTH CERTIFICATES. COPIES OF SAME-DAY BIRTH CERTIFICATES. WE DO HAVE A FEE WAIVER

FOR FAMILIES. THEY DO HAVE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION, SOME TYPE OF DOCUMENTATION TO RECEIVE THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE. >> THEY NEED TO HAVE SOME KIND OF DOCUMENTATION IN ORDER TO GET THEIR BIRTH

CERTIFICATE? >> WELL WELL, THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF THEIR CHILDREN IS PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANT. TO ESTABLISH PARENTAL RELATIONSHIP. CHAIR FRUMIN: THEY NEED TO HAVE IDENTIFICATION OF THE PARENT. THEY

CAN USE THAT TO GET A BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF ANY CHILDREN THAT THEY HAVE IN ORDER TO MEET THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE FAMILY CONNECTION. >> RIGHT. CHAIR FRUMIN: YOU NOTED THE ABSENCE OF DOCUMENTSES WILL NOT

PREVENT US FROM COMPLETING AN ASSESSMENT. WE MUST BE ABLE TO CONFIRM A CHILD SA MEMBER OF A HOUSEHOLD BEFORE PLACING A FAMILY IN A SHELTER. THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF

APPLICATION, AND IF A FAMILY IS NOT OTHERWISE RECEIVING PUBLIC BENEFITS SO YOU ARE ABLE TO DO IT, A DATA CHECK, HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR AN INTERIM ELIGIBILITY FINDING? THIS IS WHAT WE WERE TALKING

ABOUT A SHORT WHILE AGO. YOU NEED TO KNOW IT'S ACTUALLY A FAMILY UNIT. IT MAY BE THAT YOU, IN THAT DAY, YOU CAN'T, AND THEN AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU HAVE MAYBE AN INFANT WHO THE GROUP HAS

ESTABLISHED THEY DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO GO, BUT YOU HAVEN'T MET THIS REQUIREMENT. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT? >> I DON'T THINK I UNDERSTOOD YOUR QUESTION. CHAIR FRUMIN: MY QUESTION IS IF YOU WON'T

PROVIDE SHELTER-- YOU HAVE TO ESTABLISH THAT IT'S A FAMILY UNIT. IF YOU DON'T HAVE DOCUMENTATION TO DO THAT, AND THE CLOCK RUNS OUT AND NOW WE ARE AT 10:00 AT NIGHT, AND THE FAMILY-- THE GROUP IS

SITTING THERE WAITING TO HEAR, AND THEY HAVE DEMONSTRATED TO YOU THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY, WHAT DO YOU DO? ARE YOU UNABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THAT GROUP? >> IF A FAMILY HAS A YOUNG

CHILD WITH THEM, AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY, AND THEY CANNOT ESTABLISH THE FAMILY RELATIONSHIP, WE WOULD INVOLVE THE CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES AGENCY. THEY CAN HELP US DETERMINE WHETHER

THERE IS A FAMILY RELATIONSHIP. WE WOULD NOT TURN A FAMILY AWAY WHO CANNOT DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY FOR WHOM WE CANNOT ALSO OURSELVES CLARIFY OR DEMONSTRATE THAT THE FAMILY HAS

A SAFE PLACE TO STAY THAT NIGHT. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN, WE DO NOT LET CHILDREN STAY ON THE STREET. WE WOULD WORK WITH OUR SISTER AGENCIES TO ESTABLISH SOME TYPE OF VERIFICATION. IT MAY MEAN THAT IT MAY

TAKE LONGER. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE OUR SHELTER HOT LINE THAT WILL TRANSPORT AT ANY TIME. BUT WE WOULD FIND A WAY TO AT LEAST ESTABLISH THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH A CHILD. CHAIR FRUMIN: SO IN THAT SETTING,

CFSA MIGHT GIVE YOU THE GREEN LIGHT TO PROCEED WITH PROVIDING SHELTER, BUT YOU WOULD BE DEFERRING ON THAT DETERMINATION OF, IS THIS A FAMILY UNIT IN THE ABSENCE OF DOCUMENTATION TO THE JUDGMENT OF

CFSA? >> WELL, WE WORK IN COLLABORATION. THAT IS WHY CFSA IS COLOCATED AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. SOMETIMES WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS NOT A CASE THAT IS INVOLVING CFSA. WHERE A CHILD COULD HAVE BEEN

REMOVED, FOR EXAMPLE. AND THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE CARE OF THE MOTHER FOR WHATEVER REASON. WE WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH CFSA. THEY ALSO CO-LOCATE AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. >> CHAIR FRUMIN:

OKAY. 25 07.10 REQUIRES A CLEAR STATEMENT OF THE FAMILY'S GENERAL ELIGIBILITY FOR SHELTER, BUT A FAMILY CAN BE FOUND ELIGIBLE FOR HOMELESS SERVICES AND REFERRED TO HPP INSTEAD OF SHELTER. WHAT

DOCUMENTATION OF THAT DECISION DOES A FAMILY REFER TO HPP RECEIVE? IS THERE SOMETHING-- THERE IS A FORK IN THE ROAD, AND WHEN YOU COME TO THAT FORK HT ROAD, HOW DO YOU DOCUMENT IT AND DOCUMENT IT FOR

THE BENEFIT OF THE FAMILY? >> YOU MEAN IN OUR SYSTEM? HOW WE MAKE THE DETERMINATION? CHAIR FRUMIN: YEAH. YOU MADE A DETERMINATION. OKAY, HPP IS THE RIGHT ANSWER. DO YOU DOCUMENT THAT IN YOUR SYSTEM

AND TO THE FAMILY? >> YES. SO WHEN WE DO REFER FAMILIES THROUGH HPP, WE DO MAKE-- WE DO PROVIDE A FORM OF ELIGIBILITY FOR HOMELESS SERVICES. AND THE REFERRAL IS THROUGH HPP. CHAIR FRUMIN: AND YOU

HEARD, I THINK, MAYBE IT WAS MAKENNA OSBORN FROM CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER ABOUT THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THAT IS AN APPEALABLE DECISION. SO YOU SAY REFERRAL TO HPP IS IN A DENIAL OF SHELTER, BUT IT'S AS A

PRACTICAL MATTER, IT IS A FORK IN THE ROAD, AND IT MAY BE THAT THE FAMILY, AND I THINK WE HAVE SEEN SOME-- WE HEARD SOME INSTANCES OF THIS, WHERE FAMILY THOUGHT NO, I NEED SHELTER. HPP ISN'T THE RIGHT

ANSWER. IS THERE A WAY FOR THEM TO APPEAL THAT DECISION? >> SO OUR POLICY AND PRACTICE IS THAT IF A FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY, THEY ARE TO BE BROUGHT INTO SHELTER. I CAN'T SPEAK ON ALL

OF INDIVIDUAL CASES. IT MAY MEAN THAT I MEAN ANY-- I HAD NOT HEARD THAT THIS WAS REALLY A CONCERN. WHERE A FAMILY FELT THEY THEY DID NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY AND THEY WERE DENIED SHELTER. I AM

PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IN HPP TO KIND OF KEEP-- TO BE ABLE TO AVOID AN EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS. WHENEVER POSSIBLE. AND IF THERE ARE SOME CASES THAT DO REQUIRE FURTHER REVIEW,

BUT I HAVE NOT-- THERE HAS NOT BEEN A CASE WHERE A FAMILY WAS DENIED SHELTER WITHOUT HAVING A SAFE PLACE TO STAY THAT NIGHT. SO I THINK PART OF WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING IS A LITTLE BIT OF A SYSTEM

SHIFT BECAUSE OF THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE FAMILIES GET TO A SUSTAINABLE HOUSING INTERVENTION AND THE PREVIOUS YEARS, THE HOMELESSNESS SYSTEM HAD BEEN USED AS WAY TO GET

AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGH FRSP. WHEN WE HAD A LOT OF VOUCHERS, OUR SYSTEM IS JUST NOT FUNDED AT THAT LEVEL, AND WE HAVE AS A SYSTEM, INCLUDING WITH THE SUPPORT OF COUNCIL AND THE EXECUTIVE, INVESTED

IN HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM. IT IS A SYSTEM SHIFT WHERE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM IS THE FIRST TOOL BEFORE BEING-- BRINGING FAMILIES INTO SHELTER. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. I

HEAR YOU. AND TO BE FAIR, WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF BACK-AND-FORTH ABOUT THIS BOTH AT THIS-- ABOUT THIS STAGE AND THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND THE EXITING SHELTER, WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS, AND THE

IDEA OF, THE IDEA OF RELIANCE ON OTHER TOOLS IS A THING THAT I PERSONALLY SUPPORT. IT IS A SHIFT, AND IT IS ACTUAL APRETTY BIG SHIFT BECAUSE-- AND I'LL GO TO THE DATA THAT YOU PROVIDED. SO HPP-- YEAH.

SO IN 2025, 1,80 OF THE ASSESSMENTS OF THE TOTAL 4,274 RESULTED IN REFERRAL TO HPP. IN 2026, IT IS 2590. IT IS OVER HALF GO INTO HPP. SO IT REALLY IS A SHIFT. AND THE IDEA THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE WANT TO

DIAL IN ON-- THERE IS A BIG SHIFT THAT IS HAPPENING, ARE WE OVERRELYING ON THAT SHIFT? HOW MUCH TRANSPARENCY IS THERE ABOUT THE BASIS FOR THOSE DETERMINATIONS? THAT IS A THEME THAT WE HEARD FROM THE

TESTIMONY BEFORE. MAY WELL BE THAT YOU CAN DEFEND IT IN ALMOST EVERY CAS CASE, BUT IT RAISES A CONCERN. YOU LOOK LIKE YOU WANT TO -- >> YEAH. WE ARE ALSO AWARE, COUNCILMEMBER, WE ARE ALSO OPEN-- WE

ALSO OPENED THREE ADDITIONAL SITES. THE DISTRICT DOES NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO SHELTER YEAR-ROUND FOR FAMILIES. WE HAVE IT AS A POLICY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A STRONG SYSTEM FOR FAMILIES WHO DO

NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. IN ORDER TO HAVE A REALLY ROBUST SYSTEM, IT'S-- WE NEED TO TRY TO PREVENT AND DIVERT FROM AN EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN

OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO MAKE SURE THAT I REALLY UNDERSTAND THE PRACTICES AT THE FRONT DOOR. BUT AGAIN, WHAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IS TWO THINGS. THAT NO CHILDREN STAY OUTSIDE BECAUSE OF SHELTERS ARE

FULL. IN ORDER FOR OUR SHELTERS NOT TO BE FULL, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE TRY TO PREVENT AN EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. WHEN A FAMILY COMES INTO SHELTER, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE EXIT

THEM ON A SUSTAINABLE PATH. SO IT IS A SHIFT IN OUR SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE FAMILIES WITH A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE PATH, WHETHER IT IS BEFORE THEY COME INTO HELLER THE-- SHELTER OR QUICKLY

EXITING SHELTER. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. I HAVE GONE OVER. COUNCILMEMBER WHITE HAS BEEN PATIENTLY WAITING. I WILL TURN TO COUNCILMEMBER WHITE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE YOU SAID

THAT YOU HAVE, I BELIEVE, 3,000 ASSESSMENTS, AND I SEE IT IS TRENDING DOWN, I GUESS, SINCE '2022. IT HAS BEEN TRENDING DOWN. I GUESS I WANT TO KNOW WHAT DO YOU PROJECT TO BE THE TREND MOVING FORWARD?

AND WHAT DO YOU SEE THE REASONS FOR THIS TREND TO BE MOVING DOWN? IF YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THAT. >> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE ASSESSMENT AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, COUNCILMEMBER? >> YES. >> WHAT WE KNOW IS

THAT-- I DON'T KNOW-- WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT WHAT WE HAVE DONE AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, NOT EVERYBODY WHO IS COPPING TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS COMES TO HAVE ACCESS TO SHELTER. BUT THEY ARE COMING WHEN THEY ARE

EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY AND OFTENTIMESSERS THEY WANT TO GET CONNECTED TO SERVICES OR CHILD CARE. OR TO GET CONNECTED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES. SO THE ASSESSMENT CAN INCLUDE ALL OF THE

ABOVE. IF THEY ARE COMING FOR HOUSING STABILITY OR THEY WANT TO GET CONNECTED TO SERVICES OR CHILD CARE AND SO FORTH, THE DIVIRGINIA WILLIAMS HAS BECOME A HUB WHERE FAMILIES CAN GET CONNECTED TO A

WIDE ARRAY OF SERVICES. >> THANK YOU. YOUR FY-2027 APPROVED BUDGET FOR HPP IS $9,347,867. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR ADDITIONAL RESOURCE NEEDED TO DO A BETTER JOB TO PROVIDE BETTER OUTCOMES, REAP MORE

FAMILIES-- REACH MORE FAMILIES AND BETTER QUALITY CUSTOME SERVICE? >> THE QUESTION IS-- I'M SORRY. >> YEAH. SO ESSENTIALLY YOUR BUDGET IS ALMOST $9 MILLION. NO. $9 MILLION. WE KNOW, WE KNOW THAT IT IS

OKAY, BUT WE CAN DO MORE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEEDS THAT YOU SEE ON A DAILY BASIS, THAT WE COULD USE MORE MONEY FOR. WHEN I MET WITH YOU IN YOUR OFFICE, YOU WERE SAYING THERE WERE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS

THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE FUNDED. RAPID RE-HOUSING. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT IS WORKING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEED IS TO GIVE BETTER QUALITY AND MORE SERVICE INVESTMENTS. I KNOW IN

D.C. IT IS BECOMING HARDER TO LIVE HERE, AND PEOPLE ARE, YOU KNOW, EXPERIENCING A LOT OF CRISIS AND TRAUMA. >> RIGHT. >> YOU ARE THE AGENCY PEOPLE COME TO FOR A LOT OF THESE THINGS. NOT ALL, BUT A LOT

OF IT. I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NEED IS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. SO LAST YEAR, OUR BUDGET OF FISCAL YEAR '26, $7,570,000. THIS FISCAL

YEAR, RATHER, AS YOU MENTIONED, IT IS $9 MILLION. WHAT WE HAVE FOUND IS THAT HPP IS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS. SO WHILE WE TALK ABOUT ERAP OPENING AND CLOSING, THE DAY IT OPENS, RIGHT?

AND WE PREDICT THAT THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE THE CASE. HPP IS ALSO ANOTHER TOOL FOR FAMILIES TO RECEIVE SOME RENTAL ASSISTANCE, YOU KNOW, LIMITED ARREAR ASSISTANCE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT

AVOIDING AN EVICTION, BEING ABLE TO GET CAUGHT UP WHEN YOU ARE EXPERIENCING AN EMERGENCY OUTSIDE OF THE ONE DAY THAT ERAP IS OPEN IS WHY INVESTING IN HPP MAKES SENSE FOR US, FOR OUR SYSTEM. HPP ALSO

ALLOWS WHAT I CALL SORT OF LIKE HOUSING-ADJACENT SUPPORTS. IF A PERSON IS HOUSE-BURDENED, AND THEY EXPERIENCE THEIR CAR BREAKING DOWN, AND THE CAR-- THIS IS WHAT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET TO WORK,

THE HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM CAN SUPPORT IN THAT WAY IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING CAR REPAIR. YOU KNOW, BUYING, BUYING UNIFORMS TO HELP SOMEBODY KIND OF OBTAIN WORK. WE ALSO HAVE OUR VOCATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. THEY ARE EACH ASSIGNED TO A HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM TO CONNECT FAMILIES TO EMPLOYMENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. WHAT WE WANT TO MAKE

SURE IS THAT WHEN A FAMILY COMES TO US EXPERIENCING A HOUSING CRISIS, WE HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE PATH TOWARDS HOUSING SUSTAINABILITY. THAT INCLUDES FINDING HOUSING

INTERVENTION. THAT MAKES SENSE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. IT MAY SOMETIMES INVOLVE SHARED HOUSING WITH ANOTHER FAMILY. IT MAY SOMETIMES INVOLVE, IF THE FAMILY WANTS TO, MOVE OUT OF THE DISTRICT TOWARDS

HOUSING THAT IS AFFORDABLE TO THEM. THAT IS WHY WE THINK THAT REALLY INVESTING IN HPP MAKES SENSE FOR OUR SYSTEM. WE ARE ABLE TO DIVERSIFY THE INTERVENTIONS THAT WE OFFER FAMILIES. >> GOT IT. AND YOU

HAVE AN IDEA OF A NUMBER THAT MAY BE MORE SUITABLE TO SUPPORT HPP? >> WELL, WE USE ALL OF THE FUNDING THAT WE HAD IN FISCAL YEAR '26. WHICH IS GREAT. AND WE ARE-- WE PLAN ON BEING ABLE TO MAXIMIZE THE

FUNDING WE HAVE IN FISCAL YEAR '27. WE ARE IN BUDGET FORMULATION FOR FISCAL YEAR '28 RIGHT NOW. WE WILL BE WORKING ON UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE NEEDS ARE AND MAKING A PROJECTION TO SEE WHAT COULD BE

SUITABLE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR '28. WE ARE NOT AT THAT POINT YET, COUNCILMEMBER. >> GOT IT. IN TERMS OF INTAKE SERVICES AND OUTCOMES,ARE YOU ABLE TO TRACK DATABASED ON WARDS? >> WE HAVE DATA THAT WE

CAN SPARSE OUT BASED ON WARDS. IT DEPENDS ON WHAT IS THE DATA THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. >> WELL, I GUESS BECAUSE HOMELESSNESS IS SO VAST AND SO TRANCE TRANSIENT, IT IS HARD TO TRACK WHERE PEOPLE ARE.

