WASHINGTON — A new housing option celebrated Monday is a part of a transformation of D.C.’s shelter system.
Mayor Muriel Bowser cut the ribbon on The Aston, is a new non-congregate housing option as a part of D.C.’s adult homeless services system. The former-George Washington University dormitory has semi-private rooms and individualized case management to help find permanent housing, according to the mayor’s office.
The Aston is meant for three main groups: first, families with no children under 18, couples and other household configurations; second, individuals matched to permanent housing through DC’s Continuum of Care who are working through the lease-up process; and third, people experiencing chronic homelessness who have lived in unsheltered or low barrier shelter settings.
“The Aston’s gender inclusivity and non-congregate setting are major differentiators,” Laura Green Zeilinger, director of D.C.’s Department of Human Services. “They provide couples and adult families the ability to stay together as well as a setting conducive to achieving greater stability in their lives.”
The first residents of The Aston moved in just over a week ago on Friday, Nov. 15. For now, it’s only housing 50 people, but eventually, it expects to house about 100 people.
To be considered for a spot in the shelter, prospective residents must go through D.C.’s Coordinated Assessment and Housing Placement system.
Individualized case management, and other support services, will be provided by Friendship Place. The organization will work with clients at The Aston on housing plans and provide resources to effectively execute those plans. Friendship Place was chosen by the Department of Human Services and the community partnership for the prevention of homelessness.
“The Aston is a reflection of our mission to deliver compassionate, comprehensive services to people experiencing homelessness,” said Jean-Michel Giraud, president and CEO of Friendship Place. “Here, our participants will find both support and respect as they transition to a place they can truly call ‘home.’”
D.C. bought The Aston from George Washington University in August 2023 for $27.5 million. Since then, the city renovated it and made plumbing, mechanical, elevator and HVAC systems upgrades, the mayor’s office said. The Department of General Services, which worked on the renovations, also improved life and safety systems in the building for its new occupancy.
“The transformation of our shelters is representative of a much bigger transformation of our entire homeless services system,” Bowser said. “We have reformed our systems so that we can meet people where they are and more effectively get people into permanent housing. And that is what we are doing again here at The Aston.”
