Social Services

The Housing Access Program (HAP) provides general information on housing options for low-income DC residents and ensures that our community is aware of the resources and agencies that can help.

The process to apply for subsidized housing is often confusing and lack of information frequently prevents individuals from accessing available resources. Our main goal is to make the process more efficient by assisting our participants in navigating this maze of applications and requirements.

HAP specifically provides assistance with site-based section 8 housing (subsidized housing). We help participants identify the specific buildings with open waiting lists at which they are eligible to apply, help them complete those applications, and give guidance on the follow-up and communication process with various buildings once those applications are submitted.

Are you in need of assistance with finding affordable housing?

You can start by signing up to attend a Housing Clinic at Bread for the City. During these sessions, participants are given information on the subsidized housing application process as well as a customized list of apartment buildings for which the participant qualifies that are accepting applications to their wait lists. Participants are then given an opportunity to complete housing applications with Bread for the City’s assistance.

We also refer participants to other agencies that can assist in their housing search for room rentals, market-rate units, as well as for credit repair and budgeting assistance.

Housing Access Program sessions are held in our NW location. Registration is required. For more information or to sign up for a Housing Clinic, call 202-265-2400.

The Housing Access Program is open to anyone, though would not be helpful to someone who has a Section 8 voucher.

Bread for the City’s Pre-Employment program (PEP) works closely with unemployed and underemployed clients by providing a continuum of life management and job readiness training services that are individualized, holistic and goal specific.

PEP helps BFC clients develop the skills necessary to secure and retain employment. PEP accomplishes through a four-tiered approach: job readiness workshops, case management, life skills coaching, and job placement.

Job Readiness Workshops

Job Readiness Workshops operate for five week sessions, with classes held twice weekly.  Workshop topics include: resume and cover letter writing, job search strategies, interviewing skills, work ethics, time management, interpersonal and communication skills, and job retention.

Case Management

PEP Case Managers conduct initial assessments for clients new to the program. They lead clients in individualized goal setting and in the development of clients’ individual life skills/work readiness plans. Case Managers provide direct weekly support to clients.  In addition, they provide information and referrals to appropriate programs to help clients achieve goals. Case Managers also meet with prospective employers and job training/placement programs in support of participants’ progress toward successful employment.

Life Skills Coaching

Volunteer mentors, called Life Skills Coaches, work individually with each PEP client via telephone, email, and meetings at BFC’s Southeast Center. They help clients develop the skills they are learning in class and reinforce the support and direction that clients receive from their case managers. Life Skills Coaches edit resumes and cover letters, teach clients how to conduct Internet job searches, conduct mock interviews and more. Most importantly, coaches provide our clients with the sense of support and confidence they need to truly enter the workforce.

Job Placement

Once our PEP clients reach graduation, they enter our workforce development program to put their new skills into action. We help connect graduates with job opportunities, and we even offer paid internships for graduates right here at Bread for the City. Last year, 71% of PEP graduates found work, or entered an educational/job training program.

PEP clients benefit from additional programs at Bread for the City that are critical to helping students meet their basic human needs while they gain the necessary skills to find employment.  In addition to our clothing closet that provides students with appropriate interview apparel, our medical clinic provides free job physicals to enable students to complete job applications.

Department Phone Line: 202.386.7016

Bread for the City provides representative payee services to Washington, DC residents who need assistance in managing their personal financial affairs. The Representative Payee Program (RPP) provides payee services, in collaboration with the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), to consumers with chronic mental illness who are referred by a case manager of DBH or an affiliated Core Service Agency.

The Representative Payee Program helps DBH clients manage various types of income, including Social Security benefits (retirement or disability), Supplemental Security Income, and Civil Service Pensions. A small number of clients who are not affiliated with the DC Department of Behavioral Health may be able to access our payee services by entering into Case Management at Bread for the City. This service is not a part of the RPP.

Forms from our Representative Payee Program may be found in the Social Services Documents.

What is a Representative Payee?

A Representative Payee is an individual or an organization designated to receive disability benefits on a client’s behalf. The Representative Payee then helps the client to budget the money and disburses the funds to pay for current needs, including housing and utilities, food, medical expenses, personal care and clothing. The Representative Payee must keep records of how the client’s money is spent. This information is reported regularly to the Social Security Administration or to the Office of Personnel Management.

How does the Representative Payee Program work?

Clients enrolled in Bread for the City’s Representative Payee Program work with their mental health service providers and Bread for the City staff to make sure that all of their financial needs are met.

The client’s case manager at the DC Department of Behavioral Health or a DBH affiliated Core Service Agency makes an initial referral to Bread for the City for payee services. The client is enrolled at a start-up meeting with the case manager and a Representative Payee Program staff member during which we discuss how the services work.

After enrollment, Bread for the City applies to the Social Security Administration or Office of Personnel Management to become the client’s Representative Payee. The client and his or her mental health case manager meet regularly to set and review the client’s monthly budget and discuss any emergency spending requests. Bread for the City relies on the case manager to be in regular contact with the client and keep Bread for the City informed about changes in the client’s needs that might effect the budget or benefits.

Representative Payee Program Walk-In Hours

Northwest Center
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Friday 8:30am-11am

During open hours, the on-call caseworker is available to meet with consumers and community support workers. These hours are only for consumers already enrolled in our program. To enter into our Representative Payee Program, consumers must be referred by their DBH Case Managers.

Women Empowered is a wellness program for BFC clients that seeks to help them to achieve overall wellness of the mind, body, and spirit.  Participants are assigned a wellness coordinator and included in a supportive environment offering a wealth of workshops and activities.

For additional information, please contact Donnie Hampton, SE Social Services Supervisor, at 202-587-0530.

Diaper Program

Tuesdays and Thursdays

10 am – 12:30 pm

2 pm – 4:30 pm

Southeast Center only

Bread for the City distributes 10,000 diapers per month. In addition, our baby pantry often stocks pull-ups, cereal, bottles, baby wipes, formula, hygiene packets, and other items that support new parents. At this time, diaper sizes 4, 5, and 6 are running low mid-month, and there is a significant need for additional in-kind donation support.

For additional information, contact Shalonda Carr, scarr[at]breadforthecity.org or 202-561-8587 ext.5346.