Coalition’s History
2021 marked the 40th Anniversary of the Coalition for the Homeless.
History of the Coalition for the Homeless
1979
- The Coalition was conceived by the Interfaith Conference through its Hunger Task Force.
1981
- Incorporated as a 501 © (3) non-profit organization. The initial board of directors was the late Reverend Clark Lobenstine, John Hannay, Mary Sears, and Elizabeth Farrell
- First offices were at 1419 V Street
1984
- Became a direct service provider to the homeless and operated 600 bed shelter in S.E. D.C.
1987
- Developed and implemented smaller transitional houses: Park Road, Webster and Davison
1989
- Assumed management of Blair, Peirce, and La Casa emergency shelters for men.
- Incorporated “Continuum of Care” model designed to assist homeless individuals and families by providing shelter, transitional and permanent housing with supportive social services.
1990
- Spring Road Family Apartments was opened to serve 28 families.
1991
- Opened its first Single Room Occupancy (SRO) at 2822 Sherman Avenue, NW
- Moved headquarters to 1234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW from 2822 and 2824 Sherman Avenue NW
- Pierce Shelter closed
1992
- Renovated and reopened Park Road and Davison House
- La Casa Transitional Rehabilitation Program (TRP) opens
1995
- Assumed management of the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center
- Former President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton visited the Blair Shelter and helped serve Thanksgiving dinner
1996
- Began a special partnership with Temple Sinai Assistant Rehabilitation Program and managed the Sinai House.
1997
- Blair Shelter was converted to a Transitional Rehabilitation Program (TRP)
1998
- D.C. Works Employment Project was launched when the Coalition was awarded 1.9 million dollars for a two year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide work first activities to TANF (Temporary Assistance for Need Families) and homeless families
1999
- The Board of Directors revised the mission of the Coalition to include individuals and families who are vulnerable and at-risk of becoming homeless.
- Anacostia Road Apartments began to provide permanent rental housing for low income and formerly homeless individual and families.
2000
- Assumed management of the D.C. Village Shelter. With the addition of D.C. Village, Coalition program sites grew from 12 to 13
2001
- Valley Place Transitional program site opened
2003
- The Coalition collaborated with the 14th & U Street Initiative and UDC’s Agricultural Experience Station to establish the Beautification & Maintenance program known as the Green Team.
2004
- The Coalition participated in the development of Mayor Anthony Williams’ 10-year plan to end homelessness in the District called “Homeless No More.”
2005-2006
- The Coalition was selected as one of the beneficiaries of Freddie Mac’s Hoops for the Homeless.
2006
- Emery House was converted from a 150 bed men’s shelter into the first large-scale transitional program for employed men.
2007
- D.C. Village Family Shelter closed.
- The Coalition held its first mini-walk at M.V. Leckie Elementary School as part of the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon.
2009
- Michael Ferrell, Executive Director was honored for 20 years of service to the Coalition
- First Annual Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair was held.
- During the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness’ 20th anniversary celebration, the Coalition received an award in recognition of excellence for the use of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for data collecting and reporting. The HMIS is used by most homeless service providers to track client usage of services and other demographic information within the District’s homeless continuum
2010
- La Casa Transitional Rehabilitation Program moved to 1131 Spring Road, NW
- La Casa Emergency Shelter closed October 14th for redevelopment of a new facility under the D.C. Government.
2011
- Celebrated 30th Anniversary at Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
2012
- November 12, Virginia Williams Family Resource Center moved to a temporary location at 33 N. Street NW. Washington, DC
2013
- The Coalition updated its vision statement in March during its 5 year Strategic Plan Board of Directors meeting. The changed vision statement is: Rebuilding lives through the
- elimination of homelessness.
- Frederic Davison House closed on August 16th
- First Stepping out for the Homeless dance held Friday, October 25th at St. Francis Hall Washington, DC.
2014
- 2nd Annual Stepping out for the Homeless Dance
2015
- 7th Annual Job Fair 4, September 24, 2015
- 3rd Annul Stepping out for the Homeless Dance on Friday, November 6, 2015
2016
- Acquired 400 50th Street SE to replace the Spring Road Family Apartments.
- Combined 35th Anniversary and 4th Annual Stepping out for the Homeless Dance on Friday, October 14th at Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
- October 1st. The D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) resumed the day-to-day management of the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (VWFRC) which had been previously done by the Coalition.
- October 8th. the Spring Road Family Apartments program located at 1433/1435 Spring Road, NW closed. The Spring Road families were transferred to the Coalition’s recently acquired property located at 400 50th Street, SE.
2017
- Coalition for the Homeless (CFH), was awarded a $27,000 grant from the Junior League of Washington (JLW) to improve the literacy levels for the youth served at the Coalition’s family program.
- 9th Annual Job Fair, held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at the ARC Boys and Girls Club in Washington, D.C.
- The Job Fair has been renamed the Linda Fields Job Training and Educational Opportunity Fair in honor of Linda’s Fields commitment and leadership over the last 9 years. Linda Fields passed away on July 19, 2017. She was Director of Employment and Training for 26 years. Linda along with Doris Washington, former Chairperson of the Board of Directors, initiated the Coalition’s first job fair in 2009, which resulted in increased participation each year.
- 5th Annual Stepping out for the Homeless Fundraising Dance. Held Friday, October 27, 2017 at the St. Francis Hall in Washington, DC.
2018
- 10th Annual Linda Fields Job Training and Educational Opportunity Fair, held on Thursday, September 21, 2018 at the ARC Boys and Girls Club in Washington
- 6th Annual Stepping out for the Homeless Masquerade Dance held Friday, October 26, 2018 at the St. Francis Hall in Washington, DC.
2019
- Donor & Community Networking Event held February 21, 2019 at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery, Washington, DC.
- 11th Annual Linda Fields Job Training and Educational Opportunity Fair. Held on September 19, 2019 at the ARC Boyes and Girls Club in Washington, DC.
- Due to space limitations at St. Francis Hall in Washington DC, the 7th Annual Stepping out for the Homeless Dance was moved to the National Press Club on Friday, October 25, 2019.
- Presented by Board Members at 7th Annual Stepping Out for the Homeless, Michael L. Ferrell receives recognition for 30 Years of Service
- December 31, 2019. – Mickey Leland Hose located at 457 Florida Avenue; NW closed December 31st after 19 years of providing supportive services.
2020
- 8th Annual Stepping Out for the Homeless Dance format was changed and pivoted to virtual online event due to COVID-19 restrictions. The event was held July 16, 2020.
- 11th Annual Linda Fields Job Training and Educational Opportunity Fair was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
2021
- Coalition for the Homeless Turns 40 Years old!