Government and Community Resources

Community Organizations and Resources

• Arts, Culture & Community Space
  • BloomBars is a nonprofit arts and community space offering performances, classes, and youth programming.
  • Dandelion Collective is home to wellness professionals offering services such as mental health counseling, massage therapy, personal training, and career counseling.
  • GALA Hispanic Theatre is a major Latino cultural institution that produces bilingual and Spanish-language theater and educational programs.
• Business and Economic Development
  • Development Corporation of Columbia Heights is a long-standing nonprofit involved in economic and community development in the neighborhood.
  • Latino Economic Development Center, based in Columbia Heights, catalyzes economic advancement of Latinos and local communities by bridging the gap to capital and resources to achieve financial prosperity.
  • Greater Washington Urban League, also based in Columbia Heights, elevates the economic and political power of historically marginalized communities—Black and people of color—so that every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
  • District Bridges, which runs the Columbia Heights-Mount Pleasant Main Street Program, is a community-based economic development organization.
• Children and Families
  • The Latin American Youth Center provides housing, health and wellness care, academic support, and job training (among other services) to low-income and LGBTQ+ youth.
  • Mothers Outreach Network offers legal advice, representation, and know-your-rights outreach events to parents facing allegations of child abuse or neglect. (They are also currently accepting donations for their guaranteed income pilot program, MotherUp, which gives cash directly to low-income mothers.)
  • Playtime Project provides structured play to children living in emergency housing shelters, domestic violence shelters, subsidized housing sites, and other community sites across D.C. and Prince George’s County.
• Migrant Services
  • Homes Not Borders helps refugees and asylum seekers get settled in new homes. Donations can go directly toward gas, moving costs, or furniture. 
  • Many Languages One Voice organizes immigrant communities and their allies — particularly people with low English proficiency — to become civically engaged in their communities. They also provide direct cash assistance and at-home know-your-rights trainings.
• LGBTQIA+
  • The DC Center offers peer support groups, sexual health services including HIV testing, clothing and food, and free mental health services to LGBTQ+ residents.
  • DC LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition is a collection of queer and ally organizations that advocate for D.C. budget spending to support LGBTQ+ residents.
  • Rainbow Families provides support groups, playgroups, trainings, and other resources for LGBTQ+ families and parents (or parents-to-be).
  • SMYAL supports LGBTQ+ youth with housing, mental health, and other resources.

Public Safety and Victim Services

• 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 at imminent risk of displacement. Email: Project.Reconnect@dc.gov
• 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

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.

Food Access

Many DC residents struggle with food access, housing insecurity, and managing 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.
• Food for All DC is a volunteer-run group that provides meals to people across D.C.
• Ward 1 Mutual Aid is helping provide groceries, produce, and basic household essentials to neighbors across Ward 1.
• Bread for the City provides food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services to reduce the burden of poverty. Contact them here.
• Martha’s Table supports strong children, strong families, and strong communities in Washington, D.C. Email: info@marthastable.org Phone: 202-328-6608.
• UPO helps residents overcome barriers to education, employment, health, and housing. Phone: 202-610-5900.
• Miriam’s Kitchen supports residents with meals, bathrooms, and other social services.
• Thrive DC supports unhoused residents by providing clothing, meals, toiletries, and wraparound services.

Behavioral Health

• Department of Behavioral Health Community Response Team supports 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

Health & Human Services

• The DC Abortion Fund helps people across the country get an abortion.
• EC4DC is a new mutual aid organization supplying D.C. residents with free Plan B. (You can donate directly or sign up to create a new distribution site.) 
• HIPS DC is a harm reduction and advocacy organization that supports sex workers and people who use drugs.
• La Clínica del Pueblo provides a range of health and medical services to D.C.’s Latino community, as well as programming specifically for LGBTQ+ residents.

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 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
• Contact the Office of the Tenant Advocate at 202-719-6560 for advice on your rights as a tenant.
• Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network (LTLAN) is a referral hotline for eviction defense in D.C., where low-income tenants can get free legal advice and representation. Tenants who make more than the income threshold for LTLAN should check out the Landlord Tenant Resource Center run by the DC Bar Pro Bono Center.
• Mi Casa provides technical assistance and training to low-income tenant groups exercising their right of first purchase under TOPA.
• ONE DC assists residents who are looking to organize a tenants’ union or association.
• Here is information about low-barrier emergency shelters across the District.
• Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless provides low-barrier legal assistance for homeless residents or residents at risk of becoming homeless. They also offer volunteer opportunities for lawyers and residents looking to advocate on housing policy.
• Search for housing opportunities in the District through DC Housing Search.
• Apply to buy an affordable home through DCHD’s Inclusionary Zoning Program.
• 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.
• Contact DCRA to request a housing code inspection by calling 202-442-9557, emailing dcra.housingcomplaints@dc.gov, or filing a complaint online.
• DHCD’s Employer-Assisted Housing Program provides DC government employees with affordable financing and funding for their first-time home purchase.
• Contact the Office of the People’s Counsel at 202-727-3071 or info@opc-dc.gov for advice on utilities.
• 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.

Worker Rights and Unemployment

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

• File 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.
• The 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 info@dcjwj.org.
• 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, ensuring access to justice.

• 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 offers 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.
• 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.
• Tzedek DC can support you with debt and other consumer issues, such as fraud, scams, and predatory loans. Contact them online or by calling 202-274-7386.
• Free legal support for tenants and unrepresented small housing providers on residential housing disputes in DC.
• 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.
• 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.
• The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless offers legal assistance to unhoused DC residents or residents at risk of losing their homes. Call them at 202-328-5500 or email them at info@legalclinic.org.
• 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.
• 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 and Economic Development

Office of Tax and Revenue

• MyTax.DC.gov is the Office of Tax and Revenue’s (OTR) online tax system. The system houses individual income, business, and real property taxes and fees administered by OTR.
• Online property tax portal to research whether properties in your neighborhood are being assessed by DCRA and taxed by OTR as vacant or blighted
• Free Tax Preparation Assistance for DC residents. A listing maintained by DISB for individuals needing tax preparation assistance.
• Points of Contact and Useful Information in the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue, including how to sign up for MyTax.DC.gov, responding to a verification letter, and following up on a missing return.

Department of Motor Vehicles 

• Nearly 60 DMV services are now available online.
• If you already have a DC REAL ID or a DC Limited Purpose License, you can renew it online.