I RUN INTO PEOPLE, AND THEY SAY, I USED TO BE A RESIDENT IN YOUR WARD. THEY FELL ON HARD TIMES. I HEAR THOSE STORIES. I CAME FROM A JOB FAIR IN WARD 7. I HEARD SOME SOLVE THESE STORIES. SOME OF THESE

STORIES. HOW DO WE TRACK THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE SYSTEM, WHERE THEY ARE. BASED ON THE WARD THEY WERE ORIGINALLY STARTED FROM. >> SO WE HAVE A LOT OF DATA, COUNCILMEMBER WHITE. I'M HAPPY TO WHO WORK

WITH YOUR OFFICE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE DATA POINTS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FOR YOUR WARD SPECIFICALLY. I'M VERY PROUD OF THE DA DATA THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SORT OF AMASS, AND WE HAVE DASHBOARDS WE

CAN SPARSE OUT BASED ON LOCATION. MAYBE WE CAN FOLLOW UP AND WORK SPECIFICALLY WITH YOUR OFFICE TO UNDERSTAND THE DATA POINTS THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO GET TO, AND WE WILL SEE WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT WE

CAN PREPARE FOR YOU. >> I WOULD LOVE THAT. AND ARE THERE ANY LEGISLATIVE CHANGES THAT YOU FEEL ARE NECESSARY FOR DHS TO BE ABLE TO SERVE AND IMPROVE OUTCOME TO OUR FAMILIES? >> NOT AT THE MOMENT,

COUNCILMEMBER. >> I WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW UP AT SOME POINT. I WON'T BE HERE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS HEARING, UNFORTUNATELY. MY STAFF WILL BE HERE. AS WE PREPARE FOR NOT JUST ERAP OR OTHER PROGRAMS

THEY ROLL OUT, SO I CAN FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BREAKDOWN IS, HOW IT HAS BEEN COMMUNICATED EFFECTIVELY. BECAUSE YOU KNOW, I KNOW THE DATE FOR ERAP VAGUELY. AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS,

CIVIC ASSOCIATION AGENCIES SHOULD KNOW. WE GET CALLS EVERY DAY ABOUT PEOPLE NEEDING OUR SERVICES. IT SHOULDN'T BE MISCONCEPTION OR MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT HOW IT IS ROLLED OUT OR WHEN IT IS ROLLED OUT.

WE WANT TO GET IT OUT TO THE RESIDENTS. YES. AND I HAVE THE DATE. IT IS GOING TO BE DECEMBER 3. WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE A BRIEFING WITH YOUR STAFF, COUNCILMEMBER, WITH MY TEAM SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND

YOURSELF THE PROCESS OF ERAP. WE WILL HAVE A MUCH MORE EXTENSIVE COMMUNICATION PLAN THIS YEAR, ESPECIALLY LEADING UP TO ERAP, BUT WE HAVE ALREADY SHARED THE DATA ON WOWR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA. IT

IS DECEMBER 3. WE ARE HAPPY TO TO TO FOLLOW UP WITH YOUR OFFI OFFICE, AND MY TM CAN GIVE MEMBERS OF YOUR TEAM AN OVERVIEW OF HOW ERAP IS GOING TO BE ROLLED OUT THIS YEAR. >> WHAT HAPPENS, IN YOUR

OPINION, BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN IT FROM US HAVING ABOUT $30 MILLION TO $40 MILLION TO $8 MILLION-- WHATEVER THE NUMBER IS NOW. VERY LOW. WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO DON'T MAKE IT IN? IS THERE ANY OTHER

ALTERNATIVE TO ERAP THAT WE ARE USING? >> THE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM DOES NOT HAVE-- DOES NOT OPERATE AS ERAP, OBVIOUSLY. WE CAN OFFER SOME LIMITED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS OR

FAMILIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOUSING CRISIS. THAT IS PROJECT CONNECT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES. >> ARE YOU WORKING WITH THE COLLABORATIVES AT ALL? >> WE HAVE SOME

CONTRACTS WITH THE COLLABORATIVES. I BELIEVE. FOR THE HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM. NO. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A CONTRACT. NO, WE DON'T HAVE A CONTRACT WITH OUR HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM. WE DO WORK

WITH THE COLLABORATIVES. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. CHAIR FRUMIN: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHITE. UPGOING TO PICK UP AGAIN. 29DCMR IS ABOUT THE ROLE OF PRIORITY DETERMINATIONS IN DETERMINING

WHETHER FAMILIES CAN ACCESS SHELTER AND WHAT THE GOAL OF DIRECTING FAMILIES WHO ARE THE MOST IN NEED TO SHELTER FIRST WHEN RESOURCES ARE LIMITED. DO FAMILIES CURRENTLY RECEIVE A NOTICE OF THEIR

PRIORITY DETERMINATION AS REQUIRED UNDER 2508.3? >> A PRIORITY DETERMINATION? >> YEAH. F THEY ARE ASSIGNED A PRIORI PRIORITY. DO THEY GET TOLD WHAT THAT PRIORITY IS? >> I HAVE TO LOOK INTO IT. I DO

KNOW THAT WE PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION FOR HOMELESS SERVICES AND THEN REFERRAL TO THE PROGRAM WOULD BE HPP OR DENIAL NOTICE WHEN SOMEBODY IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OR-- I GUESS INELIGIBLE NTSB, A

NOTICE OF INELIGIBILITY WHEN SOMEBODY IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR HOMELESS SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT. CHAIR FRUMIN: THAT IS THE UP OR DOWN. THEN THERE IS THE PRIORITIZATION WHICH SEEMS LIKE IT IS IN THE REGS

AND I GUESS, WHAT ROLE DOES THAT PRIORITIZATION PLAY AND ARE FOLKS MADE AWARE OF IT? YOU WILL LOOK INTO IT? >> I WILL LOOK INTO IT, YES. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. AND THEN ONE QUESTION WOULD BE WHETHER OR

NOT ANY FAMILIES WITHOUT A SAFE PLACE TO STAY BUT WITH A LOWER PRIORITY FINDING ARE THEN DIRECTED TO HPP. PART OF WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS A FAMILY DOESN'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY, THEN YOU PROVIDE

THEM SHELTER. >> YES. THE RULE OF SHELTER IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. CHAIR FRUMIN: SO THEY WOULDN'T GO TO-- IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY IN THAT MOMENT, THEY SHOULDN'T GO TO HPP.

THEY SHOULD GO TO SHELLER IS. AND THE PRIORITIZATION, TO WHAT THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PRIORITIZATION PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE AND THE OPERATIONS YOU LOOK AT, BUT IT WOULDN'T BE A BARRIER TO THEM

GETTING INTO SHELTER. >> RIGHT. THE PRIORITIZATION IS FOR FAMILIES WITHOUT A SAFE PLACE TO STAY THAT NIGHT. AS LONG AS SOMEBODY HAS A SAFE PLACE TO STAY, IF IT IS SAFE, WE WILL TRY TO DIVERT THEM FROM

THE HOMELESS SERVICES. FROM THE SHELTER. HOMELESS SERVICES. WE WILL TRY TO PREVENT THEM FROM EXPERIENCING AN EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS. COMING TO SHELTER AND EXPERIENCE AN EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS. THAT

IS WHAT WE TRY TO PREVENT. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. SO YOU GUYS PROVIDE A BUNCH OF DATA THIS MORNING THAT HELPED CLARIFY THINGS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND IT. BEFORE I GET INTO THAT,

THOUGH, I DO-- IT IS INTRIGUING, THE RELATIONSHIP OF PROJECT RECONNECT AND HPP AND ERAP. AND IT VERY WELL COULD BE THAT HPP AND PROJECT CONNECT ARE SUPERIOR ANSWER TO ERAP. AND SO I THINK THAT IS A

CONVERSATION THAT IS WORTH HAVING. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN IS IF YOU ARE ONLY ELIGIBLE FOR HPP, IF THERE IS THE IMMINENT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS, DO YOU NEED TO BE IN THE EVICTION PROCESS AND

FAR ALONG IN AN EVEKS PROCESS IN ARE THERE PEOPLE WHO CURRENTLY MIGHT BE HELPED BY ERAP WHO COULDN'T BE ABLE TO BE HELPED BY HPP? AND I THINK WE WILL SEE THAT MORE CLEARLY WHEN YOUR REGULATIONS COME

OUT. I WONDER IF YOU WANT TO REACT. >> YEAH. SO ERAP IS OPEN A DAY A YEAR. RIGHT? SO IT IS A DIFFERENT PROGRAM IN TERMS OF, LIKE, THE AMOUNT THAT WE CAN-- THAT IS WRITTEN IN THE REGULATIONS AND SO

FORTH. THERE ARE SOME INSTANCES WHERE HPP IS A BETTER INTERVENTION THAN ERAP. THAT IS WHY WE DON'T OFTENTIMES FAMILIES TO WAIT FOR ERAP TO OPEN BECAUSE 50% OF THE FAMILIES OR THE HOUSEHOLDS WHO APPLY

FOR ERAP ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ERAP. ERAP IS A SPECIFIC INTERVENTION AND PROJECT CONNECT AND HPP ARE TOOLS THAT WE HAVE YEAR-ROUND THAT WE ARE ABLE TO IN SOME LIMITED CASES, PROVIDE SOME BACK-RENT AND SO

FORTH. THEY OPERATE AS A CONTINUUM OR OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES OR HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING A HOUSING CRISIS. CHAIR FRUMIN: YOU COULD THROW INTO THAT MIX AND WE ARE WAITING TO SEE THE DATA ON D.C. PLEX.

THAT IS ANOTHER ONE OF THESE TOOLS. FIGURING OUT THE RIGHT TOOL AND RIGHT SETTING, I THINK, IS TRICKY. >> EXACTLY. CHAIR FRUMIN: THAT IS WHY HPP IS TURNING INTO ONE OF THE BIGGER ONES. $9 MILLION FOR

HPP IS MORE THAN THERE IS FOR ERAP. I FORGET HOW MUCH MONEYS IF FOR D.C. PLEX. I DON'T THINK IT IS AT THAT LEVEL. IT CAN'T BE A BLACK BOX. IT HAS TO BE ONE THAT EARN UNDERSTANDS AND THE RULES ARE LAID

OUT. >> ABSOLUTELY. THE BIG DIFFERENCE I CAN SAY WITH HPP AND ERAP IS THAT HPP COMES WITH CASE MANAGEMENT. ERAP DOES NOT COME WITH CASE MANAGEMENT. HPP IS A TOOL TO HELP FAMILIES NAVIGATE DIFFICULT--

HOW TO GET A LEASE, OR YOU KNOW, HOW TO GET CONNECTED TO ADDITIONAL SERVICES. SO THAT IS-- WE REALLY BELIEVE IN THAT INTERVENTION BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THEY CAN GET DIFFERENT SERVICES THAN JUST COMING

INTO SHELTER. THEY CAN GET SIMILAR SERVICES, BUT THEY ARE ABLE TO AVOID A STAT. THE GOAL IS TO GET SOMEONE IN HOUSING THEY CAN SUSTAIN ON THEIR OWN. THEY COME INTO A SHELTER THAT IS GOING TO BE

DISRUPTIVE. THAT IS THREE OR FOUR MONTHS BEFORE LEAVING AND THEN GOING TO ANOTHER HOUSING INTERVENTION. IF WE CAN SKIP THAT ONE STOP OF COMING TO SHELTER AND THEN LEAVING TO SHELTER TO JUST MOVING

DIRECTLY INTO A PERMANENT HOUSING SITUATION, WE THINK THAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE FAMILIES IN TERMS OF STABILITY. SHELTER IS NOT TABLE. IT IS NOT PERMANENT HOUSING. IF WE COULD AVOID SHELTER

TO MOVE A FAMILY TOWARDS A PERMANENT AND SUSTAINABLE HOUSING INTERVENTION, WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE FAMILY. IF A FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY, SHELTER IS ABSOLUTE

THROUGH THE RIGHT INTERVENTION. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. SO LOOKING AT THE DATA, JUST TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS. AM I RIGHT IN SAYING THAT IN FY-26, THERE WERE 2,9,44 UNIQUE FAMILY THAT IS PRESENTED

TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS FOR A TOTAL OF $4,996 ASSESSMENTS, AND IF THAT IS RIGHT THEN PRESUMABLY, SOME OF THOSE UNIQUE FAMILIES PRESENTED MORE THAN ONCE IN ONE YEAR AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. >> RIGHT. THAT IS

CORRECT. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. THAT ONLY 14% OR 710 OF THOSE ASSESSMENTS LED TO SHORT-TERM FAMILY HOUSING PLACEMENTS. YEAH. >> YES. CHAIR FRUMIN: 52%, 2,590 2S OF THEM LEAD-- LED TO HPP REFERRALS. ON

THE HPP REFERRALS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP IN THE TESTIMONY, I THINK SOMEBODY SAID THAT A PERSON MIGHT BE OFFERED SIX MONTHS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE IF IF THEY LEFT THE JURISDICTION. THEY MIGHT

GET FEWER MONTHS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE IF THEY STAY IN THE JURISDICTION, BUT IF THEY GET THE SIX MONTHS TO LEAVE THE JURISDICTION, THE MESSAGE IS THEY CAN'T COME BACK. CAN YOU REACT TO THAT CLAIM? I

COULD SEE A WORLD WHERE THERE IS A POT OF MONEY YOU CAN HAVE IF YOU STAY. AND THERE IS A POT OF MONEY YOU CAN GET IF YOU GO, AND THAT IS BIGGER, AND SO YOU NEED TO HAVE SOME KIND OF GUARD AGAINST

PEOPLE TAKING THE LARGER AMOUNT AND THEN AVOIDING THE OTHER CAP. HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMIC IN THAT SETTING. >> AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PHRASE IT CORRECTLY SO WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY

SAYING HEY, WE ARE GOING TO OFFER MORE MONEY FOR YOU TO GO. RIGHT? WE KNOW THAT WHAT WE WANT TO BE IS PARTNERS WITH FAMILIES TO MAKE A CHOICE FOR THEM THAT IS SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM. OUR SYSTEM HAS

CHANGED. FRSP WAS ALMOST OPERATING AS AN ENTITLEMENT. A FAMILY WOULD COME INTO THE SHELTER. WE DO KNOW NOW THAT WHILE IT WAS A GREAT INTERVENTION AT THE TIME, WHAT WE HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM FAMILIES, IT

IS NOT NECESSARILY THE RIGHT TOOL BECAUSE OF THE HOUSING COSTS IN THE DISTRICT AND OFTENTIMES, FAMILIES ARE NOT ABLE TO SUSTAIN THEIR RENT AT THE END OF THE FRSP. WE ARE HEARING FROM LANDLORDS THAT IT

IS A CONCERN. WE ARE HEARING FROM FAMILIES THAT IT IS A CONCERN. WE HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT FOR FAMILIES, WHY IS THE INTERVENTION AND THE SUPPORT ONLY AVAILABLE TO STAY IN THE DISTRICT. BECAUSE IN TERMS

OF A SUSTAINABLE PATH, THEY MAY WANT TO MOVE OUTSIDE OF THE DISTRICT BECAUSE HOUSING OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION IS MORE AFFORDABLE. AS TO CREATE AN INTERVENTION THAT ALSO MEETS THE NEEDS FOR FAMILIES

WHO CHOOSE TO RELOCATE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT THIS CHOICE IS MORE SUSTAINABLE FOR THEIR FAMILIES, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE DISTRICT HAS MORE RESOURCES SOMETIMES THAN OTHER JURISDICTIONS. SO IF WE

WANT TO HELP A FAMILY TO MOVE TOWARDS A MORE SUSTAINABLE PATH, THEY MAY NEED LONGER HELP, IN TERMS OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY MAY MOVE TO A JURISDICTION THAT DOES NOT HAVE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

IN THE DISTRICT. THAT IS THE REASON. WE CONTINUE TO. -- IF A FAMILY DECIDES THAT THIS IS INSUFFICIENT INTERVENTION FOR THEMSELVES, WE DO HELP THE THEM ESTABLISH RESIDENCY AND THE JURY DICTI DICTION--

IN THE JURISDICTION THAT THEY CHOOSE TO MOVE TO. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. I SEE COUNCILMEMBER WHITE IS WAITING. I HAVE GONE A LITTLE BIT OVER. I THINK WE ARE GETTING CLOSER. COUNCILMEMBER WHITE, IF YOU ARE

READY. >> YEAH. I'M JUST LISTENING TO THIS MOMENT, CHAIRMAN FRUMIN. CHAIR FRUMIN: ALL RIGHT. GREAT. LY KEEP GOING, THEN. IN THE DATA, 27% OR 1,372 OF THE ASSESSMENTS LED TO FINDINGS OF INELIGIBILITY.

