As the largest dedicated safe housing provider for survivors escaping violence in the District, DASH ensures that no survivor has to become homeless as a result of abuse. It offers a continuum of care that includes emergency, transitional, and permanent safe housing alongside wraparound services to help survivors – and their families – regain their safety and economic independence. Its Housing Resource Center serves as a hub of homelessness prevention, where survivors access personalized housing and community resources via a secure hotline or at weekly walk-in clinics. Emergency financial assistance covers expenses like rent and utilities so that survivors can maintain their homes. Through its training programs, community agencies and service providers receive education to improve their response to survivors. A lifeline for thousands of survivors fleeing violence each year, DASH believes that everyone should be allowed to rebuild their lives on their own terms.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 7

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide

Age Groups Served: All

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys; Women/Girls


  • Individuals housed (temporary shelters, transitional housing, permanent housing) annually:   350
  • Number of people (clients, patrons, students, etc) your organization serves annually:   2000

Awards & Recognition

2016 - Award from the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women to launch our national project, the National Alliance for Safe Housing (NASH).

2015 - Honorable Mention Recipient of the 2015 EXCEL Award for Nonprofit Leadership from the Center for Nonprofit Advancement.

2014 - DASH was one of four national awardees to receive the Mary Byron Project Celebrating Solutions Award, which showcases and applauds local innovations that demonstrate promise in breaking the cycle of violence.

2013 - DASH received the "Outstanding Corporate/Nonprofit Partner Serving Women" with The MassMutual Citizenship Award from the Washington Business Journal.

2013 - The Giving Library awarded DASH the production of a video about DASH programs and survivor stories.

2010 - The White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, Lynn Rosenthal called DASH “one of our success stories."

2009 - DASH received the Department of Justice, Justice for Victims of Crime Award.


Press

Budget (FY2023)

  • The current budget for District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH) is: $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

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