Housing and Homelessness Resources
Below is a compilation of organizations that may be able to help with your legal matter related to housing and homelessness. Please note, Children’s Law Center does not endorse any of these agencies, and we cannot guarantee that they will be able to accept your case.
To Find a Lawyer for DC Tenant Issues
Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network (LTLAN):
Evictions, threats of evictions, utility shut–offs, lockouts, housing condition issues
- Call (202) 780-2575 or Online Intake
- In-person at DC Superior Court Room 223 on the second floor of DC Superior Court Building B, at 510 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20001. Please note that lawyers are not there every day. Please call LTLAN number to ask about in-person days if possible.
Landlord Tenant Resource Center
- In person Assistance: The LTRC is located in Room 223 on the second floor of the D.C. Superior Courthouse, Building B, 510 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20001. The LTRC also refers eligible tenants for legal advice and representation.
- More information about the LTRC can be found on this flyer.
- Hours of Operation for the Landlord and Tenant Resource Center
Tuesdays: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
To Find a Lawyer for Homelessness Issues
Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless:
Legal services to people at risk of or experiencing homelessness on issues involving discrimination based on homeless or housing status, street rights (including encampments and police misconduct), emergency shelters, housing vouchers, rapid re-housing, other affordable housing programs, eviction record sealing, criminal record sealing, denials of rental housing applications, public benefits, identification documents, other civil legal issues
- Call (202) 328- 5500
Other Resources
Office of the Attorney General Consumer Mediation Program:
Mediates consumer and tenant complaints when the consumer is a DC resident, or when the business or landlord is located or headquartered in the District of Columbia.
*Note they will not provide an attorney, but may reach out to the landlord outside of the court
- Call (202) 442-9828 or Submit a Complaint
Office of the Tenant Advocate:
DC Agency that provides information and advice about landlord disputes and other housing issues.
- Call (202) 719- 6560.
Office of the People’s Counsel
OPC assists DC residents with consumer complaints about utilities (water, electric, gas, phone) A consumer complaint can be the result of a billing dispute, difficulty in getting service or repairs completed to your satisfaction, poor quality of service, or other utility related issues.
- Call (202) 727 – 3071 or File a Complaint
Housing & Tenant
- Online Intake: https://www.risingforjustice.org/get-help/intake.html.
- Apply by telephone at Tenant Justice Program phone line: (202) 568-8982
- Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Neighborhood Legal Services Program
Housing
- Apply online at Intake
- Apply by Telephone: (202) 832- 6577
- Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Housing Conditions: Seeking Repairs
Department of Buildings (“DOB”):
Government agency that can conduct housing code inspections
- Call (202) 671- 3500 or Get An Inspection | dob
Department of Energy and Environment (“DOEE”):
Mold Information for Tenants:
Housing Conditions Calendar at DC Superior Court:
Tenants can sue landlords to fix housing code violations. Does not handle evictions or any money issues. You can file your own case with:
- Housing Code – Housing Code Complaint Filing Instruction Sheet
- Housing Conditions Summons
- Fee Waiver (to ask to file without any costs)
- Instruction Sheet for Service
- Temporary Restraining Order forms (if you have an emergency housing conditions issue)
Utility Support
DC Energy Assistance
LIHEAP Assistance | doee (closes as it runs out of money)
*Please Note that LIHEAP assistance is limited by available funding and may close when funds run out. Applying early when open is recommended.*
Department of Energy and Environment (“DOEE”) Utility Discount Program (UDP):
Assists income-eligible District households with heating and cooling energy costs
PEPCO Assistance Programs (DC):
Pepco offers programs including energy assistance, help for customers with special needs, and ways for neighbors to help neighbors.
- Financial assistance of up to $500 may be available to eligible households to help with utility and rental expenses.
- Apply online now
- For Residents of Ward 1,2,3,4,5, and 6: Call (202)332-5000 Ext. 0
- For Residents of Ward 7 and 8: Call (202) 678-9770 Ext. 4
- Assists only with residential natural gas utility accounts
DC Water Financial Assistance
- Customer Assistance Programs
- SPLASH Program: one-time emergency assistance
- Call the Greater Washington Urban League Mon-Fri 9am-5pm: 202-265-8200