IS THERE A BREAKDOWN SOMEWHERE? WHAT WAS THE BASIS FOR'M OF THOSE FINDINGS? >> I'M SURE THERE IS A BREAKDOWN SOMEWHERE. I DON'T KNOW IF I KNOW THE BREAKDOWN. I CAN TELL YOU THE CATEGORIES FOR WHICH

SOMEBODY COULD BE FOUND TO BE INELIGIBLE. IF SOMEBODY DOES NOT HAVE MANY CHILDREN. THEY COME AND ASSESS. THEY DON'T HAVE CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILDREN. THE CHILDREN MAY HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, REMOVED, FOR

EXAMPLE. AND IF THE GOAL IS NOT UNIFICATION, THEY MAY BE DENIED SHELTER. >> THEY ARE-- WE DO CHECK IF A FAMILY IS RECEIVING-- HAS ESTABLISHED RESIDENCY IN A NEIGHBORING JURISDICTION. EVERYTHING IS

BENEFITS FROM A NEIGHBORING JURISDICTION. SO THEY ARE-- THEY HAVE ALREADY ESTABLISHED RESIDENCE SOMEWHERE ELSE. THEY MAY BE DENIED SHELTER. CHAIR FRUMIN: YEAH. I SEE IT. YOU DID PROVIDE THIS DATA. I

MEAN, THE BIGGEST, TWO-THIRDS OF THEM ARE A FINDING OF ACCESS TO SAFE HOUSING. WHICH-- THAT IS 916. I GUESS THAT GETS INTO SUB JEKTIVITY SUBJECTIVITY ABOUT WHAT IS SAFE HOUSING AND WHAT'S NOT. THIS IS

AN AREA THAT I THINK IS GOING T CONTINUE-- IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE UNDER SCRUTINY. CAN YOU BREAK DOWN THE DUPLICATE DV OR INTERIM ELIGIBILITY NUMBERS? ARE THOSE IEP, THE INTERIM ELIGIBILITY FAM

LIPS ALSO IN THE SHORT-TERM FAMILY HOUSING GROUP? AND THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FAMILIES IN THE INELIGIBILITY GROUP. IF SOMEBODY GETS INTERIM ELIGIBILITY, AND THEY EVENTUALLY QUALIFY, DO THEY APPEAR IN

BOTH PLACES? DO THEY APPEAR AS INTERIM ELIGIBILITY AND SHORT-TERM FAMILY HOUSING BECAUSE TWO WEEKS LATER THEY GOT SCHOR-TERM FAMILY HOUSING? >> WHEN YOU SAY THEY APPEAR, WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY APPEAR?

CHAIR FRUMIN: IN THE TABLE THAT YOU PROVIDED THAT SHOWS, THE TABLE YOU PROVIDED SHOWS SHORT-TERM FAMILY HOUSING. IT IS THE FIRST CATEGORY. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, FOUR CATEGORIES DOWN ARE ALL DUPLICATE

IEP. >> YES. THEY APPEAR IN BOTH. CHAIR FRUMIN: THEY ARE IN BOTH. OKAY. AND THE DELTA BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF ASSESSMENTS AND THE FAMILIES ASSESSED. SOME FAMILIES ARE ASSESSED MULTIPLE TIMES. >> FOR A

DIFFERENT SERVICE EYES. FOR A DIFFERENT SERVICE, YES. CHAIR FRUMIN: AND THEN AFT AFTER-- IS IT IN THE DATA HOW MANY FAMILIES PRESENTED ONCE IN A YEAR, TWICE IN A YEAR, THREE TIMES IN A YEAR? >> WELL,

WE KNOW THAT FROM FAMILIES WHO WERE REFERRED TO HPP, THAT ABOUT 50% MAY HAVE COME BACK TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS WITHIN A YEAR. BUT IT COULD BE JUST A CONTINUATION OF HPP OR A DIFFERENT INTERVENTION. CHAIR

FRUMIN: IT WOULD BE INTERESTING AND MAYBE AFTER THIS. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS ABOUT HPP IS TO WHAT EXTENT IS IT SUSTAINABLE? IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE, OKAY, WE HAD THESE-- WE HAD 500 FAMILIES THAT

PRESENTED TWICE. 300 FAMILIES THAT PRESENTED THREE TIMES. AND MAYBE THAT CLOSES THAT GAP BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES AND THE NUMBER OF ASSESSMENTS. AND THEN WHAT WERE THE REMEDIES FOR THOSE GROUPS

SO THAT YOU COULD SEE, OH, ARE WE GETTING A WHOLE LOT OF FAMILIES THAT PRESENT TWICE WHO WERE ON HPP? OR SOMETHING DIFFERENT BECAU BECAUSE-- AND I DO THINK THE QUESTION OF WHAT PERCENTAGE OF TIME HPP

WORKS, THAT YOU GIVE SOMEBODY A BOOST, AND YOU NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN. WHAT SUCCESS IN THAT SPACE-- HOW DO YOU SEE SUCCESS IN THAT SPACE IN. >> SUCCESS IS PREVENTING AN EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS.

COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN, A FAMILY COMES INTO THE SHELTER. THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A VOUCHER. THEY COME BACK INTO SHELTER. RIGHT? IN THAT CASE, THEY EXIT THE SHELTER AND THEY ARE BACK IN THE SHELTER.

I'M NOT SURE IF THAT IS A SUCCESS EITHER. I THINK WE WOULD AGREE THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY A SUCCESS IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO STOP THE RECURRENCE OF HOMELESSNESS. RIGHT? WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FAMILIES

DO NOT HAVE TO COME INTO SHELTER WHERE WE KNOW IT IS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION, TO GET ACCESS FOR HOMELESS SERVICES. SHELTER SHOULD BE A LAST RESORT IF A FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. WE CAN

HELP THEM RELOCATE TO A SUSTAINABLE HOUSING PATH. WE WILL FOCUS ON DOING THAT. CHAIR FRUMIN: NO. I HEAR YOU ON THAT. I MEAN, I THINK, AS I LOOK AT IT, IF A FAMILY-- AND WE TOURED TOGETHER A BUNCH OF

THESE PLACES. THEY ARE QUITE GOOD. F AND THEY HELP PEOPLE GET ON THEIR FEET. AND SO IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW, OKAY, WITH THAT REMEDY, YOU GET A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF FOLKS WHO ARE ABLE TO GET

ON A SUSTAINABLE PATH AND SUCCEED, AN THAT JUSTIFIES THAT PATH. ON HPP, THERE IS A REMEDY, AND IT HAS SOME SUPPORTS, LESS SUPPORTS. BUT-- WELL, YOU THINK THE SAME AMOUNT AS IN THE SHELTER? >> YEAH.

THE SUPPORT IS DIFFERENT. THEY GET CASE MANAGEMENT AS WELL. IT IS NOT PLACE-BASED SUPPORT. YOU KNOW? THEY ALSO GET CASE MANAGEMENT. THEY ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO SERVICES. THEY ARE ABLE TO GIVE THEM TO

LONG-TERM SOLUTION. SHELTER, YES. THEY HELP THEM GET CONNECTED TO EMPLOYMENT IN ORDER TO MAYBE GO TO FRSP TO GET THEM CONNECTED TO A PROVIDER AND THOSE SAME SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH HPP. CHAIR

FRUMIN: SO I HEAR YOU. IT IS NOT-- IT IS PRETTY THICK IN THE PLACE THAT IS WE VISITED. WE DON'T NEED-- IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW HOW OFTEN THAT SUCCEEDS IN THE FIRST TRY. AND HOW OFTEN IT TAKES

TWO OR THREE OR IT NEVER REALLY GETS IT DONE, AND THERE IS A DIFFERENT SOLUTION THAT IS REQUIRED. I THINK AS WE EVALUATE THESE THINGS, BECAUSE I DO THINK WE ARE SEEING A PROLIFERATION OF TOOLS WHICH

IS GOOD, AND FIGURING OUT WHERE DO WE PUT OUR WEIGHT IS IMPORTANT, AND DATA IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT IN MAKING THAT EVALUATION. >> AGREED. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. SO IN TERMS OF THE DELTA BETWEEN THE

TOTAL NUMBER OF FAMILIES AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ASSESSMENTS, IN FY-25, YOU HAD 3,600 FAMILIES AND 4,200 ASSESSMENTS. THAT IS NOT EXACTLY RIGHT. YOU HAD A DELTA OF 600. IN 2026, YOU HAVE 2,900

FAMILIES AND 4,900 ASSESSMENTS. THE DELTA IS 2,000. YOU GO FROM A DELTA-- YOU HAVE 600 ASSESSMENTS THAT WERE MULTIPLE FOR ONE FAMILY IN '25, AND 2,000 ASSESSMENTS THAT WERE MULTIPLE FOR A FAMILY IN

2026. HOW DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? WHAT MIGHT BE GOING ON THERE? >> THE ASSESSMENT AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS? CHAIR FRUMIN: YEAH. >> BECAUSE WE HAVE INVESTED BROADLY IN HPP. YOU KNOW, WE ARE ALSO MARKETING

THIS INTERVENTION FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY. IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING THAT FOLKS UNDERSTAND THEY CAN COME TO US YEAR-ROUND FOR MORE THAN JUST SHELTER SERVICES. THEY COME

TO GET CONNECTED TO CHILD CARE. THEY COME TO GET CONNECTED SOMETIMES TO-- WHEN ERAP RUNS OUT, THEY DO COME TO TRY TO SEE IF THEY CAN RECEIVE SOME RENTAL ASSISTANCE. CHAIR FRUMIN: SO YEAH, I MEAN, MORE

PEOPLE ARE COMING BACK FOR A SECOND ASSESSMENT IN FY-26 THAN IN FY-25. AND MAYBE THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. THERE IS ALSO CONSIDERABLY MORE WEIGHT ON HPP, AND I MAY BE THAT A NUMBER OF THOSE ARE

PEOPLE WHO WENT INTO HPP AND ONE ROUND OF HPP WAS NOT ENOUGH AND IT TOOK MULTIPLE ROUNDS. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS THE ANSWER. >> OR MAYBE THEY WERE NOT ENROLLED IN HPP AND THEY CAME TO VIRGINIA

WILLIAMS FOR A DIFFERENT INTERVENTION. CHAIR FRUMIN: SO THIS, THIS GOES BACK TO WHAT I WAS SAYING BEFORE ABOUT FOLLOWING UP WITH SOME KIND OF A TABLE THAT SHOWS HOW MANY FOLKS WERE THERE TWICE, HOW

MANY FOLKS WERE THERE THREE TIMES, AND WHAT WERE THE REMEDIES THAT WERE PROVIDED FOR THOSE PEOPLE. I'M SPECULATING ABOUT WHAT IT MIGHT BE. A TABLE WOULD HELP US TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. >> OKAY. WE

CAN GET THAT FOR YOU. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. NEXT IS THE ROLE OF THE SHELTER. DHS'S WEBSITE SAYS THAT INTAKES ARE CONDUCTED OVER THE HOT LINE. WE AND DHS HAVE BEEN TELLING FAMILIES TO GO RIGHT TO

VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE SHELTER HOT LINE IN GENERATING OR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS? >> AFTER VIRGINIA WILLIAMS IS OPEN FROM 9:00 TO 5:00 MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. IT GOES UNTIL 12:00

ON FRIDAYS. FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOUSING STABILITY OR CRISIS OVER THE WEEKEND AND AFTER HOURS, THE HOT LINE IS STILL ABLE TO DO INTAKES AND ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION AFTER HOURS. CHAIR FRUMIN: DURING

BUSINESS HOURS, IS THE HOT LINE NOT DOING THAT? YOU GO TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS? >> THEY CAN GO THROUGH THE HOT LINE, TOO. THERE ARE FOLKS ASSIGNED TO THE HOT LINE DURING BUSINESS HOURS. CHAIR FRUMIN: BUT

AND THE HOT LINE-- THE FOLKS ON THE HOT LINE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO REVIEW DOCUMENTS? >> YES. THEY CAN DO THE FULL ASSESSMENT. IT COULD BE A WAIT-- WE ONLY HAVE TWO STAFF ASSIGNED TO THE HOT LINE DURING

BUSINESS HOURS. OBVIOUSLY, THE WAIT WOULD BE LONGER THAN IF YOU COME TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS WHERE WE HAVE MORE STAFF. CHAIR FRUMIN: BUT HOW IS IT-- DO PEOPLE UPLOAD THEIR DOCUMENTS? >> SO THE ASSESSMENT

IS SOMETHING THAT STAFF HAS BEEN TRAINED AND THEY CAN DO THE ASSESSMENT OVER THE PHONE. CHAIR FRUMIN: THEY CAN DO THE ASSESSMENT. TO THE EXTENT THAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED, YOU MAY HAVE TO GO INTO

VIRGINIA WILLIAMS DURING OFFICE HOURS? OR THERE IS ANOTHER WAY TO DO THAT? >> THAT IS ACTUALLY A GOOD QUESTION IN TERMS OF HOW THE ASSESSMENT-- THE DOCUMENTS ARE PROVIDED DURING THE HOT LINE. MAYBE.

