Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a nationally-recognized model of housing and support designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness where at least one household member has a disability. This program is unique and effective because it pairs a permanent housing subsidy with intensive services so that program participants are supported in maintaining their health and their housing. PSH is considered one of the most important tools in ending homelessness for vulnerable and disabled households.
PSH has the following characteristics:
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Participating tenants are matched with a community based non-profit organization that provides case management for the individual or family, and acts as the point of contact for both the household and the housing provider. This allows for positive communication between all the parties when there are questions or concerns. For more information regarding your point of contact, email Joy Hogue at joy.hogue@dc.gov or LaCresha Morris at lacresha.morris@dc.gov.
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The program has no time limit. Eligible program participants can receive the subsidy and support for as long as they need or want it (as long as they remain eligible). This offers stability to both the program participant and the landlord.
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Participants in PSH select their own housing — which can include single-family homes, townhouses, apartments or shared living situations — so long as that housing meets the District's fair market rent standards and passes a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) by a licensed HQS inspector from the DC Housing Authority (DCHA).
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Each unit must pass an HQS inspection before a household can move in. Download the inspection checklist.
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Participants sign their own lease. Through the lease signing process, program providers make sure that everyone understands their rights and obligations for participation in the program, tenancy, and how rent payments are made.
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Households receive supportive services as part of their participation in the program. Supportive services, including case management, are designed to support program participants in their transition to housing stability. These services work with households to identify barriers to housing stability, identify each households’ needs and strengths, develop individual goals, and connect to other resources they may need in the community (i.e. child care, job training).
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The difference in cost between the actual rent and the tenant portion is paid directly to the landlord by the DCHA or the designated community-based service provider. Program participants pay approximately 30 percent of their income towards rent directly to the landlord.
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Housing providers with tenants participating in PSH are eligible for the Landlord Partnership Fund (LPF). For more information about the Fund, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions for Leasing in Place
with Permanent Supportive Housing
What does "Lease in Place" mean?
When a tenant uses their voucher to Lease In Place, they will remain in the same unit they have been living in, rather than moving into a new unit with the voucher, and a new lease will be signed. The payment of the rental subsidy will change from a Rapid Re-Housing Program to the Targeted Affordable or Permanent Supportive Housing Programs, but all payments are issued by DCHA.
How is Permanent Affordable Housing different from the Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program (also known as Rapid Re-Housing for Families)?
Permanent Supportive Housing is a permanent voucher with supportive services, including case management, for individuals or families who require support in their transition to housing stability. As it is a permanent voucher, tenants will not be subject to the time limits of the Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program/Rapid Re-Housing-Families.
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Will the subsidy portion change?
The amount of subsidy you receive from DCHA will change when the tenant transitions from FRSP/RRH-F to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). Under FRSP/RRH-F, a tenant would pay a portion (30-60 percent) of their income towards rent. Under Targeted Affordable Housing, a tenant pays 30 percent of their income towards rent.
Will how I receive notice that payments have changed?
If you have a direct deposit account set up with DCHA, payments will continue to be issued via direct deposit, you will not need to receive another first paper check. If you do not have direct deposit set up, you will have the opportunity to set up those payments. Currently, the Rental Partnership Initiative (RPI) is only available to housing providers who partner with the Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program/RRH-F and enter into a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) agreement with the Department of Human Services.
Will the unit have to be re-inspected?
Yes. DCHA will need to complete a re-inspection of the unit, however this inspection accounts for the fact that he unit is lived in; and therefore, is less stringent than a new unit inspection. Once paperwork is completed to lease in place, DCHA will contact you in order to schedule an inspection of the unit.
Is there any new paperwork?
DCHA will have some new paperwork for you to sign with the new lease. Most principally, you will need to re-sign the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract, which DCHA uses for all its voucher units, outlining the maintenance responsibilities for both the tenant and the landlord.
When can the tenant move?
The tenant may relocate at the end of their lease, at minimum a year after signing the new lease under the TAH or PSH voucher. If the tenant does not want to move, you may choose to sign a new lease or continue month to month.
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Whom do I contact over any unit issues?
All requests for missing payments, inspections or other concerns go through DCHA and your tenant's case manager. More information on this process should be provided at lease up. Additional questions or concerns may be emailed to Tawana Holland at tawana.holland@dc.gov.
For More Information or Support
For more specific program information, please contact us at newleaseonlife@dc.gov. For a complete list of agencies and service providers, please visit Resources.
For More Information or Support
Contact us
For more information about New Lease on Life and its programs fill out the contact form or email us at newleaseonlife@dc.gov.
Program resources
For a complete list of agencies and service providers, please visit Resources.
Inspection and Leasing Process
Unit Identification
Potential tenant seeks and selects a unit with assistance from program provider. Unit must be in line with DC fair market rent standards.
Lease Up
Once a unit has passed inspection, the lease up is scheduled.