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Dee Curry, 59, once faced chronic homelessness, unable to manage her substance abuse and mental illness. Under the housing first model, with assistance from Pathways to Housing, D.C., Dee has transitioned off the streets into her own home and is actively seeking employment. ‘Housing first’ provides the most vulnerable, chronically homeless with housing before adding permanent supportive services to address mental and physical health, substance abuse, employment, education and family reunification so that people can get back on their feet.

Dee

For years Dee Curry, 59, thrived in her job as a community outreach specialist. "I never intended to become homeless. My job meant everything to me. But, being empowered as a transgender woman, I encountered a lot fo adversity and suffered burnout. That burnout led to substance abuse, incarceration, then homelessness. Under the housing first model, with assistance from Pathways to Housing, D.C., Dee has transitioned off the streets into her own home and is actively seeking employment.