CHAIR FRUMIN: I MEAN, I WONDER REALISTICALLY IF-- IT MAY BE THAT THERE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE THE LACK OF DOCUMENTS ISN'T THE ISSUE, AND YOU CAN GO IMMEDIATELY AND GET SOLVED THROUGH THE HOT LINE. IT

MAY ALSO BE THAT THE HOT LINE IS A TOOL ONE COULD USE TO GET CLARITY ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT YOU NEED TO BRING IN TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. I THINK THE MESSAGING ABOUT WHAT IS THE HOT LINE, WHAT CAN YOU

ACHIEVE AND WITH WHAT MATERIALS SHOULD BE CLEAR. SO THAT FOLKS DON'T CALL THE HOT LINE AND IT TURNS OUT TO BE A DEAD END FOR THEM BECAUSE THERE IS THINGS THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ON THE HOT LINE. EVEN IF

IT DOESN'T GET YOU TO CLOSURE, IT CAN ADVANCE IT IS SO THAT WHEN YOU GO IN, THINGS GO MORE SMOOTHLY. DOES THE SHELTER HOT LINE HAVE SOMEONE FROM VIRGINIA WILLIAMS CALL FAMILIES BACK TO CONTINUE THE

ASSESSMENT PROCESS OVER THE PHONE, OR DOES, DO THE FOLKS ON THE HOT LINE JUST TELL THEM TO KOH TO COME AND PRESENT AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS? >> THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS TO PRESENT THE

DOCUMENTATION. CHAIR FRUMIN: WHAT'S THAT? >> THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME INTO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS TO PRESENT THE DOCUMENTATION. CHAIR FRUMIN: GO AHEAD. NO, NO. >> THEY CAN COMPLETE THE APPLICATION, THE

ASSESSMENT OVER THE PHONE. CHAIR FRUMIN: THEY CAN DO THE ASSESSMENT. IN ORDER TO CLOSE THE DEAL AND PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTATION, THEY HAVE TO COME INTO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. >> AFTER HOURS, IF A FAMILY

DOESN'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY, THEY WILL STILL BRING THEM INTO SHELTER AND ASK THEM TO PRESENT TO VIRGINIA WILLIAMS IN THE MORNING. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. WHAT ROLE DOES VWF VWFRC.CONCERNS@DCGOAF

PLAY PLAY? >> IT IS TO REACH OUT IF ANYONE HAS CONCERNS. THEY FEEL A CASE WAS NOT PROCESSED VERY WELL. IF THEY HAVE ANY CONCERNS, THERE IS A WAY FOR US TO GATHER FEEDBACK ALSO. WE HAVE-- I BELIEVE

THAT ALL OF THE CONCERN HAS MOVED INTO OUR SYSTEM THAT WE CREATED AN ONLINE PORTAL WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN SUBMIT A CONCERN. SO THAT I CAN ALSO SORT OF-- IT CAN ACT LIKE A TRIAGE AND WE CAN SEE WHAT

RESIDENTS ARE ULTIMATELY CONCERNED ABOUT, INCLUDING LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SO FORTH. I BELIEVE THAT WAS AN EMAIL CREATED TO PROVIDE WHERE A RESIDENT COULD SUBMIT A CONCERN. >> CHAIR FRUMIN: AND

WHO MONITORS IT? HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET REPORTS OF WHAT HAS BEEN CONVEYED THROUGH THAT EMAIL? >> NOT ANYONE WITH THE EMAIL. QUARTERLY, IN OUR SYSTEM, I DO GET UPDATES AROUND WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS. CHAIR

FRUMIN: SO I GUESS, I MEAN, WE HEARD TESTIMONY ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS HERE ABOUT IF THERE IS A FAMILY THAT DOESN'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY, I THINK YOU ARE TELLING

ME THEY GET SHELTER. >> YES. CHAIR FRUMIN: AND THEN A QUESTION IS HOW LONG CAN THAT TAKE, AND DO THEY GET-- WHILE YOU ARE MAKING THE ASSESSMENT, DO THEY GET A CALL THAT SENDS THEM TO SHELTER OR MIGHT

THEY HAVE TO WAIT THROUGH THE NIGHT, WAIT THROUGH A NIGHT IN ORDER TO GET SHELTER? >> IF THEY DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO STAY THAT NIGHT, THEY WILL COME INTO SHELTER. THEY CAN COME IN UNDER INTERIM

ELIGIBILITY. THEY WILL COME INTO SHELTER. IF THEY ARE IN OUR OFFICES, AND WE ARE STILL WORKING ON COMPLETING THEIR ASSESSMENTS, SHELTER HOT LINE WILL PICK THEM UP. OUR TRANSPORTATION HOT LINE WILL

PICK THEM UP AND TAKE THEM TO SHELTER. IF THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO GET TO SHELTER ON THEIR OWN BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO KIND OF GET THEIR BELONGINGS, THEN WE ALSO CONTACT THE SHELTER, WHERE THEY HAVE

BEEN ASSIGNED TO LET THEM KNOW TO EXPECT TO RECEIVE THE FAMILIES. WE DO HAVE FAMILIES WHO NO-SHOW EVEN AFTER GETTING APPROVED FOR SHELTER. CHAIR FRUMIN: SO I MEAN, TAKING A BUNCH OF THE TESTIMONY

TOGETHER THAT-- WE MAY HAVE PEOPLE COME TO US AND SAY THEY COULDN'T GET INTO SHELTER, AND THAT IS AN ISSUE. WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN SAYING IS, LACK OF DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE

DOCUMENTATION, IF THEY DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY, THEY WILL GO INTO SHELTER ON INTERIM ELIGIBILITY BASIS. >> YES. CHAIR FRUMIN: AND SO THE ONLY BASIS, WHY THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GO INTO

SHELTER THAT NIGHT IS IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. >> I MEAN, I WOULD HOPE THAT MY TEAM IS NOT JUST RELYING ON THEIR OWN OPINION BECAUSE WE

HAVE A PROCESS TO VERIFY THAT THE FAMILY HAS A SAFE PLACE TO STAY, SO WE CAN TRY TO PRESERVE A PLACEMENT WHETHER IT IS THROUGH MEDIATION AND SO FORTH. I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT INDIVIDUAL CASES FOR

TODAY. BUT SAY, A YOUNG MOM WHO GETS INTO A FIGHT WITH HER MOTHER AND WANTS TO COME INTO SHELTER, BUT THE MOTHER SAYS NO, MY CHILD AND MY GRANDCHILD CAN STAY IN MY HOME. THEN WE WORK ON MEDIATION. WE

AGREE THAT THE BEST INTEREST FOR THAT YOUNG MOM IS PROBABLY TO STILL WORK ON THE RELATIONSHIP WITH HER MOM AS LONG AS IT IS SAFE. THAT PERSON IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE THE BEST PERSON TO BE PART OF HER

SUPPORT SYSTEM. SO THIS IS TO WORK ON MEDIATION AND SO FORTH. SO FAMILIES COME IN WITH DIVERSE NEEDS. I AM PROUD THAT WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT CAN WORK ON MEDIATION AND HELP KEEP FAMILIES CONNECTED TO

THEIR COMMUNITY BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, A GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO REPLACE WHAT A COMMUNITY CAN SUPPORT-- CAN DO TO SUPPORT FAMILIES. WE CHECK FOR SAFETY FIRST. OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE

SURE OUR COMMUNITY IS SAFE AND OUR CHILDREN ARE SAFE. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE CO-LOCATED. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE NO CHILD IN THE DISTRICT IS EVER SLEEPING ON THE STREET BECAUSE A FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE A SAFE

PLACE TO STAY. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. PART OF THE REASON I'M ASKING THIS IS BECAUSE WE DO GET EMAILS, AND SO AS WE GET EMAILS FROM PEOPLE, I THINK WE SHOULD FOCUS IN ON-- I MEAN, IF SOMEBODY COMES TO US

AND SAYS THEY COULDN'T GET SHELT SHELTER, NOT BECAUSE THERE WAS A FINDING THAT THERE WAS-- THAT THEY HAD A SAFE PLACE TO STAY BUT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE DOCUMENTS, THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. >> YEAH.

COUNCILMEMBER, YOU KNOW IF YOU CALL ME, I WILL ANSWER. IF THERE IS A CASE THAT SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY AND THEY CONTACT YOUR OFFICE, PLEASE CONTACT M ME, AND WE CAN LOOK INTO THE

CASE. I THINK THAT WHAT CAN HAPPEN IS THAT THEY MAY NOT GET THE RESOLUTION THAT THEY WOULD HAVE PREFERRED. IF WE ARE INVESTING SO BROADLY IN HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAMS, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE

ADMINISTER THESE PROGRAMS AND THAT WE USE THE FUNDING THAT WAS MADE AVAILABLE FOR THESE PROGRAMS. BUT I WILL SAY AGAIN, THAT IN THE DISTRICT, YOU WILL NOT SEE A CHILD SLEEPING ON THE STREET. YOU CAN

GO IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND SEE. THAT I'M VERY PROUD TO WORK IN JURISDICTION THAT THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO US. IN ORDER FOR US TO BE ABLE TO KIND OF CONTINUE THIS POLICY, THAT EMERGENCY SHELTER IS

THE LAST RESORT FOR FAMILIES WHO DO NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. CHAIR FRUMIN: AND I HEAR YOU. YOU HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THE LANDSCAPE ON THIS. WHICH IS IF IT TURNED

OUT TO BE THE CASE THAT THE BARRIER HAD BEEN LACK OF DOCUMENTATION, THAT WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS THAT YOU HAVE. >> YES. CHAIR FRUMIN: IF THE, BUT IT MAY BE THAT MORE FREQUENTLY IT IS-- I

KNOW YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE USE OF THE WORD OPINION. YOUR DAUGHTER DOESN'T WANT TO GO BACK TO GRANDMA, AND YOU GUYS LOOK AT IT AND THINK, NO, YOU HAVE, AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, A PLACE TO GO, EVEN IF IT

ISN'T YOUR FAVORITE PLACE. SO IT COULD BE THAT. AND SO THAT IS THE PLACE WE SHOULD BE LOOKING IN. IF IT'S THAT, THEN YOU CAN BE CONFIDENT IN YOUR-- IN THE OPINION OF YOUR TEAM, BUT THERE IS A

DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. THE DAUGHTER THINKS NO. >> IF THE DAUGHTER SAYS THIS IS NOT A SAFE PLACE TO STAY AND YOU KNOW, SHE MENTIONS ANYTHING, YOU KNOW, TO DO WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WE MILDLY STOP THE

ASSESSMENT. WE REFER TO DASH. I CAN'T SPEAK TO HOW DASH OR ANY OTHER DV PROVIDER DOES THEIR ASSESSMENTS. THEY HAVE A WAY TO ASSESS THEMSELVES. WE ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE AN ASSESSMENT ON WHETHER OR NOT

SOMEBODY IS EXPEERNING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THEIR HOME. WHO THAT IS NOT OUR ROLE. THAT IS WE WE HAVE PARTNERS WHO WILL DO THAT ASSESSMENT. CHAIR FRUMIN: I THINK YOU USED THE WORD CO-LOCATED. IS IT

THAT DASH IS THERE? >> DASH HAS AN OFFICE, A CUBICLE. THEY HAVE STAFF. AT OUR OFFICES. CHAIR FRUMIN: CFSA HAS THE SAME THING. >> ABSOLUTELY. CHAIR FRUMIN: IT IS NOT LIKE, OH, LET ME CALL -- >> THEY

ARE RIGHT THERE WHEN YOU WALK OVER. YES. CHAIR FRUMIN: OKAY. AND HOW LONG IF I PRESENTED IT AND I HAD MY FAMILY WITH ME AND I WAS LOOKING FOR SHELTER AND I CAME AT 10:00 IN THE MORNING, HOW LONG

SHOULD IT TAKE BEFORE WE KNOW HOW LONG UNTIL I GET SHELTER THAT NIGHT AND I AND MY FAMILY WILL GET SHELTER THAT NIGHT EVEN IF IT'S ONLY ON THE INTO ELIGIBILITY BASIS? >> IT REALLY DEPENDS. IF YOU COME

WITH YOUR DOCUMENTATION AND EVERYTHING IS RIGHT THERE, IT TAKES THE WAIT TIME OF ABOUT 30 TO 45 MINUTES. MAY DETERMINE OR MAKE A RECOMMENDATION. IF WE HAVE IT ON OUR WEBSITE -- ONE OF THE ACCEPTABLE

DOCUMENTATION, THEN THE FAMILY IS GOING TO BE REFERRED OR TO PLACEMENT. IT IS NOT A REQUIREMENT. WE ARE NOT GOING TO SAY YOU DON'T GET SHELTER. THE PURPOSE OF THIS INFORMATION IS TO SEE HOW MUCH

PREVENTION AND DIVERSION CAN HAPPEN IF YOU HAVE A SUPPORT SYSTEM. >> THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY NEXT QUESTION. WHEN SOMEBODY SAID THEY WERE DENIED OR THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS -- I FORGET EXACTLY HOW IT

CAME UP -- BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE IT. YOU ARE SAYING THAT SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE? >> THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PURE COUNCILMEMBER, IF THIS CASE IS PRESENTED TO ME AND I AM HAPPY TO LOOK AT IT,

BUT THAT IS NOT PART OF OUR POLICY AND THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. >> I HEAR YOU THAT YOU CANNOT SAY -- THERE IS NOT A SPECIFIC TIME. IT'S GOING TO BE AN ASSESSMENT PROCESS BUT EVEN IF THERE IS NOT

DOCUMENTATION, IF THE COMPELLING CASES MAY -- THEY DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY, THEN THEY SHOULD GET INTERIM ELIGIBILITY PLACEMENT. HOW FREQUENTLY DO FAMILIES LEAVE THE BUILDING WITHOUT A

DETERMINATION AT ALL WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE GOING TO BE PLACED AT NIGHT? DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF THAT? >> TWO THINGS WOULD HAPPEN. IF SOMEBODY COMES TO A SHELTER, THEY CAN BE FOUND ELIGIBLE FOR

HOMELESS SERVICES WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO SHELTER OR IN ELIGIBLE FOR HOMELESS SERVICES. THAT MEANS THEY DON'T MEET THE CRITERIA FOR COMING INTO THE PROGRAM SO THEY WILL LEAVE WITH SOME TYPE OF

DETERMINATION AND IF THEY ARE NOT YET ELIGIBLE, THEY CAN GET BROUGHT IN UNDER INTERIM ELIGIBILITY SO THEY WILL KNOW ULTIMATELY THAT -- IF THE FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY THAT NIGHT,

UNLESS THEY ARE FOUND TO BE INELIGIBLE, THEN THEY CAN COME IN TO SHELTER. QUOTES ARE THOSE DETERMINATIONS ALL MADE BETWEEN 9:00 AND 5:00 OR DO THEY SOMETIMES CARRY OVER? >> THEY CAN CARRY OVER. >> IF

THEY CARRY OVER INTO THE NIGHT, DOES THE FAMILY GET A CALL? DOES THE FAMILY GET A RIDE? >> IF THEY ARE IN THE OFFICE, IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET IN TO FINISH THE ASSESSMENT. >> SEE IF ANYONE CAN

OFFER A FAMILY A PLACE TO STAY. HOW MANY CONTACTS ARE APPLICANTS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE BEFORE THEY ARE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR SHELTER? YOU SAID IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SIX BUT HOW DOES IT WORK? WHAT IF

SOMEBODY CAN'T DO ANY NAMES? IS IT OK? >> I THINK THE TEAM IS TRYING TO CHANGE TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND. HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHO IS IN THEIR FAMILY, WHO IS PART OF THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEM? THAT IS ALSO

SORT OF STANDARD WHEN WE DO EVEN TREATMENT PLANS AND SO FORTH. NOT PUTTING ANYBODY AT ALL IS NOT A FACTOR TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR HOMELESS SERVICES. I LIKE THE HPP IDEA AND I ACTUALLY LIKE THE

FLEXIBILITY OF IT. YOU HAVE GIFT CARDS, YOU CAN PROVIDE MONEY FOR RENT. THERE IS A RISK OF A SLUSH FUND WITH DISCRETIONARY SPENDING LIKE THERE IS A RISK. HOW DO YOU REGULATE HOW THOSE DOLLARS ARE

BEING USED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE BEING USED IN WAYS THAT ARE EFFECTIVE AND NOT INAPPROPRIATE. >> THE PROVIDERS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE A DOCUMENTATION. THE WORK HAPPENS THROUGH OUR PROVIDER

NETWORK. THEY HAVE APPROVED LISTS OF WHAT THEY CAN USE FOR CLIENT SERVICES AND PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OR AT LEAST KEEP THE DOCUMENTATION. >> SO THIS IS NOT THE DHS STAFF AND VIRGINIA WILLIAMS WHO ARE

DOING THIS. IS THAT YOU REFER SOMEONE TO A PROVIDER AND THEN THE PROVIDER -- >> IT COMES WITH CASE MANAGEMENT SO THE CASE MANAGEMENT IS NOT PROVIDED BY DHS STAFF. >> A PERSON WOULD GO ON TO HPP IF

THEY HAD A SAFE PLACE TO STAY FOR THAT NIGHT BUT THEY WERE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. SO THEY HAVE TIME FOR THAT PROVIDER TO BE WORKING WITH THEM . IF THE PROVIDER CANNOT FIND A

SOLUTION USING HPP AND THE RISK OF HOMELESSNESS BECOMES MORE ACUTE, THAT PERSON MIGHT YET ENTER SHELTER. >> THEY CAN STILL ENTER SHELTER AND THEY CAN CONTINUE BECAUSE HPP IS ALSO USED TO EXIT FAMILIES

FROM SHELTER. I'M VERY AWARE, COUNCILMEMBER, THAT PRIOR TO FISCAL YEAR 26, YOU KNOW, MAYBE 25, 95 PERCENT OF OUR EXITS FROM SHELTER WERE FROM THE RSP AND THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE. HPP IS ALSO USED

TO HELP FAMILIES EXIT SHELTER SO WHEN A FAMILY CAN BE REFERRED TO HPP AND THEY CAN'T PRESERVE THE PLACEMENT, THAT SAME HPP PROVIDER CAN HELP A FAMILY EXIT SHELTER THROUGH THE SAME TOOLS THAT THEY

