District of Columbia Department of Mental Health
HELPING HANDS FOR MY NEW HOME
This page serves as a repository for information and materials created for use during the DC Department of Mental Health's Helping Hands for My New Home pilot program.
About DMH
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Department of Mental Health is to develop, support and oversee a comprehensive, community-based, consumer driven, culturally competent, quality mental health system that is responsive and accessible to children/youth, adults and their families; that leverages continuous positive change through its ability to learn and to partner; and that ensures that all providers supported through this system implement services that are accountable to consumers and include active recovery models.
DMH Housing Programs
The DMH provides $3.5 million in local resources to fund two (2) “bridge” or temporary housing subsidy programs that provide rental assistance to over 650 individuals with serious mental illness.
About CMS
CMS Vision
In serving beneficiaries, we will open our programs to full partnership with the entire health community to improve quality and efficiency in an evolving health care system.
Helping Hands for My New Home Pilot Program Objectives
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Expand health care choices and further strengthen programs and services to adapt to beneficiary needs.
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Improve quality of care and health outcomes for the beneficiaries of CMS programs.
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Improve access to services for underserved and vulnerable beneficiary populations, including eliminating health disparities.
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Protect beneficiaries from substandard or unnecessary care.
Real Choice Systems Change Grant
This project is funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through a grant led by The District of Columbia Department of Mental Health (DMH). This is a Pilot program that will focus on how to provide housing while improving access and coordination to long-term supportive services. The program will focus on the following goals:
- Provide housing for dually diagnosed adults (mental illness and mental retardation and/or developmental disability);
- Link “aging out” foster youth with emotionally based disturbances to independent living arrangements with the right supports;
- Assist individuals transitioning from supervised residential living arrangements into the community;
- Review and recommend elimination of Medicaid barriers that prevent individuals from sharing supportive services;
- Provide essential items (furniture, security deposit, closing cost, etc.) to eligible project participants;
- Establish a means for eligible participants to purchase their own homes;
- Maximum eligible participants in this test program will not exceed twenty (20); and
- Pilot program will expand beyond September 2007.
To accomplish these goals, various government and other agencies will collaborate with DMH to provide the required services to the program participants. These agencies include: Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration (MRDDA), Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), Department of Health/Medical Assistance Administration (MAA), Developmental Disabilities Council, DC Housing Authority (DCHA); DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA), Department of Housing and Community Development, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Eligibility Requirements:
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An adult 18 years of age and older
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A resident of the District of Columbia
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Diagnosed with a mental illness and mental retardation and/or developmental disability
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Foster youth with an emotionally based disturbance, “aging out” of foster care
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Meet 30% Area Median Income eligible guidelines
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Meet criteria to live independently in the community with supportive services
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Receive services from a DMH Core Service Agency (CSA)
Documents Required:
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Government issued identification for all family members 18 years of age and older
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Birth certificates for all family members
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Verification of monthly income
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Valid social security card for all family members
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Recent criminal history clearance for all family members 18 years of age and older
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Credit Report
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Confirmation notice from DC Housing Authority to indicate that they are on the waiting list
Overview of the Pilot's Policies and Procedures
The purpose of transition services is to pay for one-time costs associated with transition to an independent housing unit. Items purchased through transition services belong to and are retained by the individual. Reimbursement for this service is available for up to $5,000 for each individual that matches the program's eligibility requirements and who leaves a nursing facility, hospital, foster care or group home.
Program Transitional services are limited to:
- Maximum of $5,000.00 per transition
- One transition in a three year period
- Essential furniture- Limited to a bed frame, mattress and box spring, dresser and mirror, nightstand, dining table and chairs, sofa, chair, and two lamps. The cost of essential furniture may not exceed $2,000.00 (of the $5,000.00) and has been pre-selected by DMH for this pilot.
- One-time household supplies- Limited to a maximum of $1500.00 (of the $5,000.00) and include dishes, drinking glasses, flatware, pots and pans, sheets, towels and cleaning supplies.
- Utility deposit payment- Limited to a maximum of $250.00 (of the $5,000.00) and may include deposits for utilities such as telephone, gas, electric, water and sewer.
- Security deposit for the apartment- Limited to a maximum of $1250.00 (of the $5,000.00)
Transition services do not include food or recreational items such as cable TV access, VCRs/DVD players.
Transition Services Budget
The budget for transition services is limited to $5,000 per individual for one transition during a three year period. The budget will increase to $6,000 for an individual with a dependent. In addition, services are limited to one time household supplies, furniture, security and utility deposits.
Each service area has a maximum financial cap. Services may not exceed this cap, however they may be less.
The project manager will assist the case manager and individual in identifying the services needed, determining a budget that fits the requirements, as well as assisting with registering for the items required or best suited for their budget.
Services |
Maximum Allocated Budget for Single Individual |
Maximum Allocated Budget for an Individual with a Dependent |
One Time Household Supplies |
$1,500 |
$2,000 |
Furniture |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
Utility Deposits |
$250 |
$250 |
Security Deposit |
$1250 |
$1250 |
Total Budget per Individual |
$5,000 |
$6,000 |
How Do I Become Involved in the Pilot?
In order to become enrolled in the pilot program, an individual must have their case manager contact the Department of Mental Health’s Helping Hands for My New Home grant project manager.
To download a copy of the Participant Housing Plan 
Toll Free 24 Hour Access Help Line
1-888-793-4357 or 1-888-7WE-HELP
TDD Help Line 202-673-7440
D.C. Department of Mental Health
202-671-3153
Weekdays 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
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