Permanent Supportive Housing:
A Foundation for Stability
A Foundation for Stability
Open Arms Housing exclusively manages two single-site PSH buildings-the Dunbar and Owen Place. Both facilities are apartment-style buildings housing women and families experiencing homelessness with on-site support services. The availability of an on-site certified Peer Specialist and Case Managers with whom clients can consult, arrange benefits, and request access to mobile treatment teams, helps to ensure accessibility to supportive services at a level and pace determined by the residents. Through our Private-Public PSH Partership Program we also currently assist with providing support for on-site services for three other locations: Ainger Place, South Capitol Apartmetn and Kenilworth Courts.
Integrating Housing with Essential Services
From its conception, Open Arms has stressed the provision of quality living spaces with full bath and kitchen for each resident; shared common space; customization of units to meet the special mobility and other needs of residents; a secure and safe building to call home; and effective property management that keeps each unit a healthy and responsive place to live.
Flexible Housing, Holistic Support
A look at the integral components that make our Scattered-Site Housing effective.
Housing First Model
Implementing a low-barrier, Housing First approach, prioritizing housing without mandatory service acceptance.
Community and Connectivity
Encouraging community engagement and integration, fostering a sense of belonging and social interaction.
Empowering Residents
Emphasis on resident empowerment through financial management and life skills development.
Accessibility and Inclusion
Facilities designed for diverse needs, featuring wheelchair-accessible units and inclusive community spaces.
Individualized Support Services
Tailored support including crisis intervention, financial management, and assistance with daily activities.
Quality Living Spaces
Each resident enjoys a personalized living space with essential amenities, upholding their dignity and privacy.
The Dunbar
The Dunbar was the first female-only single-site permanent supportive housing (PSH) project for women and families unaccompanied by children. The Dunbar building began housing residents in the Fall of 2009. Each woman has her own efficiency apartment with a full kitchen and bathroom. The building has three wheelchair accessible units, and a community room with shared phones, television, computers, and space for meetings and get-togethers.
Owen House
Open Arms Housing’s second building, Owen House, opened in Fall of 2015 in the Trinidad neighborhood. Owen includes four one-bedroom apartments.
Ainger Place
The Michaels Organization, in partnership with Ainger Place Development Corporation, developed Ainger Place Apartments. Ainger Place is a three-story mid-rise, 72-unit, affordable multifamily housing development located in Ward-8.
Ainger Place currently incorporates eight Permanent Supportive Housing units, for women and families at risk of homelessness, who receives individual case management and supportive services.
South Capitol
South Cap introduces 195 high-quality, affordable residences to Washington D.C., offering studio, one, two, and three-bedroom layouts. With convenient amenities like a food mart and Advisory Neighborhood Council office for the eighth district on the ground floor, as well as underground resident parking, South Cap ensures comfort and accessibility. South Cap currently incorporates 40 units set aside for permanent supportive housing; 20 units for individuals, 20 units for families. AH currently provides case management and supportive services to the 20individuals at risk of homelessness.
Kenilworth Courts
Kenilworth Courts is a redevelopment project with multiple phases. This is a partnership between the District of Columbia Housing Authority, The Michaels Corporation, and The Warrenton Group. Kenilworth Courts community is home to a multi-family building, senior building, stacked flats, and townhomes. The multi-family building has a total of 67 units, while the senior building has a total of 42 units. There are stacked flat units as well as townhomes on the property. The senior building is specifically for those individuals who are 55 years of age or older. At the end of all phases, there will be a total of 512 affordable units. Kenilworth Courts has a total of 17 permanent supportive housing units spread throughout the senior building and the multi-family building. The individuals within the 17 PSH units will receive case management and supportive services from OAH staff.
Hear from Our Residents
“Open Arms Staff worked hard to get me housed from my shelter when I was homeless. The stability of having a home has started me on a path of WANTING to get well mentally and get some semblance of my old life back. I know with continued hard work, I can have a life that is not grounded in fear of my surroundings or future.”
Lisa
Resident
“Open Arms and my Case Manager assisted me with providing me the move in fees ,so that I was able to move into my apartment early . My case manager consistently assisted me extra things she didn’t have to which included helping me go get food deliveries. This agency is awesome. My case worker Ms. Morgan is the best and I’m really thankful for all this help.”
Dorothy Sharpe
Resident
“I would like to send my appreciation to Open Arms Housing and the best-case manager I have had Miss Ettel for helping me with my housing. Thank you OAH and Miss Ettel.”
Regina Okumko
Resident
Support Open Arms Housing
Help us extend our reach. Every contribution counts.