HAVE, WHETHER A FAMILY IS IN OR OUT OF SHELTER. >> WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE ANECDOTAL THINGS THAT WE HEARD ABOUT, A REQUIREMENT THAT YOU GET A COPY OF THE LEASE THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU STAYED WITH YOUR

AUNT AND YOU NEED TO GET YOUR ON SLEAZE FROM FIVE YEARS AGO? YOU HEARD THAT TESTIMONY. >> WHAT IS IS THAT WHEN SOMEBODY DOESN'T HAVE THEIR DOCUMENTATION, WE HAVE OUR OWN SYSTEM TO VERIFY RESIDENCY AND

SO FORTH AND IF WE HAVE AN ADDRESS ON FILE AND A LEASE ON FILE WHERE THIS PERSON IS ON A LEASE ON ONE OF OUR VOUCHER PROGRAMS OR HOUSING AUTHORITY AND SO FORTH, THEN WE HAVE A DUTY TO JUST MAKE SURE

OUR RESOURCES ARE PRIORITIZED FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. IF IT IS ATTACHED TO A VOUCHER, THAT -- THEN WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE PERSON WOULD NOT BE GOING BACK TO THAT HOME,

RIGHT? SO IT CAN BE USED AS DOCUMENTATION TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS PERSON DOES NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. ASK THE TEAM ABOUT THE MULTIPLE BACK YEARS OF LEASE. I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROCESS AT

ALL BUT I DID ASK ABOUT WHY THE LEASES AND THEY TOLD ME WHEN IT SHOWS THAT A HOUSEHOLD IS LISTED ON POLICE, PARTICULARLY IN ONE OF THE DISTRICTS LIKE VOUCHER PROGRAMS, WHETHER IT'S THE HOUSING

AUTHORITY THAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE TECHNICALLY, WE HAVE SOLVED THE HOMELESS -- THE HOMELESSNESS FOR THAT PERSON AND WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO PRESERVE THAT HOUSING INTERVENTION. I DO KNOW

THAT IT WAS A CASE THAT A FAMILY KIND OF CAME INTO SHELTER. WE LOOKED INTO THE SYSTEM AND THEY HAD A VOUCHER WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. THEY HAD MISSED THE CERTIFICATION PERIOD BUT THEY HAD SOME

HOUSING CONDITION CONCERN. WHAT WE TOLD THE FAMILY IS THAT WHILE WE ARE WORKING TO BRING YOU INTO SHELTER, LET'S WORK WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S SO THAT YOU CAN RECERTIFY SO THAT YOU DON'T LOSE THAT

VOUCHER SO YOU CAN GET RE-HOUSED WITH THE VOUCHER EVEN IF YOU NEED TO COME INTO SHELTER TEMPORARILY. WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE -- WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING

VOUCHERS TO EVERYBODY WHO COMES INTO OUR SYSTEM AND WHEN SOMEBODY IS ALREADY ATTACHED TO A VOUCHER, WE WANT TO WORK VERY HARD TO HAVE THIS PERSON PRESERVE THEIR VOUCHERS SO THAT MEANS WORKING WITH THE

HOUSING AUTHORITY, WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT HOUSEHOLD UNDERSTANDS WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE THEY PRESERVE THE VOUCHER AS WELL. >> YOU RAISED HOUSING CONDITIONS WHICH IS ANOTHER THEME OF

THINGS THAT WE HEARD WHERE YOU COULD HAVE SOMEONE WHO FELT THAT THE PLACE THAT THEY HAD POLICE WAS NOT SAFE BECAUSE OF HOUSING CONDITIONS. AND SO -- BUT HOW CAN THEY DEMONSTRATE THAT? BECAUSE THE

LANDLORD IS NEVER GOING TO SAY YOU MAY HAVE AN EVICTION PROCESS THAT IS GOING ON. HASN'T HAPPENED YET BUT THE EVICTION PROCESS IS GOING ON. A DEFENSE IN THE EVICTION PROCESS IS HOUSING CONDITIONS. HOW

DO YOU DEAL WITH THE SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE A PERSON WHO CLAIMS TERRIBLE HOUSING CONDITIONS MAKE IT UNSAFE TO BE THERE? NO ACKNOWLEDGE NOTE -- NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THAT FROM THE LANDLORD. PICTURES,

MAY BE VIDEOS. IS THAT ENOUGH? WHY WOULDN'T THAT BE ENOUGH? >> IF IT IS NOT SAFE, IT CERTAINLY WILL BE ENOUGH. IN THAT CASE, WE WOULD WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF TENANT ADVOCATES TO MAKE SURE THEIR FAMILY

IS CONNECTED TO THEM AND RECEIVE LEGAL SERVICES THEY WOULD NEED TO REPORT THE POOR HOUSING CONDITION BUT ALSO IN THOSE CASES THE OFFICE OF TENANT ADVOCATES HAVE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT HOUSEHOLDS IN

THOSE CASES SO IT MAY NOT BE A HOMELESS SERVICES INTERVENTION THAT IS NEEDED BUT A SAFE PLACE TO STAY WHILE THEY EITHER GET A RELOCATION AND SO FORTH AND WE WORK WITH THE PARTNERS AT THE OFFICE OF

TENANT ADVOCACY. THE REALITY IS, COUNCILMEMBER, THE INTERVENTION FOR ALL OF HOUSING CONDITIONS -- IS IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE WHAT WE CALL THE -- WE HELP FAMILIES NAVIGATE OTHER RESOURCES THAT ARE

RESOURCED FOR THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATION. IN CASES LIKE THIS ONE, WE WOULD WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF TENANT ADVOCATE. WE WOULD WORK WITH THE CHA AND WE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE ALSO CONTACT IT ON THEIR

BEHALF BUT THEN WE HELP THEM NAVIGATE THAT SITUATION. >> SO IF SOMEBODY CAME IN, EVEN IF THE LANDLORD DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE UNIT WAS UNINHABITABLE BUT THEY MADE A COMPELLING CASE THAT IT WAS

UNINHABITABLE, THEY COULD STILL GET INTO SHELTER EVEN AS YOU WERE REACHING OUT TO OTHER ENTITIES? >> MAY BE IN THAT CASE, THE SOLUTION FOR THAT NIGHT IS THAT SOMETIMES, THEY HAVE ACCESS TO HOTEL

VOUCHERS FOR A COUPLE OF NIGHTS AND MAY BE IN THAT PARTICULAR CASE, DEPENDING ON WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THEIR FAMILIES, MAYBE THAT IS A BETTER INTERVENTION THEN COMING INTO THE HOMELESS SERVICES

SYSTEM. >> SOMEWHERE, SOMEBODY IS MAKING A DETERMINATION THAT THIS IS BAD ENOUGH THAT WE NEED TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE FOR THIS FAMILY TONIGHT. >> RIGHT. >> THE FOLKS AT DHS ARE EMPOWERED TO MAKE THAT

DETERMINATION BASED ON THE CLAIMS MADE BY THE RESIDENT WORK PICTURES AND THINGS LIKE THAT? THEY DON'T NEED A LETTER FROM THE LANDLORD. THEY DON'T NEED A FINDING. ARE THEY ABLE TO ESTABLISH THAT IN THE

BACK AND FORTH WITH DHS? >> I DON'T KNOW. BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE TO SEE IN ANY PARTICULAR CASE TO JUST REALLY UNDERSTAND. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU AND IN THOSE INSTANCES, WE WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF TENANT

ADVOCATES. WE WORK WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. WE WORK WITH THE BUILDING. IF THE BETTER INTERVENTION IS THROUGH THE OFFICE TO PROVIDE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY AND THEY HAVE THOSE RESOURCES, THEN WE WANT

TO MAKE SURE WE REROUTE THEM TO THE RIGHT INTERVENTION AND THIS IS PART OF THE WORK THAT WE DO IN TERMS OF DIVERSION. THE HOMELESS SERVICES SYSTEM IS NOT ALWAYS EQUIPPED TO ABSORB EVERYONE WHO IS

EXPERIENCING A HOUSING CRISIS. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THERE ARE FIRES AND EMERGENCIES IN A BUILDING IN THE COMMUNITY AND A UNIT IS FOUND TO NOT BE HABITABLE THAT NIGHT, OUR SYSTEM IS NOT THE SYSTEM THAT

NEEDS TO RESPOND TO SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. SAME AS WHEN SOMEONE MAY HAVE A UNIT AND NOW THEY ARE IN BAD UNIT CONDITIONS. THE OFFICE OF TENANT ADVOCATE IS THE AGENCY DESIGNED

TO INTERVENE IN THOSE CASES. >> I MEAN, I THINK -- WE HAD ALL THE TESTIMONY EARLIER AND WE ARE HAVING YOUR TESTIMONY. AGAIN WHAT I AM HEARING IS IF A PERSON GENUINELY DOES NOT -- IF THE FAMILY

GENUINELY DOES NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY, THEY SHOULD THAT NIGHT GET SHELTER IN SOME FORM, WHETHER IT IS FROM HERE OR IF IT IS BECAUSE OF THE HOUSING CONDITIONS THING. IT MAY BE THE OFFICE OF

TENANT ADVOCATE. BUT FUNDAMENTALLY IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY SHOULD BE GETTING HOUSING THAT NIGHT AND THAT IS YOUR EXPECTATION OF HOW THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE WORKING, WHETHER -- AND WHETHER IT ALWAYS

WORKS THAT WAY IS ANOTHER QUESTION. BUT THAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK? >> THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING ON HOW IT WORKS, COUNCILMEMBER. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT NO CHILD, NO

MINORS SPENT THE NIGHT UNHOUSED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. >> OK. AND THEN INCLUDING THE HOTLINE, IF IT IS AFTER HOURS AND THEY CALL THE HOTLINE, THEY CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE

STAFFING THE HOTLINE AFTER NOON ON FRIDAY? BECAUSE YOU CLOSE AT NOON ON FRIDAY. >> WE HAVE TWO FAMILIES, ELIGIBILITY WORKER WHO STAFF THE HEADLINE AFTER HOURS. THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND. >> AND THOSE

PEOPLE ARE EMPOWERED TO PLACE PEOPLE -- IT MAY BE THAT WHAT THEY DO IS HELP SET PEOPLE UP SO THEY CAN GO IN ON MONDAY AND MAKE THE BEST PRESENTATION BUT THEY ALSO, IF IT IS A GENUINE EMERGENCY AND

THEY MAKE THAT DETERMINATION EVEN ABSENT HAVING THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS IN PLACE? WHENCE THEY WILL PROBABLY ESCALATE -- I DON'T THINK WILLIAMS EVER SLEEPS BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS ANSWERS THE PHONE BUT THEY

WILL PROBABLY ESCALATE TO THEIR SUPERVISOR. >> OK. WE HAVE HEARD RESIDENTS FREQUENTLY GET CALLS REGARDING POTENTIAL PLACEMENT FROM AN UNIDENTIFIED NUMBER. YOU CALLED FROM VIRGINIA WILLIAMS ALWAYS GO

OUT AS AN UNIDENTIFIED NUMBER OR DO THEY SHOW IS COMING FROM -- HAVE YOU HEARD THIS? >> I DON'T THINK I HEARD IT TODAY. HE SAID BECAUSE FROM VIRGINIA WILLIAMS COMING IN AS UNIDENTIFIED? >> I CAN

FOLLOW UP. >> IT WAS PREVIOUSLY THE CASE THAT RESIDENTS WITH CERTAIN IMMIGRATION STATUSES WERE REFERRED TO THE OFFICE OF MIGRANT SERVICES. OUR STAFF -- ARE STAFF AWARE THAT THEY MUST ACCEPT THAT? >>

WE DON'T CHECK FOR IMMIGRATION STATUS, COUNCILMEMBER. WE CHECK FOR D.C. RESIDENCY SO SOMEONE ESTABLISHES IT THE SAME WAY. FAMILIES IN THE HOUSEHOLD WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS. WE DON'T HAVE A

PROCESS TO CHECK FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR IMMIGRATION STATUS. >> EVEN IF IN THE PASTOR MIGHT HAVE BEEN REFERRALS TO THE OFFICE OF MIGRANT SERVICES, THAT IS NOT HAPPENING NOW? YOU JUST DEAL WITH EVERYONE

WHO IS A D.C. RESIDENT? >> EVEN WHEN THE OFFICE OF MIGRANT SERVICES WAS OPERATIONAL, WE DID NOT CHECK FOR IMMIGRATION STATUS. >> OK. WE TALKED ABOUT -- BUT ON THAT, A FAMILY WITH AN EVICTION SCHEDULED

THE NEXT DAY WOULD BE REFERRED TO HPP AND THAT YOU WOULD WORK TOGETHER TO CONTACT THE LANDLORD AND STOP THE EVICTION. THIS GOES TO -- SO IF SOMEBODY IS IN -- IT IS TUESDAY. AND THE RELEASE IS STILL

VALID. THEY ARE STILL IN THE APARTMENT BUT TOMORROW OR THURSDAY, THE EVICTION IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. IS IT THAT YOU WOULD WAIT BEFORE PUTTING THEM -- GIVING THEM ACCESS TO THE SHELTER UNTIL THE

EVICTION ACTUALLY HAPPENED AND UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, YOU WOULD TRY TO USE HPP TO SOLVE THE ISSUE? >> YES, OR HELP THE FAMILY TRANSITION TO ANOTHER UNIT OR HOUSING INTERVENTION THAT THEY CAN SUSTAIN.

BECAUSE EITHER WAY, THEY HAVE TO LEAVE THEIR UNIT AND IF THEY COME TO SHELTER, THAT IS A START BEFORE THEY HAVE TO MOVE TO ANOTHER UNIT, FOR EXAMPLE. SO WE DON'T WANT FOLKS TO WAIT UNTIL THE DAY THEY

ARE GOING TO BE EVICTED. THEY ARE ALREADY ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES PRIOR TO THE EVICTION DATE SO WE WANT TO WORK WITH THEM TO HELP IDENTIFY AN ALTERNATIVE HOUSING INTERVENTION. IF IT IS NOT POSSIBLE, WE

WILL BRING IT INTO THE SHELTER OF COURSE BUT THE IDEA IS NOT TO WAIT UNTIL YOU GET EVICTED TO COME INTO SHELTER. THE IDEA IS TO WORK WITH OUR HOMELESS PREVENTION PROVIDERS TO HELP IDENTIFY HOUSING

INTERVENTION THAT IS SUSTAINABLE. >> AND SO THE HYPOTHETICAL WAS THE EVICTION IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT DAY. WHAT IF IT IS THAT MONEY EVICTION IS SCHEDULED IN SIX WEEKS? CAN I GET ACCESS TO HPP

AT THAT POINT? >> WE HAVE PARTNERS WITH HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES IN THE COURTHOUSE. THEY ARE ONE OF THE PROVIDERS BUT YOU KNOW, SO THEY CAN SOMETIMES HELP TO STOP AN EVICTION BUT IF WE KNOW THAT AN

EVICTION IS IMMINENT, WE CAN HELP THROUGH HPP OR HOUSING INTERVENTION THAT MAKES MORE SENSE. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE FAMILY RESOURCE? IF THEY NEED TO BE CONNECTED TO EMPLOYMENT IN ORDER TO

BE ABLE TO FIND A HOUSING INTERVENTION THAT THEY CAN AFFORD THAT WE CAN DO THAT. WE CAN HELP TO FIND ANOTHER UNIT THAT THEY CAN AFFORD. THESE ARE ALL OF THE SAME THINGS THAT WE WOULD DO WHEN THE

FAMILY COMES INTO SHELTER. IF WE CAN PREVENT THIS INTERIM SHELTER PLACEMENT WHILE WE ARE PROVIDING THE SERVICES TO HELP SOMEONE GET INTO STABLE HOUSING, THEN WE ARE GOING TO USE THAT TIME TO DO THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT. YOU ARE GOING TO USE THAT TOOL RIGHT UP UNTIL WHEN THE EVICTION HAPPENS? >> WE HOPE WE CAN DO IT BEFORE IT HAPPENS BECAUSE IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF FAMILY THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE AN

EVICTION ON THE RECORD. THAT THEY HELP MOVE OUT OF THE UNIT PRIOR TO THE EVICTION. >> OK. GIVE ME JUST A MOMENT. OK. WE HAVE COVERED A LOT OF TERRITORY AND IT HAS GONE ON FOR A WHILE. I DO HAVE MORE.

