Do you want to live on your own? Are you dreaming about living independently in D.C.? You may think it is impossible because the cost of housing is more than you can currently afford. Maybe it has been difficult finding accessible housing.  

Do not give up! The D.C. Department on Disability Services (DDS) developed this Guide to help persons with disabilities to plan, prepare and empower them with resources and community support. 

D.C. has programs and services to assist you with fulfilling your dream of living on your own. The Guide highlights these programs and services. It also provides step-by-step guidance to ensure that persons with disabilities are ready, willing, and able to benefit from housing opportunities in D.C.  

The first and major step in achieving your housing goals is to have a plan. DDS has a person-centered plan for you called the Housing Action Plan (HAP). This plan is your starting point to determine your housing needs vs. (versus) wants and what is required to fulfill your dream of independent living. 

You can find additional information about Housing Action Plans in Step 4, the Prepare section or attend a housing workshop at DDS’s “Let’s Talk About Housing Series.” All workshops are free, virtual, and open to the public. You can also invite family, friends, or caregivers to attend. To register for a workshop, see the FYI Corner.

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