DC Mayor Muriel Bowser cut the ribbon Monday on the new 801 East Men’s Shelter in Ward 8, following a major renovation work at the St. Elizabeths East campus.
“Since launching Homeward DC, we have been on a mission to transform our homeless services system so that we can prevent a shelter experience for more people, so that we can provide safe and dignified shelter when families and individuals do need somewhere to go, and so that we can expand access to housing supports and permanent supportive housing,” said Mayor Bowser.
The shelter that cost the city around $56 million will be serving single adults experiencing homelessness.
Describing the opening of the 88,000 square-foot shelter as a “milestone” in her Homeward DC plan, Bowser stated that her administration’s goal was to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
“This new shelter recognizes that not every person’s experience with homelessness is the same and it is designed to meet men where they are when they walk through the door,” the mayor said.
The new 801 East Men’s Shelter will be a place where men can come to get connected to services or to do laundry, get a haircut, or to just warm up. Building new shelters is a critical part of our work to get more people into permanent housing. pic.twitter.com/F6035z104R
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 25, 2022
The facility features 396 beds, a low-barrier shelter, a work bed program, and beds for seniors and people with medical needs. There is also a new daytime services center which includes a mail room, computer lab, barbershop, and laundry facility.
Housing-focused case management, behavioral health and harm reduction supports, and a culinary training program will be offered at the center, as well.
“I’m thrilled to be welcoming people into this spectacular space that offers a setting that is consistent with our values,” Laura Zeilinger, Director of the Department of Human Services, said. “This new program space is designed to respect the dignity and humanity of the people we will serve here.”
Homelessness in the District of Columbia dropped by 20 percent between 2020 and 2021, according to official data.