I'M GOING TO TRY TO DO IT EFFICIENTLY. UNDER THE D.C. CODE, SECTION FOUR -- A FAMILY AS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHOSE HISTORY AND STATEMENTS REASONABLY TEND TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY INTEND TO REMAIN

TOGETHER AS A FAMILY UNIT. SEVERAL FAMILIES HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT UNMARRIED MALE PARTNERS NEED TO SEPARATE FROM THE FAMILY AND GO TO A LOW BARRIER SHELTER. HOW DOES DHS DETERMINE WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE

TO REQUIRE A FAMILY TO SEPARATE? GO AHEAD. >> SORRY. FAMILY CAN SHOW THAT THEY HAVE BEEN A FAMILY UNIT. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY CASE WHERE WE REQUIRED A MARRIAGE LICENSE OR ANYTHING. BUT WE DO HAVE TO

ESTABLISH THE FAMILY IS A UNIT OR AT LEAST THEY WERE A UNIT WHEREVER THEY LIVED TOGETHER. YOU KNOW, WE BROUGHT MULTIPLE GENERATIONS TOGETHER IN SHELTER LIKE GRANDMA, MOM, KID, DAD LIVE IN A HOME AND

HAVE GOTTEN THEM TO SHELTER TOGETHER. THAT IS NOT ACCURATE THAT WE REQUIRE PROOF OF MARRIAGE LICENSE. >> YES. I MEAN, I GUESS IN THE SCENARIO THAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED, IT'S TWO MEN AND THEY ARE NOT

MARRIED. THEY CANNOT PRESENT BUT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO PRESENT THAT THEY HAVE -- THAT THEY OPERATED AS A FAMILY UNIT AND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS IF THAT IS THE CASE, IF THEY CAN MAKE THE CASE THAT THEY

HAVE OPERATED AS A FAMILY UNIT, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO STAY TOGETHER REGARDLESS. >> AND IF THEY HAVE A CHILD WITH THEM? YES. >> I USUALLY THINK OF DATA SHARING IS A GREAT THING. MY COMMITTEE HAS AN

EXTENSIVE WORK TO MAKE IT HAPPEN IN A VARIETY OF CONTEXTS. A COMMON THEME IN YOUR RESPONSES TO OUR HYPOTHETICALS IS THAT THE AGENCY USES -- THIS IS OUR GLOSS ON IT HERE PRIMARILY TO RULE OUT FAMILIES

FROM THE ELIGIBILITY TO SEE IF THERE IS A REASON WHY THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. AS OPPOSED TO RULE THEM IN. WE HEARD THAT FROM A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT WITNESSES WHO FELT THAT THIS IS --

THAT THINGS ARE BEING PUT UP AS A SCREEN AS OPPOSED TO TRYING TO GET PEOPLE QUALIFIED. I WANT TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT. ONE IS THE USE OF DATA TO ASSESS HOUSING CONDITIONS. IN RESPONSE TO THE

HYPOTHETICAL, DID YOU SAY THAT PHOTOGRAPHS CANNOT CONFIRM HOUSING CONDITIONS AND THAT YOU NEED TO CONFIRM THAT THERE EXISTS A HISTORY OF PAST ISSUES THAT ARE DOCUMENTED? IF THAT HISTORY DOES NOT

EXIST, HOW CAN A FAMILY DOCUMENT HOUSING CONDITIONS? WE TALKED ABOUT THIS SUMMIT. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU THINK THAT THEY AT LEAST OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE A FINDING ABOUT HOUSING

CONDITIONS . DO YOU THINK THEY CAN MAKE A COMPELLING CASE AT THE HOUSING CONDITIONS ARE BAD ENOUGH THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE THAT AS A GROUNDS TO ESTABLISH THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO

STAY? TO WHAT EXTENT DOES RELYING ON THAT DATA OPERATE TO BLOCK PEOPLE? >> I AM NOT FAMILIAR -- I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT SPEAKS TO EACH OTHER, FOR EXAMPLE, BUT WE HAVE CONTACTS AND OUR

SISTER AGENCIES TO BE ABLE TO KIND OF CALL AND VERIFY AND IF IT'S A CASE THAT SOMEBODY HAS NOT REPORTED A HOUSING CONDITION AND THEY ARE CHOOSING INSTEAD TO ABANDON THEIR LEASE, THERE IS A DIFFERENT

INTERVENTION FOR THAT SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO ULTIMATELY REPORT POOR HOUSING CONDITIONS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS ALSO ON THE RADAR. IN THAT CASE, SOMEBODY HAS A LEASE THAT WE

MAXIMIZE THAT RESOURCE TO HELP THE FAMILY WE HOUSE AND GET REHOUSED VERSUS COMING INTO A SHELTER SYSTEM UNLESS THEY DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY BUT IF OTA IS ABLE TO PROVIDE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY

WHEN THE PERSON HAS A LEASE OR THE PERSON IS NOT NECESSARILY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, THEY ARE IN THE HOUSING UNIT THAT HAS POOR CONDITIONS AND THE INTERVENTION IS A DIFFERENT ONE THAN SOMEBODY WHO

DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE RESOURCES. >> I GUESS WE HAVE GONE OVER THIS BUT THE QUESTION OF WHETHER IT'S A SAFE PLACE TO STAY AND WHAT IS REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH THAT IS WHERE THE CHALLENGE IS. >> SO

WE DO RELY ON OUR OTHER AGENCY PARTNERS TO HELP US. IF OTA CANNOT PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION, WE WOULD BRING THEM IN THAT NIGHT. , COUNCIL MEMBER. >> YOU ALSO REFERRED TO CHECKING A CORE DATABASE TO

DETERMINE THE STATUS OF ANY EVICTION. FOR WHATEVER REASON, NOT EVERY EVICTION CASE IS AVAILABLE ON THE PUBLIC DOCUMENT. TO WHICH DATABASES ARE YOU LOOKING? DO YOU KNOW? ONCE WE PARTNER WITH OUR

HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICE. THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE DATABASE. OFTENTIMES USED TO DETERMINE WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREVENT ANY EVICTION WHEN IT IS FUNDED AT A LEVEL SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THIS THROUGH

THE FEDERAL FUNDS, ABLE TO PAY LARGE SUMS OF BACK RENT TO BE ABLE TO PREVENT AN EVICTION. WE ARE ABLE TO SOMETIMES STILL PREVENT AN EVICTION WITH COLLABORATING WITH OUR PARTNERS. >> AND THEN DO YOU

NEED TO GET CONSENT FROM THE APPLICANT'S TO ACCESS THESE DATABASES? DO THEY SIGN SOMETHING SAYING THAT? >> LET ME REVIEW WHAT IS IN OUR FORUM TO SEE WHERE THAT INFORMATION STAYS. WE HAVE LIMITATIONS

AND BEING ABLE TO ACCESS SOME SYSTEMS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM ACCURATE IN MY ANSWER. >> PART OF THE TESTIMONY EARLIER GOES TO THAT YOU MAY BE -- THE FEELING IS YOU MAY BE USING THOSE TOOLS TO LOOK

FOR REASONS TO EXCLUDE BUT PART OF WHAT I AM HEARING YOU SAY IS THAT WHEN THE SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY THAT IT ULTIMATELY COMES DOWN TO, I MEAN, YOU WOULD NOT EXCLUDE -- MAYBE YOU COULD LOOK AT A

DATABASE AND SAY THIS PERSON IS NOT A D.C. RESIDENT BUT I AM NOT SURE BECAUSE RESIDENCY IS A THING THAT GETS ESTABLISHED AND IT'S ABOUT INTENT SO IT'S HARD TO SAY NO ON THAT. BASED ON SOMETHING IN A

D.C. DATABASE. I WOULD THINK BUT DO YOU THINK THAT IS NOT TRUE? >> WE CAN ESTABLISH IF SOMEBODY HAS RESIDENCY SOMEWHERE ELSE SO PART OF THE DENIAL ALSO IS FAMILIES ARE RECEIVING BENEFITS, WE HAVE

ACCESS TO THEIR INFORMATION THEN THE FAMILY IS NOT A DISTRICT RESIDENT BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT ALL OF THEIR SERVICES -- THAT'S A PRETTY -- IF A CHILD IS SCHOOL-AGED, UNLESS THEY ARE REGISTERED AS

HOMESCHOOLERS, THEY ARE ENROLLED IN SOME SCHOOL SYSTEM, WE CAN CHECK IF THEY ARE ENROLLED IN D.C. PUBLIC SCHOOLS WERE NEIGHBORHOOD JURISDICTIONS SO THAT IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN ESTABLISH WHETHER OR

NOT FAMILY HAS ESTABLISHED RESIDENCY. >> OK. OK. WE HAVE HEARD REPEATEDLY THAT PEOPLE WITH SHARED CUSTODY IN AN ACTIVE CPL CASE HAS STRUGGLED TO ACCESS SHELTER THAT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS WITH THEIR

CHILDREN AND THIS GOES TO SOME OF THE TESTIMONY THAT SOME OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROVIDERS WENT INTO. WHAT TRAINING DOES STAFF RECEIVE REGARDING CHILD CUSTODY AGREEMENTS AND CIVIL PROTECTIVE ORDERS?

IN DEALING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES GENERALLY? THERE WAS A SUGGESTION BY A COUPLE OF THE PROVIDERS THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE MORE TRAINING, THAT THERE NEEDED TO BE SCRIPTS TO DEAL WITH THIS. WHAT

ARE YOU DOING NOW? WHAT KINDS OF THINGS DO YOU THINK MIGHT BE DONE BETTER? >> I HEARD TESTIMONY THAT THE TRAINING BUDGET WAS REDUCED WHICH IS NOT ACCURATE. IT IS STILL AT THE LEVEL IT WAS IN 2026 AND

2027. WE PROVIDE TRAININGS TO NORTHBOUND LINE AND THEY PROVIDE MONTHLY TRAINING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE LAST TRAINING THEY RECEIVED WAS A THINK ON SEPTEMBER 2 AND WE ALSO HAVE OTHER DIVISIONS

WITHIN OUR AGENCY WITH MPD RECENTLY TO PROVIDE TRAININGS FOR OUR PROGRAMS. AND THEN AGAIN, IT IS CO-LOCATED. WHEN WE CONSULTED WITH THEM, WE DO ASK QUESTIONS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SO THEY VALIDATED

THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT LANGUAGE TO TRY TO GET INFORMATION ON HOW TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS TO MAY BE DISCLOSED AND AGAIN AS SOMEBODY DISCLOSES THAT THEY HAVE ANY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CONTACT, WE COULD WALK

THEM OVER. WE HAVE TWO STAFFS WITHIN VIRGINIA WILLIAMS. WE WERE OPEN FROM SUGGESTIONS TO HOW ELSE WE COULD BETTER. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR THAT THE FUNDING HAS NOT BEEN CUT. THEY CONTINUE TO

PROVIDE NOT ONLY TRAINING TO OUR STAFF SINCE THEY ARE COLOCATED WITH US AND THEY ALSO INFORMED THE QUESTIONS ON WHETHER THEY ARE IN A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND TO OUR ASSESSMENT. >> OK, SO ONE

OF THE THINGS THAT THE DATA SUGGESTS IN THE TABLE WE GOT LAST NIGHT HAS THEM LUMPED TOGETHER. I WOULD THINK WE HAVE GOTTEN DATA THAT SUGGESTED 10% OF THE ASSESSMENTS IN FY 25 RESULTED IN A FINDING OF

DV AND A DIVERSION AND ONLY 4% IN FY 26 OF THE BIGGER NUMBER OF ASSESSMENTS, THAT SURPRISED ME THAT THERE WOULD BE SUCH A DROP. DO YOU HAVE A THEORY AS TO WHY THE PERCENTAGE OF DIVERSIONS WOULD HAVE

GONE DOWN? I WATCH IT. I THINK THIS IS A TERRIBLE PROBLEM. MORE GUNS HAVE BEEN FIRED INWARD THREE RECENTLY THAN AT ANY TIME PREVIOUSLY AND THEY ALMOST ALWAYS END UP BEING ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SO IT

FEELS LIKE IT'S NOT GOING DOWN. WHY WOULD THE PERCENTAGE PRESENTING AT VIRGINIA WILLIAMS GO DOWN? >> WE WORK AT THE INTERSECTION OF HOMELESSNESS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SO WE DON'T SEE ALL OF THE

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT. FROM THE TESTIMONY TODAY, AND I CANNOT SPEAK TO WHY THE NUMBERS ARE GOING DOWN. I MEAN, I WONDER IF THERE IS A BETTER WAY FROM THE FRONT

DOOR FOR SOMEBODY TO SIGNAL THAT THEY ARE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD WANT TO WORK WITH OUR PROVIDERS IF THEY PREFER THAT THERE IS A QUESTION AT THE FRONT DESK TO

BE REFERRED TO DIRECTLY AND THEY MAKE AN ASSESSMENT. IT MAY INCREASE THE ASSESSMENT BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I AM OPEN TO REVIEW AT THE FRONT DOOR. THE RESIDENTS MAY SIGNAL THAT THEY ARE A VICTIM OF

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. DHS IS NOT THE MAIN AGENCY WHO RESPONDS ULTIMATELY BUT WE WORK AT THE INTERSECTION OF FAMILIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND DISSENT -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. >> IF SOMEBODY

COMES TO THE FRONT DOOR AND THEY GO DIRECTLY, IT MAY BE THAT FOLKS COME TO THE CASE MANAGER AND AT SOME POINT, IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS AN ISSUE. THAT ENDS THIS INTERVIEW AND YOU GO

OVER TO THIS OTHER PLACE. TO WHAT EXTENT ARE YOU TRACKING THE CAPACITY OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HOMELESS SERVICES PROVIDERS TO ABSORB PEOPLE WHO WERE SENDING -- DO WE RUN A RISK OF YOU STOP DEALING

WITH THEM BECAUSE IT'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND YOU SEND THEM TO A PLACE WHERE THERE ISN'T GOING TO BE -- THERE MAY NOT BE ANY CAPACITY AVAILABLE AND SO THEN THEY ARE STUCK? HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT

SITUATION? >> YOU HEARD TESTIMONY FROM PROVIDERS THAT THE FUNDING IS NOT SUFFICIENT. SHE WILL WORK WITH OUR LIVES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GET OUR FUNDING OUT OF THE DOOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT WE

ALSO KNOW THAT THE DISTRICT IS DEALING WITH A VERY DIFFICULT FISCAL REALITY AND IN SOME CASES, DEMAND IS GREATER -- THAT THE NEED IS GREATER THAN THE SUPPLY. >> I HEAR YOU. A FAMILY PRESENTS, BECOMES

CLEAR THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A PIECE OF THE EQUATION, GOES OVER . ARE THERE SITUATIONS WHERE THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO? THEY JUST DON'T HAVE A PLACE AND YET THIS IS A FAMILY THAT DOES NOT

HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY? CAN THEY CIRCLE BACK IF THEY CANNOT FIND A PLACE FOR THEM? CAN THEY COME BACK INTO YOUR SYSTEM OR IS THAT A DEAD-END REVIEW MIGHT HAVE FAMILY AND A CHILD WHO DOESN'T HAVE A

SAFE PLACE AND WE DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION? >> IT WOULD REFER TO D.C. SAFE BECAUSE D.C. SAFE HAS MORE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOUSING. VERY LIMITED. THEY CAN ALWAYS COME INTO OUR SYSTEM, COUNCIL MEMBER. OUR

SYSTEM COULD NOT NECESSARILY BE THE SAFEST PLACE FOR SOMEBODY WHO IS EXPERIENCING DV BUT THEY ARE NOT EXCLUDED FROM BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THE SHELTER BECAUSE THEY ARE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE

REASON WE REFER THEM IS BECAUSE THEY CAN GET CONNECTED WITH A PROVIDER WHO SPECIALIZES IN SUPPORTING DV SURVIVORS. IT'S NOT ABOUT IT. >> MAKE SURE NOBODY GOES INTO A DEAD-END. IT'S A SIMILAR KIND OF

THING THAT COMES UP ON THE SIDE SO YOU COULD HAVE -- ONE OF OUR HYPOTHETICALS ONCE YOU HAVE A GRANDPARENT WHO HAS BEEN ABUSIVE OF A CHILD. THAT FAMILY MAY NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY. CAN THEY COME

BACK TO YOU? SAY THAT THIS FAMILY NEEDS A PLACE FOR TONIGHT? WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FOR THEM OVER THE LONGER TERM? >> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY. IT WOULD NOT SOLVE THE HOUSING

PLACEMENT. THAT IS OUR JOB. WHEN WE MAKE IT INVOLVED, IF WE CANNOT DETERMINE PARENTAL RELATIONSHIP, IF I PRESENT WITH A CHILD AND I DON'T HAVE ANY DOCUMENTATION THAT THIS IS MY CHILD, WE NEED TO MAKE

SURE THE CHILD IS SAFE, RIGHT? COULD BE AN ABDUCTED CHILD, CUSTODY AGREEMENT, SO FORTH. IF THE PARENT CANNOT PROVE THE BIOLOGICAL OR PARENTAL OR GUARDIANSHIP RELATIONSHIP, WE HAVE DUE DILIGENCE. WE

INVOLVE THEM IN THAT CASE. WE HAVE IN OUR SYSTEM THAT THIS IS THE PERSON WHO HAS GUARDIANSHIP OR WHATEVER AND WE PROVIDE THE SHELTER. WE WOULD NOT EXPECT THEM TO SOLVE THE SHELTER ISSUE. THERE MAY BE

A CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF A MINOR. >> OK. SO THE WAY IN WHICH THEY INTERFACE YEAR HOUSING DETERMINATIONS IS BY HELPING YOU TO ESTABLISH WHETHER OR NOT IT'S A FAMILY UNIT. OTHERWISE, IT SUPPORTS AND

TRYING TO ADDRESS WHATEVER THOSE UNDERLYING FAMILY ISSUES ARE BUT YOU STILL ARE PURSUING THE HOUSING SOLUTIONS? >> ABSOLUTELY. WE CHECK EVERY FAMILY THAT COMES IN. WE DO CHECK IF THEY ARE INVOLVED. >>

OK. HOW MANY NONSUPERVISORY STAFF ARE AVAILABLE TO PROCESS INTAKES AT ANY ONE TIME DURING THE WEEK? HOW MANY OF THOSE STAFF SPEAK LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH AND WHAT LANGUAGE IS DO THEY SPEAK? >> >>

WE HAVE ONE OR TWO THAT SPEAKS SPANISH AS WELL. FOR ANY OTHER LANGUAGE, WE DO USE THE LANGUAGE ACCESS MIND. QUICK WHAT IS THE RATIO OF SUPERVISORS TO THE STAFF THEY SUPERVISE? BECAUSE WE HAVE THREE

SUPERVISORS. APPROXIMATELY GIVE OR TAKE SIX TO SEVEN CASE MANAGERS FOR EACH SUPERVISOR. >> DO THOSE SUPERVISORS SPEAKING IN LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH? I WILL GIVE IT TO YOU ON THAT, COUNCIL MEMBER.

