For more than 35 years, Community Connections has helped individuals and families find and keep safe, stable, and affordable housing — a critical part of whole-person recovery. We are deeply involved in the District’s strategy to end homelessness and are proud to be an early leader in Coordinated Assessment and Housing Placement. Our housing work is grounded in the “housing first” model, believing that recovery begins with a stable place to call home. We offer a wide range of housing programs designed to meet the unique needs of people living with serious mental illness, addiction, trauma, and other challenges.
 
Here’s how we help:

Recovery Community Homes

Community Connections operates community-based residential rehabilitation homes that serve individuals with serious mental illness who require a supportive living environment to maintain stability and recovery. Services focus on skill development, medication support, health and wellness, social connectedness, community integration, and transition planning. The program helps reduce hospitalizations, homelessness, and crisis service utilization while promoting long-term recovery and housing stability.

Supported Independent Living (SIL)

Our Supported Independent Living (SIL) program helps individuals live in their own apartments while still receiving regular support from an integrated team of housing specialists and Behavioral Health Professionals. Consumers in SIL maintain their independence while benefiting from services like medication monitoring, skills coaching, crisis prevention, and connection to community resources. This program is designed for those ready to live independently but who still need structured support to remain stable housing and overall well-being.

Housing Support Care Management (Crisis Housing Support)

Housing instability can quickly turn into a crisis — especially for individuals dealing with behavioral health challenges. Our Housing Care Management team provides rapid-response support to prevent homelessness, evictions, and promoting safety and stabilization. This team works closely with consumers experiencing housing emergencies, helping them secure safe temporary or permanent housing, resolve landlord conflicts, navigate benefits, and connect with services that can keep them housed long term.

Affordable Housing Programs and Development

Community Connections is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved housing authority lookalike and administers housing subsidies funded by federal and local rental assistance programs. These subsidies support individuals with low incomes, serious mental illness, and complex life experiences including homelessness, trauma, addiction, and chronic health conditions. We manage supportive housing programs that combine rental assistance with housing counseling and supportive services to promote long-term housing stability. We also work closely with development partners and city agencies to preserve and expand affordable housing through the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development creating new units for those most in need.

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

Permanent Supportive Housing is an evidence-based intervention that combines permanent affordable housing with intensive, person-centered supportive services. The program serves individuals with histories of chronic homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and other disabling conditions. Through housing stabilization, care coordination, benefits navigation, and recovery support, the program reduces homelessness, emergency department utilization, hospitalizations, and involvement with crisis systems while improving quality of life and health outcomes.

Community Connections’ Permanent Supportive Housing program serves as a critical component of our continuum of care, providing the stable housing foundation necessary for individuals to benefit from behavioral health treatment, substance use recovery services, community support, and other rehabilitative services. Together, these programs help individuals move from homelessness and crisis toward stability, wellness, and long term recovery.

Property Ownership

Community Connections owns and manages 50 residential properties in D.C. These include apartments, single-family homes, and shared group houses — all designed to provide long-term, affordable housing for people with special needs.

Homeless Services & Street Outreach

Our Homeless Services Program reaches women, men, and youth living on the street, in shelters, or in transitional housing. We offer housing readiness services that assist individuals in obtaining vital documents, apply for housing, and navigating barriers to permanent housing. We support with accessing Medicaid and use the SAMHSA SOAR model to help consumers access Social Security disability benefits. The goal is to build trust and reduce barriers so consumers can move off the streets and into safe, stable, and supportive homes.

How to Access Housing Services

If you or someone you know needs housing support, Community Connections is here to help. Access to our housing services usually begins with our Admissions Team or a referral from a partner agency.

Here’s how to get started:

• New to Community Connections?
  Contact our Admissions team to schedule an intake appointment. Our team will assess your needs and connect you with the right services, including housing support if eligible.
• Already a client?
  Talk to your case manager, therapist, or housing specialist about your current housing situation. They can help you explore available options and start the referral process.
• Referral partners or agencies:
  Please contact our Housing Services department directly to coordinate referrals or discuss consumer needs. We work closely with local providers, outreach teams, and city agencies.

Housing programs are based on eligibility and availability. We prioritize individuals and families with behavioral health needs who are experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or are at risk of losing housing.

For more information, contact us.