Our Mission

At the District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH), we envision a world where domestic and sexual violence are not tolerated—and every home is a safe home.

We believe that safe housing is a basic human right. Our mission is to ensure that all survivors of domestic and sexual violence have access to inclusive, empowering, and trauma-informed services—voluntarily and without barriers.

We work to create a culture where no survivor has to choose between abuse and homelessness. Through a continuum of emergency and transitional housing programs, flexible financial assistance, and holistic services, we empower survivors to rebuild their lives on their own terms.

Our Approach

DASH provides access to safe housing and support services that are:

Low-barrier
Voluntary
Trauma-informed

Our services are designed to meet the unique needs of each survivor and their family.

We focus on strengths, prioritize safety, and promote long-term stability—physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

Our Story

Founded in 2006, DASH was created in response to a devastating service gap: survivors fleeing abuse were routinely turned away from housing programs due to lack of space, restrictive eligibility criteria, or complex service mandates. We built DASH on a radically simple belief:

Every survivor deserves access to safe housing and the freedom to rebuild their life on their own terms.

DASH has become a national model for trauma-informed services that are inclusive, survivor-centered, and rooted in dignity and self-determination.

Our Programs

Housing Resource Center

DASH’s central intake point, where survivors are supported with needs assessments, safety planning, and referrals and resources.

Cornerstone

Provides 41 fully furnished transitional housing units and one emergency housing unit, offering trauma-informed services and wellness programming on-site for survivors and their children.

Empowerment Project

A scattered-site, transitional-to-permanent housing program that includes rental subsidies, utilities support, holistic services, and flexible financial assistance.

Right to Dream

A scattered-site transitional-to-permanent housing program designed for transition-aged youth (18–24), that includes rental subsidies, utilities support, wraparound services, and flexible financial assistance.

Survivor Resilience Fund

One-time financial assistance to help survivors overcome barriers to safe housing, covering costs such as security deposits, first month’s rent, rental arrears and other essential needs.

Safe Nights Fund

Provides temporary safe housing through hotel stays and support for survivors and their families who are awaiting long-term housing placement.

Learn More About Our Programs

Our Advocacy

Beyond direct services, DASH works to transform the systems that perpetuate housing insecurity and gender-based violence.

We advocate at the local and national levels for policies that advance survivor access to safe housing, economic security, and long-term stability. DASH’s policy efforts have led to increased investment in housing solutions and the inclusion of survivor voices in housing and homelessness planning.

Through coalition-building and advocacy, DASH helps shape the future of survivor-centered housing policy and pushes systems to be more equitable, responsive, and trauma-informed.

*A Survivor’s Journey: The Domestic Violence Awareness Mural*,
2010, Joel Bergner

We support partner agencies in the national capital region and throughout the United States in increasing their capacity to assist survivors in accessing safe housing.

DASH educates policymakers and service providers nationwide on the principles and best practices of successfully assisting survivors of domestic violence in recognizing that they are empowered and whole.

Rooted in equity and driven by impact, DASH is reshaping what’s possible for survivors—not only by offering refuge but by restoring hope and rebuilding lives.

Fractals, 2021, Hannah Atallah — *Fractals*, 2021, Hannah Atallah

Our History

2006

DASH is founded by Peg Hacskaylo to address the lack of safe housing for survivors of domestic violence.

2007

The Housing Resource Center, DASH’s first program, opens offering the first one-stop shop to help survivors access safe housing throughout the District.

2008

Empowerment Project is launched to provide scattered site transitional-to-permanent housing for survivors and their families.

2009

Huruma Place, a temporary housing program, is opened, doubling the number of safe beds in the District from 48 to 96.

2010

Cornerstone Program opens, providing 42 units to replace Huruma Place as the District’s largest safe housing facility.

2013

Survivor Resilience Fund begins, providing flexible financial relief for survivors to overcome barriers to safe housing.

2020

Right to Dream is launched to provide 20 scattered site transitional-to-permanent housing for transitioning youth survivors (18-24 years).

2021

DASH launches Safe Nights Fund to provide immediate safe nights through hotel stays to survivors and their families.