FareShare | Combating Homelessness One Ride At A Time

Since 1997, Ignatia House in Washington, DC has served homeless veterans through the strategic placement of Americorps members. Members have served throughout the continuum of care in Washington, DC metropolitan area, Baltimore, Maryland and Martinsburg, West Virginia. Although this is a large geographic area, it reflects the way homeless veterans receive services in this area. Members serve in VA Medical Centers and with local homeless service providers to link services for homeless veterans in these communities.

In August 2003, DC Metro opened a 24-bed Shelter Plus Care program for formerly homeless veterans in recovery. Veterans at Ignatia are provided with case management, sobriety support, employment and training assistance, career/computer center and a service provider is on site 24/7.

Discussions are ongoing to obtain a permanent site located on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. It will provide long-term housing for several hundred homeless veterans, and in collaboration with the VA and community partners, treatment and employment training.

Since 1997, DC Metro AmeriCorps members have had a significant impact on service delivery to homeless veterans:

• 9,256 - individual homeless veterans received services
• 921 - homeless veterans placed in affordable housing
• 458 - homeless veterans placed in jobs

If you would like to help the work at this location, or if you are a veteran in need of assistance, you can contact us at: