Community Resources

Table of Contents

1. Local Organizations and Resources
2. Public Safety and Victim Services
3. Food Insecurity and Mental Health
4. Housing and Utilities
5. Worker Rights and Unemployment
6. Legal Assistance
7. Small Businesses
8. DC Department of Motor Vehicles
9. Office of Unified Communications
10. DC Office of Tax and Revenue

Local Organizations and Resources

• The Anacostia Library opened in April 2010 serving the District’s highest population of youth under 18. A hub in the Anacostia community, it offers resources beyond a quiet space for reading. Email: [email protected] , Phone: 202-715-7707.
• Fairlawn Citizens Association is a non-profit group of residents who live in the Fairlawn community.
• Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC) was established in 1983 as a volunteer, membership consortium of organizations and individuals involved with the revitalization of Anacostia and its adjacent neighborhoods. Email: [email protected]
• Anacostia Parks & Community Collaborative (APACC) is a network of organizations committed to maximizing the value of public spaces along the Anacostia River to residents of Wards 7 and 8 in the District of Columbia.

Public Safety and Victim Services

Active District Resources (with Contact Information):

• DC Victim Hotline provides immediate crisis intervention, safety planning, emergency shelter placement, and referrals to Crime Victims Compensation and other survivor supports. 24/7 Phone: 1-844-4HELPDC (1-844-443-5732)
• Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants – Crime Victims Compensation Program Assists eligible victims with emergency housing, relocation costs, and related expenses. Intake often begins through the DC Victim Hotline. Phone: (202) 727-4328.
• Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (Families with children) Coordinates emergency shelter placement and stabilization services for families facing immediate housing loss. Phone: (202) 526-0017
• Project Reconnect (Single adults) provides intake, emergency shelter referrals, and case management connections for single adults experiencing imminent displacement. Email: [email protected]
• House of Ruth DC offers emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and trauma-informed services for survivors of domestic violence.y. 24-Hour Hotline: (202) 667-7001
• DC SAFE provides confidential emergency shelter and comprehensive advocacy services for survivors. 24-Hour Hotline (via DC Victim Hotline): 1-844-443-5732

Food Insecurity and Mental Health

Many DC residents struggle with food insecurity and their mental health.

Here are some resources for you and your family:

• Apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
• Capital Area Food Bank Emergency Food Provider Map for locations of CAFB programs and public partners.
• Slow Food DC helps grow, educate, and provide healthy and fair food
• East of the River Mutual Aid is helping provide groceries, produce and basic household essentials to neighbors across Wards 7 & 8.
• Department of Behavior Health Community Response Team to support adults who are experiencing emotional, psychiatric or substance use vulnerabilities: 202-673-6495
• DC’s Mental Health 24-hour hotline staffed by behavioral health professionals: 1-888-793-4357
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline available to anyone in distress: 988

Housing and Utilities

DC has a wide range of housing resources available for residents.

Here are some key places to seek housing assistance:

• Apply for emergency rental assistance through the DC ERAP program.
• You can also get support from utility providers to pay your gas bill, water bill, or electric bill
• Keep up with Washington Gas’ pipeline replacement project and work happening in your neighborhood through the PROJECTPipes website
• Contact the Office of the Tenant Advocate at 202-719-6560 for advice on your rights as a tenant
• Contact the Office of the People’s Counsel at 202-727-3071 or [email protected] for advice on utilities
• Here is information about low-barrier emergency shelters across the District
• DC’s Emergency Shelter Hotline for transportation to a shelter is 202-399-7093
• Search for housing opportunities in the District through DC Housing Search
• Apply to buy an affordable home through DCHD’s Inclusionary Zoning Program
• Contact DCRA to request a housing code inspection by calling 202-442-9557, emailing [email protected], or filing a complaint online
• The Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP) provides grants for roof repairs and modifications to eliminate barriers to accessibility for persons
• The Department of Aging and Community Living’s Safe at Home provides safety adaptations in and around the homes of qualifying Seniors and adults with disabilities
• DHCD’s Home Purchase Assistance Program provides financial assistance to eligible residents purchasing their first home.
• DHCD’s Employer-Assisted Housing Program provides DC government employees with affordable financing and funding for their first-time home purchase

Worker Rights and Unemployment

Valuable resources for unemployment benefits and worker rights in the District:

