DASH NEWS RELEASE : May 20, 2009
DASH Joins Mayor Fenty in Marking the District’s Successful Commitment
to Housing for Domestic Violence Survivors:
Mayor’s initiative helps DASH to triple emergency
domestic violence housing in the city
Washington, DC—The District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH) today joined Mayor Adrian M. Fenty at the Lighthouse Center for Healing at a ceremony that marked notable achievements in the city’s commitment to house the homeless. The occasion spotlights remarkable growth in domestic violence safe housing in the District.
“The Mayor’s commitment to funding domestic violence housing sends two very important messages,” said DASH Executive Director Peg Hacskaylo. “It means that women and children in our city will not have to choose between living without a home and living without abuse, and anyone made homeless by domestic violence is entitled to safe housing developed specifically to meet their needs.”
With the recent opening of its Huruma Place housing program, DASH doubled the number of domestic violence “emergency beds” in the District from 48 to 96. In June, when DASH opens Huruma Place II, that number will reach 136. The rapid growth in domestic violence emergency safe housing is a direct result of Mayor Fenty’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that the District prioritizes housing for domestic violence survivors and their children.
“Because domestic violence is a primary cause of homelessness among women and children, the urgency to provide safe housing options cannot be understated,” said Hacskaylo. “DASH is proud to be a leader in the expansion of safe housing in our city.”
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