DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the completion of The Terrell, a short-term family housing site in Ward 1 for families experiencing homelessness.
The initiative is part of the city’s plan to end homelessness, aiming to replace a large DC shelter with short-term housing in multiple small spaces for families in need.
“We are excited to soon be welcoming families in Ward 1 and across the District to this beautiful facility,” Mayor Bowser said in a release. “We started this journey to replace DC General with short-term family housing sites in all eight wards because we knew it would take a city-wide solution to end homelessness. Now with The Terrell, we are one step closer to ensuring all families have access to safe and dignified housing.”
The shelter is named “The Terrell” in honor of Mary Church Terrell, the DC-based national activist for civil rights and suffrage, who was one of the first Black women to earn a college degree. Terrell taught in the Latin Department at DC’s M Street school, the first African American public high school in the US.
The short-term family housing site includes 35 apartment-style housing units for families experiencing homelessness and 15 permanent supportive housing units for seniors, according to the Mayor’s Office.
The site offers on-site parking, an outdoor play and activity space, two community rooms, conference rooms, administrative space for staff and providers, and more.
There will also be programs offered to help families with stabilizing and exiting homelessness.
“I’m thrilled that Ward 1 will now offer short-term family housing at The Terrell to better serve our vulnerable residents, and ensure families are able to remain in their community as they receive assistance,” Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau said in a statement.
“We are fortunate that this site will also include permanent supportive housing for our senior women. The District has committed to providing dignified, safe, and secure housing with wraparound services for families in each ward, and I’m grateful to all those who worked to bring us to this day,” Nadeau added.
Residents will start moving into The Terrell in March 2021.
Prior to the completion of The Terrell seven other short-term family housing sites opened around the District: The Brooks in Ward 3, The Kennedy in Ward 4, The Sterling in Ward 5, The Aya in Ward 6, The Horizon in Ward 7, The Triumph in Ward 8, and The W.J. Rolark in Ward 8.