• Starting filing an unemployment claim through the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES)
• Check the status of your unemployment claim through this DOES portal or call 202-724-7000
• DC Unemployment: the American Rescue Plan, a factsheet from DOES
• DOES also allows you to file a wage theft claim or a workers compensation claim
• Washington Lawyers Committee has a Workers’ Rights Clinic offering free legal support to workers
• Apply for DC Paid Family Leave: 8 weeks for a new child, 6 weeks to care for a sick family member, and 2 weeks for personal medical leave for any private sector employee in the District
• First Shift Justice provides legal aid to pregnant women and new parents on work and family issues
• Know Your Rights DC, a website in English and Spanish with information on your right to paid sick leave, preventing wage theft, and your right to not have a criminal record count against you as a job applicant
• DC Jobs with Justice helps empower workers in the District. Contact them at [email protected]
• Start the process of forming a union in your workplace

Legal Assistance

A number of organizations provide free or low-cost legal advice and representation to DC residents.

• Pro Bono Center Legal Helpline: Contact the DC Bar Pro Bono Helpline at 202-626-3499 anytime for an automated system in Amharic, English, French, or Spanish to find information on legal resources in DC
• Legal Aid Society: Free legal advice for low-income DC residents with little or no income on housing, family law, domestic violence, public benefits, debt, and consumer issues.
• Bread for the City: No cost legal advice and representation for low-income DC residents on housing issues, family law, immigration, and public benefits.
• Worker Rights: Contact the Washington Lawyers Committee Workers’ Rights Clinic at 202-319-1000 ext. 118 (or 202-319-1000 ext. 123 for Spanish) to schedule a telephonic intake appointment.
• Debt and Consumer Issues: Tzedek DC can support you with debt and other consumer issues like fraud, scams, and predatory loans. Contact them online or by calling 202-274-7386
• Landlord-Tenant Legal Assistance Network: Free legal support for tenants and unrepresented small housing providers on residential housing disputes in DC
• Immigration: Some of the DC-based organizations providing immigration legal services include Ayuda, Catholic Charities, CARECEN-DC, CAIR Coalition, DC Affordable Law Firm, and DC Bar Pro Bono Center.
• Seniors: DC seniors can call the AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly Legal Hotline at 202-434-2120 in English or Spanish for advice, assistance or referrals
• Unhoused Residents: the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless offers legal assistance to unhoused DC residents or residents at risk of losing their home. Call them at 202-328-5500 or email them at [email protected].
• Children: Children’s Law Center provides legal services on civil matters to children, low-income parents, and caregivers.  Call them at 202-467-4900 or fill out their online form
• DC Attorney General: Find out more about your consumer rights, tenant rights, and worker rights — or file a complaint with the Office of the DC Attorney General

Small Businesses

Resources, information, and programs to help our incredible local businesses:

• The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) has a wealth of information for District small businesses as well as grant and certification programs to tap into.
• The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) has resources to support job creation and economic growth in DC. Keep an eye on their grant opportunities.
• DHCD offers Small Business Technical Assistance through nonprofits with expert small business advisors and coaches that help District residents start and grow their businesses.
• The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers high one-on-one consulting, training, and information resources to empower new and existing businesses in the District.
• The Women Business Center (WBC) provides training and counseling to women entrepreneurs in the DC region, especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged.
• The Procurement and Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) offers DC-based small businesses personalized resources to help them navigate the government contracting process successfully.
• The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a set of experienced executives who volunteer their experience to help small businesses and nonprofits start, develop, and grow businesses in the DMV.

DC Department of Motor Vehicles 

Useful information on accessing DMV services during the pandemic:

• Nearly 60 DMV services are now available online.
• Private Sale Vehicle Registration can now be done online too.
• If you already have a DC REAL ID or a DC Limited Purpose License, you can renew it online.

Office of Unified Communications

The Office of Unified Communications (OUC) manages both 311 and 911 calls in the District:

• 311 Requests: You can make a direct request for DC government non-emergency services by visiting the 311 website, calling 311, texting 32311, or downloading the DC311 app for iPhone or Android.
• 911 Emergencies: calling or texting 911 helps you connect to police, fire, and emergency services. Learn about the different ways to connect to 911.