>> DID THEY REVIEW EVERY DETERMINATION, WHETHER IT'S AN ASSIGNMENT TO SHELTER OR DENIAL OF SERVICES? THE CASE EVALUATES THE FILE, MEETS WITH PEOPLE, AND THEN GOES TO THE SUPERVISOR IN EACH CASE?

WHAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE SUPERVISOR HAS TO SIGN OFF UNDER THE RECOMMENDATION. >> OK. OK. WHEN RESIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS LIKE THE ONES WE HEARD TODAY, WHAT IS YOUR INTERNAL PROCESS TO REVIEW

THOSE CONCERNS AND COMING OUT OF THIS, WHAT WILL BE YOUR INTERNAL PROCESS? >> SO FIRST THING IS THAT I ALREADY ASKED MY TEAM EVEN PRIOR TO THIS FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON WITH EACH CASE.

YOU KNOW, ONE RESIDENT AND FAMILY WHO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE EXPERIENCE -- A NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE IS TOO MANY. SO YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS STRESS THAT WE KNOW THAT WHEN FAMILIES INTERACT WITH DHS, IT'S USUALLY

DOING -- DURING THE WORST MOMENTS OF THEIR LIVES SO THIS IS SOMETHING WE EMPHASIZE ON A REGULAR BASIS IN OUR TRAINING, ON STAFF, AND SO FORTH. SO IT'S AGAIN REINFORCEMENT OF THAT MESSAGE AROUND

CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD IN ALL SERVICE CENTERS BUT THAT NEEDS TO BE AN ONGOING MESSAGE. YOU KNOW, THIS OPPORTUNITY HOPEFULLY JUST KIND OF HELPS OUR SYSTEM UNDERSTAND WHY

AS A COMMUNITY WE HAVE INVESTED IN HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAMS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT HELPING A FAMILY AND HOUSEHOLDS AVOID AN EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE FAMILY BECAUSE

COMING IN TO SHELTER IS STILL A TEMPORARY PLACEMENT SO IT DOES REQUIRE ANOTHER MOVE SO AS MUCH AS WE CAN PREVENT THAT DISPLACEMENT OR AT ANOTHER MOVE, WE WANT TO AVOID IT. MAYBE THERE NEEDS TO BE A

BETTER ONE AND WE DEFINITELY WILL MAKE SURE TO COMPLETE THE REGULATIONS. MAYBE THERE NEEDS TO BET IT -- BE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR PROGRAM. WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO THE EDUCATION OF OUR

PROGRAM. OTHER AVENUES WHERE WE INTERACT WITH OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE HAPPY TO REALLY BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT HOW WE MAKE OUR ASSESSMENTS AND THE SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH THE SERVICES. ULTIMATELY HELPING

THE COMMUNITY TO SEE WHY PREVENTING AN EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR FAMILIES. IT WILL TAKE SOME OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK TO MY TEAM AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND

WHY THE PERCEPTION OF DENYING SHELTER IS THERE FOR AT LEAST A HANDFUL OF RESIDENTS IN OUR SYSTEM. >> I ASKED THE QUESTION RHETORICALLY ABOUT WHAT LEVEL OF RETURNS IS SUCCESS. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE

PROGRAM IF HALF THE PEOPLE WHO GO IN COME BACK WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS? BUT HALF THE PEOPLE DON'T? HOW DO WE MEASURE SUCCESS? THERE IS ANOTHER DATA POINT. ONLY 2% RETURNED TO GET A SHELTER PLACEMENT

SO I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE RETURN TO SAY THAT MAYBE THEY NEED MORE TIME THAN WHAT THEY CAN PROVIDE. WE ARE STILL ABLE TO PREVENT THAT. WE ONLY HAVE 2% OF FAMILIES WHO ARE DIVERTED RETURN TO

SALTER -- SHELTER. I THINK THAT IS ACTUALLY A PRETTY POWERFUL DATA POINT BUT FOR THE MAJORITY OF FOLKS, THEY CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO AVOID A REOCCURRING EPISODE OF HOMELESSNESS. SO FOR US, THAT IS A

POWERFUL DATA POINT. WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT WE LIVE IN A VERY EXPENSIVE CITY SO OFTEN TIMES WHEN PEOPLE ARE COMING TO US, IT'S BECAUSE OF HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND WE ARE ABLE TO HELP A FAMILY SUSTAIN

THEIR HOUSING WITHOUT COMING IN TO SHELTER. PEOPLE COME BACK BEFORE UTILITY ASSISTANCE, GET CONNECTED WITH CHILDCARE AND THEY DON'T COME BACK TO TRY TO GET INTO THE SHELTER PLACEMENT. >> OK. STICKING

ON SOME OF THE TESTIMONY FROM THE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER WAS HOPING TO BE ABLE TO SEE CRITERIA AND REGULATIONS. CRITERIA WOULD LIKELY BE PART OF REGULATIONS. WITH THE REGULATIONS INCLUDE SPILLING OUT

OF THE CRITERIA OF WHO QUALIFIES AND WHEN IT MAKES SENSE TO REFER SOMEBODY TO THAT? >> WE WILL GO THROUGH THE WHOLE REGULATIONS AND COMMENT PERIOD AND SO FORTH. THAT IS A PURPOSE THAT WOULD BE -- TO

ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY AND CRITERIA. >> YOU SAID WHEN IS IT THAT YOU THINK WE WILL SEE THOSE PROPOSED REGULATIONS? >> I THOUGHT YOU PROVIDED THIS. >> EXACTLY. WORKING FROM THEM THIS YEAR. >> THEY WILL

BE PROPOSED SOMETIME NEXT YEAR IS THE HOPE? >> OK. ONE OF THE THINGS SHE RACE WAS APPEAL RIGHTS. WILL THAT BE PART OF THE PROCESS? IS THAT BEING CONTEMPLATED AS PART OF THE PROCESS? >> I WILL HAVE TO

TALK TO MY GENERAL COUNSEL ABOUT THAT BEFORE HE ANSWERED. >> OK. ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WE TALKED ABOUT THE KEY ISSUES THAT PROVIDERS RAISED AND I DON'T WANT TO GO DOWN THIS RABBIT HOLE RIGHT NOW WAS

ON THE ID PROCESS AND I HOPE YOU CAN COME TO SOME KIND OF AN UNDERSTANDING AROUND THAT. FROM WHAT I HEARD TODAY, IT DID NOT MAKE ME THINK IT WAS IMMINENT. DO YOU FEEL LIKE IT'S CLOSER THAN WHAT I WAS

HEARING? >> WE HAD A GOOD MEETING FROM MY PERSPECTIVE. WE HAD SOME IMMEDIATE NEXT STEPS. I DO WANT TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT IT'S CLEAR THAT WE DON'T FEEL THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE PART OF THE

SOLUTION. SOME PROVIDERS SELECT THEY ALREADY HAVE IT FOR A LOT OF THEIR RESIDENCE AND AGAIN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A SMALL GROUP AT THE INTERSECTION FOR HOMELESSNESS. AND DV SURVIVORS BUT WE HAVE SOME

IMMEDIATE NEXT STEPS. I THINK WE ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH. >> OK. THEY ARE SAYING YOU DON'T WANT IT TO BE THAT THEY JUST GO TO -- ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. THE IMPLICATION WAS MAYBE THEY SHOULD JUST BE THE

FRONT LINE WITH THE DMV AND THAT IS NOT IT? ? >> IN SOME CASES, PROVIDERS HAVE THEIR OWN SOLUTION. WE DO WHERE IT NEEDS TO STILL BE A SOLUTION. FOR PROVIDERS WHO ARE ALSO WORKING WITH SURVIVORS WHO

ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. OUR IMMEDIATE NEXT STEP IS WHETHER OR NOT DHS WOULD BE CONSIDERED A NEED TO KNOW AGENCY SO WE WOULD ASK THEM TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. WE DON'T REQUIRE ANYONE TO ENTER

INFORMATION BUT THE SAME PROCESS THAT WE USE FOR A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE FOR BENEFITS AND WE ARE A NEED TO KNOW AGENCY BUT THEN THEY ARE ABLE TO GET -- TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR -- TO PARTICIPATE IN

THE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT STATUS TO SEE IF WE CAN APPLY THAT SAME -- FOR THE PURPOSES OF PROVIDING IDS. QUOTES WILL COME AROUND ON THAT. THERE'S DIFFERENT PROVIDERS. WHAT STEPS

YOU TAKE TO EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DIFFERENT HPP PROVIDERS? >> I CAN TELL YOU WHAT IS THEIR SCOPE OF WORK. THE ABILITY TO PREVENT A SHELTER PLACEMENT THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO SOLVE SOME OF THESE

HOMELESSNESS THROUGH THE HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM AND A 2% ENTRY INTO SHELTER FOR US IS A POSITIVE OUTCOME. THAT IS THE BIGGEST ONE. >> WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TOOLS THAT ARE DEPLOYED AND HOW OFTEN

ARE THEY DEPLOYED? WE HAVE ASKED FOR THIS KIND OF DATA AND IT WOULD BE USEFUL. I AM SIMILAR UPBEAT ABOUT THIS AS OUR YEAR BUT WE NEED TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING DONE AND IT COULD BE ONE

PROVIDER HAS 100 GIFT CARDS THAT THEY DO AND IT LOOKS PRETTY THIN AND THEY MAY GET ONE SET OF RESULTS AND SOMEBODY ELSE COULD BE OVERDOING IT IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE BUT

DO YOU TRACK THAT AND CHECK THAT IN WAYS THAT WE COULD BE SEEING? >> WE WANTED TO -- WE WENT TO PROVIDERS MONTHLY SO LET ME SEE AROUND WHAT IS IT THAT WE -- IN TERMS OF WHAT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF AUDIT

REPORT TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD SHARE WITH YOUR OFFICE. >> YES. HELP ME ON THIS. WE ARE KIND OF COMING INTO A BUDGET SEASON AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS

DEVOTED TO THIS. I WANT WHAT YOU WANT AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A CASE BASED ON DATA AND PERFORMANCE ABOUT WHETHER NUMBERS SHOULD BE LOWER OR THAT NUMBER SHOULD BE HIGHER. JUST LIKE WITH THE D.C.

FLEX THAT WE ARE TRYING TO GET OUR ARMS AROUND IT, HERE IF YOU CAN HELP US BY PROVIDING THAT DATA, THAT WOULD BE VERY USEFUL. SO ONE OF THE THINGS IN RESPONSE TO QUESTION 19, YOU WALKED THROUGH THE

DIFFERENT HPP INTERVENTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES REQUIRED BY THE HIR ESSAY -- -HRS A. ONE OF THEM IS THE USE OF AN EVALUATION METHOD TO TARGET AND IDENTIFY FAMILIES MOST AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS.

WHICH EVIDENCE-BASED TOOL DOES DHS USED TO MAKE THOSE TARGETED REFERRALS? REICHSTEIN. I WAS LOOKING AT THE QUESTION AND I DID NOT HEAR YOUR QUESTION. >> WE ARE GETTING THERE. IN RESPONSE TO QUESTION

19, YOU WALK THROUGH DIFFERENT HPP INTERVENTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES REQUIRED AND ONE OF THEM IS TO USE AN EVIDENCE-BASED ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION METHOD TO IDENTIFY FAMILIES MOST AT RISK OF

BECOMING HOMELESS. WHICH TOOL DOES DHS USED TO MAKE TARGETED REFERRALS? >> I WILL HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT WHICH IS STILL BEING USED. >> ANOTHER RESPONSIBILITY IS HAVING MULTIPLE LOCATIONS AND

COMMUNITIES IDENTIFIED AS BEING AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. AT WHAT LOCATION CAN FAMILIES ACCESS HPP? >> I HAVE THE ANSWER BASED ON THE EVIDENCE-BASED TOOL. >> SO ANOTHER RESPONSIBILITY IS HAVING

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS IDENTIFIED AS BEING AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. AT WHAT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN VIRGINIA WILLIAMS CAN FAMILIES ACCESS IT? >> THIS IS THE FRONT DOOR BUT THEN WE MAKE THE REFERRALS TO THE

PROVIDERS. >> IS THE PROVIDERS WHO ARE LOCATED IN THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITY'S? THIRD IS PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS TO INFORM RESIDENTS ABOUT THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS. HOW HAS

DHS GONE ABOUT THIS WORK IN RECENT YEARS? CAN YOU SHARE HOW MANY KINDS OF OUTREACH EVENTS THAT YOU HAVE DONE IN THIS AREA? >> WE GO THROUGH MANY JUST KIND OF COMMUNITY EVENTS, SET UP TABLES AND

AVERAGE 60 A YEAR. WE SET UP TABLES WITH RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITIES SO THIS IS ONE OF THE WAY TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY KNOWS HOW TO ACCESS RESOURCES. WHAT'S THE STATUTE ALSO REQUIRES THE HPP

PROVIDERS WHO CONDUCT LANDLORD AND TENANT MEDIATION, HELP THEM APPLY FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS, AND OFFERED JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT. WHAT TRAINING DOES DHS OFFER PROVIDER STAFF TO HELP THEM FULFILL THESE

POSSIBILITIES? >> WE HAVE A LONG LIST OF TRAININGS THAT WE OFFER. I CAN GET THOSE -- THAT LIST FOR YOU. FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE CONFLICT RESOLUTION. CONFLICT RESOLUTION, CUSTOMER SERVICE. DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE TRAINING. LANGUAGE ACCESS, TRAUMA INFORMED, ETC. >> OK. IF THOSE ARE RESPONSIBILITIES AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW YOU EVALUATE PROVIDERS, DO YOU TRACK MEDIATIONS AND NUMBERS OF SUCCESSFUL

MEDIATIONS BETWEEN LANDLORDS AND TENANTS? DO YOU TRACK NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS AND SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS OR JOB PLACEMENTS? THE NUMBER OF JOB PLACEMENTS THAT A PROVIDER HAS BEEN

ABLE TO ASSIST, IS THAT DATA YOU ARE TRACKING MONTH-TO-MONTH? >> I HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE JOB PLACEMENTS. THEY DON'T NECESSARILY DO THE JOB DEVELOPMENT THEMSELVES BUT PART OF THEIR RULE IS TO CONNECT

