DC Looking For Move-In Ready Apartments as Emergency Shelter For the Homeless

• April 17th 2017

by Nena Perry-Brown

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Earlier this month, the Board of Zoning Adjustment granted approval to two new city homeless shelters, paving the way for the closure of DC General and its replacement with smaller centers in each ward.

Now, the city is expanding its approach to housing the homeless by seeking property owners willing to create additional emergency shelter units.

The Department of Human Services and Department of General Services is putting out the call for multifamily properties the city would lease in order to temporarily house homeless families. This solicitation includes several preferences, although there is some flexibility built into the request.

For example, buildings containing 15-50 units are preferred — especially those with 25-50 units; however, situations in which fewer than 15 units are available will be considered in certain locations. One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are preferred; however, studios could also be considered.

Ideally, the sites would be within two blocks of a Metro station; however, sites within 3-4 blocks of a Metro or Circulator bus stop that connects to a Metro station will also be considered. The city is requesting move-in ready residential apartments; however, existing units that require renovation, buildings that could be converted into apartments or new construction may also be suitable.

“Property owners will deliver a completed turn-key project to the District, and will be responsible for the repair, maintenance and turnover of the units,” the solicitation reads. The city would enter a 2-3 year lease at market value with the property owner with option to extend.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/dc_iso_move-in_ready_apartments_for_emergency_shelter/12458.