RESIDENTS TO THOSE PLACEMENTS. >> DO THEY DO THE MEDIATIONS THEMSELVES? DO THEY DO THE MEDIATIONS THEMSELVES? THEY HELP PEOPLE TO THEIR PUBLIC BENEFIT APPLICATIONS? IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW

THOSE ARE GOING. ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE ASKED ABOUT AND WE WILL GET MORE DATA ON IS THE NUMBER OF MULTIPLE -- PEOPLE WHO TURN UP MULTIPLE TIMES IN A YEAR OR IN A COUPLE OF YEARS. I WONDER IF THAT IS

HAPPENING, SOMEBODY CAME IN, CAME AN 8 -- EIGHT MONTHS LATER, ANOTHER SIX MONTHS, AT WHAT POINT DO YOU THINK THAT IS NOT THE SOLUTION FOR THIS PERSON? DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH OF A TRACK RECORD WITH THIS

WHERE YOU COULD COME UP WITH A POLICY AROUND AT WHAT POINT WE NEED TO GO TO A DIFFERENT TOOL? >> CHECK HOW MANY TIMES A PERSON KIND OF COMES BACK. THE AVERAGE IS STILL ONE. WELL WE KNOW SOME FAMILIES

ARE GOING TO COME BACK, THE MAJORITY ONLY COMES BACK ONE TIME. WE ALSO KNOW, COUNCILMEMBER, IS THERE IS A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE DISTRICT AND HOUSING IS VERY EXPENSIVE. SO THE SOLUTION

WOULD BE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE ARE NOT THE AGENTS -- WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A ROBUST SYSTEM OF THE FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY SO WE PROVIDE SAFETY FOR FAMILY AND WE HELP

THEM CONNECT TO RESOURCES THAT COULD HELP WITH LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I CAPTURE SOMETHING PEOPLE HAVE SAID IN CF MIKE -- IF I CANNOT GET YOU TO RESPOND TO THEM. ONE OF THE

THINGS THAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HIS AMBIGUITY ABOUT WHAT IS SAFE HOUSING. HAVE YOU PROVIDED PROVIDEHOUSINGTHAT CRITERIA STRA KEY ONE BECAUSE THE OTHERS ARE -- EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT FULLY DOCUMENTED,

FOLKS CAN GET SHELTERED. BUT THIS ONE, WHICH HAS AN ELEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO IT, I THINK -- THAT COULD BE A BLOCK. HOW DO YOU DEFINE IT? DO YOU THINK IT MAKES SENSE TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION FOR IT?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT MAKES SENSE TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION. THAT COULD BE PROVIDED IN REGULATIONS. >> OK. THE KEY ONE -- THERE WAS A SUGGESTION ABOUT HAVING A DASHBOARD WHERE THERE WOULD BE INFORMATION

ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE DAY-TO-DAY YOU WOULD PROVIDE IT. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE IDEA OF HAVING A PUBLIC FACING DASHBOARD SO WE CAN ALL SEE IN REAL TIME WHAT IS HAPPENING, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE

PRESENTING, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE PRESENTING MULTIPLE TIMES, WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE IDEA OF PROVIDING SUCH A DASHBOARD? >> CAN I GO BACK TO THE DEFINITION OF SAFE HOUSING?

THERE IS A DEFINITION OF SAFE HOUSING. WE DO FOLLOW THE DEFINITION OF SAFE HOUSING. THAT IS THE DEFINITION. >> SO REFER TO THAT. AND THE IDEA OF PROVIDING A DASHBOARD? >> SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY

THERE WOULD BE A REASON WE WOULD NOT. A PUBLIC FACING DASHBOARD. MAYBE I CAN GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT. I DON'T -- I CANNOT THINK OF WHY RIGHT NOW WE WOULD NOT. BUT I WOULD JUST REFER TO, IF I HAD THE

OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK TO YOU. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: AND I AM NOT TRAINED TO MAKE IT MORE COMPLICATED. YOU GUYS CREATED A PUBLIC FACING DASHBOARD AROUND VOUCHERS. I THINK IT WAS USEFUL. IT WAS

CHALLENGING TO UPDATE, BUT IT WAS USEFUL. THE CHA, -- DCHA, THAT IS USEFUL. THIS IS A DIFFERENT THING. THIS, I COULD SEE A DASHBOARD THAT INCLUDED -- THAT REFLECTS THIS PROJECT RECONNECT. WHAT ARE WE

DOING IN THIS SPACE? HOW OFTEN IS IT HAPPENING? WHERE IS IT HAPPENING? WE WOULD ALL BENEFIT FROM THIS BECAUSE I THINK THAT WE NEED TO GET CREATIVE ABOUT HOW WE RESPOND. YOU ARE RIGHT. THE FUNDAMENTAL

PROBLEM IS HOUSING AFFORDABILITY. BUT HOW IS IT THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE FACE, WE ARE RESPONDING? HOW WELL IS IT WORKING? A.D. PIERRE: I WILL ASK YOUR TEAM TO FOLLOW UP WITH WHAT WE

ARE CREATING IN TERMS OF A MONTHLY SITUATION, WITH THE DATA WE ALREADY HAVE. THIS IS SOMETHING YOU ARE SEEING AS WELL. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: OK. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ONE OF THE WITNESSES SUGGESTED

WAS A THIRD PARTY REVIEW, WHICH IS SORT OF WHAT WE WANT. AND THE SCRIPTS, WE WENT BACK AND FORTH ABOUT THEM. TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE IS A FEELING -- IT MIGHT BE RIGHT. IT MIGHT NOT BE RIGHT. BUT THAT

FRONT-LINE WORKERS ARE LOOKING FOR A REASON TO SAY NO. THE SCRIPTS COULD SHOW, WELL, HERE IS HOW WE GO THROUGH IT WITH FOLKS. AND YOU CAN SEE FROM OUR PAST THAT WE PURSUE WITH FOLKS -- WE NEED TO GET

DOCUMENTATION FOR DIFFERENT THINGS. EVERYTHING IS THERE FOR A REASON. IF FOLKS COULD SEE THE SCRIPTS, AND IF YOU DID NOT WANT TO SHARE THEM PUBLICLY, WE COULD GET THEM ON A BASIS WITH SOME

CONFIDENTIALITY. IT WOULD HELP US VALUE THE THINGS WE ARE HEARING. BUT ALSO THE IDEA OF A THIRD PARTY REVIEW. WHAT IF YOU GIVE THE IDEA OF APPROACHING SOMEONE TO SAY WE ARE FACING THIS CRITICISM. HERE

IS THE SCRIPT THAT WE HAVE OUR EMPLOYEES USE. TO THE EXTENT YOU THINK THERE IS SOMETHING IN HERE THAT IS CREATING THAT, IN YOUR VIEW, MISIMPRESSION, ARE THERE WAYS WE COULD ADDRESS IT? IS THERE A WAY

WE COULD DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE? A.D. PIERRE: I BELIEVE WE HAVE PROVIDED TO YOU, COUNCILMEMBER, THE INFORMATION. I HAVE ASKED MY TEAM, WHAT IS THE SCRIPT THAT WE ARE HEARING ABOUT? I AM NOT SURE. THE

INFORMATION THAT YOU ASKED SPECIFICALLY -- AND I THINK THAT LAUREN SHOWED ME. SHE SHARED IT WITH DAN AROUND THE ASSESSMENTS WE USE. THIS IS WHAT IS CONSIDERED A SCRIPT. YOU HAVE PROVIDED THAT. THE

ONLY ASSESSMENT I THINK WE HAVE NOT PROVIDED IS THE EVIDENCE-BASED TOOL THAT WE USE TO DETERMINE THE RIGHT INTERVENTION. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: MAYBE WHERE WE ARE IS THERE IS A FAMILY ASSESSMENT MAP.

A.D. PIERRE: THIS IS OUR ASSESSMENT. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: AND THE ASSESSMENT IS THIS IS WHAT THE WORKER GOES THROUGH. A.D. PIERRE: THIS IS THE ASSESSMENT. I DON'T WANT TO USE THE WORD SCRIPT BECAUSE

THAT IS NOT OUR WORD AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT WORD IS COMING FROM. THIS IS THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO HUNG UP ON THIS, BUT I THOUGHT THERE WAS A REFERENCE

THAT WE WERE GOING TO PROVIDE THE SCRIPT. A.D. PIERRE: THOSE OF THE DOCUMENTS WE PROVIDED LAST NIGHT WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT WE WOULD SAY. THOSE ARE THE DOCUMENTS. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: YOU ARE SAYING

THAT THESE ARE THE DOCUMENTS THAT YOU THOUGHT MAKING PUBLIC COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE AGENCY. YOU ARE SAYING THERE IS NOT A SCRIPT. A.D. PIERRE: IF THIS IS WHAT THEY CALL THE

SCRIPT. WE DON'T HAVE A DOCUMENT THAT IS CALLED THE SCRIPT. THIS IS THE TOOL THAT IS USED. WHEN I RECHECKED WHAT WAS REQUESTED, THE ONLY TOPIC OF THE -- COPY OF THE TOOL YOU DO NOT HAVE RIGHT NOW IS

THE WEST END. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: THE CONSUMER ADVISORY GROUP -- WHAT IS THAT? A.D. PIERRE: THERE IS A CUSTOMER ADVISORY GROUP TO THE ICH, BUT BEFORE, WE HAVE A GROUP TO TRY TO REFORM AND MAKE

CHANGES TO OUR RAPID HOUSING PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES. THAT DID SUNSET A COUPLE YEARS AGO. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: BUT IT WAS FOCUSED ON RAPID REHOUSING? A.D. PIERRE: IT WAS FOCUSED ON RAPID REHOUSING, YES.

THROUGH THE ICH, WE HAVE CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: SO A DIFFERENT THING THAT WAS RAISED IN THE TESTIMONY WAS AN EMPLOYEE THAT USED TO HAVE A DESK AND NOW DOES NOT HAVE A DESK. IT NOW

HAS FORMS IN ONE PLACE. WHY NOT HAVE THEM ON SITE? A.D. PIERRE: SO, THE DHS LEASES THE SPACE. ONE OF OUR POLICE AGREEMENTS IS THAT WE CAN ONLY HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PROVIDERS IN THE SPACE. WE CAN

ONLY HAVE PROVIDERS -- THE LEGAL CLINIC IS NOT ONE OF OUR PROVIDERS. WE CAN ONLY HAVE PROVIDERS IN THE SPACE. THE CARDS, THEY ARE STILL ALLOWED TO BE -- BUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS LOCATION AND

THE LAST LOCATION IS THAT THE FRONT DOOR SECURITY WAS NOT SUFFICIENT. THEY WANTED SECURITY. NOW, IT IS LOCATED WITHIN OUR HEADQUARTERS, AND WE HAVE OTHER TENANTS IN THAT BUILDING, MEANING THAT WE

DON'T OWN THE BUILDING. THERE ARE OTHER BUSINESSES. THERE IS BUILDING SECURITY. WE ASK THAT THE BUILDING SECURITY CANNOT RECEIVE THEIR FORMAL HABITS ON THE DESK OF BUILDING SECURITY. BUT THEY CAN BE

ON THE FRONT DESK OF THE VIRGINIA WILLIAMS SECURITY. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: ARE YOU SUGGESTING IT IS NOT A POLICY DECISION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE THEM PRESENT OR NOT, BUT THAT IT IS A PROHIBITION

ON THE POLICE, THAT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED? A.D. PIERRE: THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING. ONE, THE SPACE IS MUCH SMALLER. THEY WERE NOT COLOCATED WITH US. WHEN WE HAD THE OFFICE ON RHODE ISLAND AVENUE -- MY

UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THE USAGE HAS COME AND YOU WOULD -- THEY WOULD STAND IN THE WAITING ROOM AND AT SOME POINT THEY WERE PROVIDED WITH A DESK AND A CHAIR. THEY HAD A PRESENCE THERE. WHEN WE MOVED

TO THE OFFICE TO OUR HEADQUARTERS, THERE WAS CONVERSATION ABOUT WHICH PROVIDERS WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO CO-LOCATE. WHEN WE ASSESS WHETHER OR NOT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE LEGAL CLINIC,

WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A PROVIDER. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: WITH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FRICTION -- I WONDER WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO TRY TO HAVE MONTHLY OR SOME

PERIODIC LEGAL CLINIC ABOUT THE THINGS THEY ARE HEARING, OR TO HAVE A FEEDBACK LOOP, BECAUSE THEY ARE DEALING WITH -- IS IT BETTER TO BE HAVING AN ONGOING CONVERSATION THAN TO HAVE FINGER-POINTING?

COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: MIKE -- A.D. PIERRE: MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT MEETINGS ARE HAPPENING. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE WAS A SCHEDULING ISSUE BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF THE LEGAL CLINIC AND MY DEPUTY

ADMINISTRATOR. TRYING TO GET THIS MEETING BACK, IT IS NOT THAT WE ARE NOT OPEN. I THINK IT HAS BEEN SCHEDULING A MEETING. WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION. I HAVE HEARD DIRECTLY ON THESE ISSUES

-- I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM AMBER RECENTLY. BUT ABSOLUTELY VERY OPEN TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE LEGAL CLINIC. ALSO, THE INFORMATION IS ON THE FORM WHEN WE SUBMIT A NOTICE OF ELIGIBILITY. WE DO INFORM

RESIDENTS ON THEIR APPEAL RIGHTS, AS WELL AS DEDICATED RESOURCES TO HELP. WE LIST THE INFORMATION FOR THE LEGAL CLINIC. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: REALLY HONESTLY, LAST COUPLE OF THINGS. I WANT TO BRING UP

AN ISSUE MY TEAM FLAG FOR YOURS LAST WEEK. THE OPERATOR HAS PAUSE THE PLANS TO OPEN A NEW MEDICAL RESPITE SITE BECAUSE DHS AND DGS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO KEEP THE ELEVATORS AND THE WHEELCHAIRS AT THE

SITE OPERATIONAL. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY ELEVATORS -- IT IS NOT UNIQUE TO THIS BUILDING. IT IS NOT UNIQUE TO YOUR AGENCY. WHAT IS THE PLAN? IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE THAT MEDICAL RESPITE FACILITY.

A.D. PIERRE: MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE DO HAVE ONE FUNCTIONAL ELEVATOR. THE OTHER ONE, WE ARE TRYING TO GET A TIMELINE FOR THE REPAIRS. ONE IS FUNCTIONAL. E STREET IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING

REPLACED BY THE END OF OCTOBER. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT. LET'S SEE IF WE CAN'T GET THOSE THINGS FIXED AND GOING. ALSO, IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET THAT WE ARE NOW A WEEK INTO, WE FUNDED

DEDICATED GRANTS, ONE FOR THE DROP IN CENTER AND ONE TO SUPPORT ANOTHER PROGRAM. WHAT IS THE STATUS OF ARRANGING FOR THE PAYMENT OF THOSE? A.D. PIERRE: WE ARE GOING THROUGH OUR GRANTS RIGHT NOW. DAY

NINE OF THE FISCAL YEAR -- THE PLAN IS TO TRY TO GET ALL THE GRANTS OUT BY THE END OF THIS MONTH. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: GREAT, THANK YOU. WE ALSO FUNDED INCREASED CAPACITY AT THE ASTON FROM THE 100 TO

THE SITE'S MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY. HAS DHS BEEN ABLE TO WORK WITH THE OPERATOR TO STEP UP? A.D. PIERRE: YES, SO THE CURRENT PLAN -- THERE IS A LOT OF FINE PRINT. THE PLANE IS TO START INCREASING CAPACITY.

COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: IT WAS ALWAYS THE CASE THAT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WORK HAD TO BE DONE. MAYBE TO BE DONE TO GET THE UNITS IN PLAY AND READY, THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND JANUARY?

AND THEN YOU WILL START? COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: YES. -- A.D. PIERRE: YES. COUNCILMEMBER FRUMIN: YOU HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENT. I AM STARVING. YOU MUST BE STARVING. WITH THAT, THAT CONCLUDES TODAY'S PUBLIC

ROUNDTABLE. IF YOU PLAN ON SUBMITTING WRITTEN TESTIMONY FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE DO SO BY UPLOADING IT TO THE COUNCIL'S ONLINE SYSTEM BEFORE THE RECORD CLOSES AT 5:00 P.M. ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 2,

2026. THE TIME IS NOW 3:20 P.M., AND THIS ROUNDTABLE IS ADJOURNED.