Theory of Change
SOCIAL JUSTICE HOUSING
Mary’s House provides supportive independent, communal housing environments for older adults to eliminate the intense isolation experienced due to aging, subtle and not-so-subtle discrimination and intolerance based on one's sexual/gender identity or orientation.
The 1990s have seen an explosion of alternative facilities providing housing and services for older people. Until then, alternatives were primarily composed of care facilities-nursing homes and intermediate care facilities-subsidized apartments, and a few apartment buildings. Beginning in the late 1990s, health care providers began to experience a new level of demand in the form of healthier seniors wanting housing that was more compatible with their needs.
Communal housing opens up new alternatives for LGBTQ/SGL elders to take control of their lives to live as independently as possible, as long as possible eliminating social isolation. Communal housing sets older adults up for success and helps them achieve their full potential in the last 20-30 years of life. LGBTQ/SGL Communal housing living arrangements support individual’s well-being physically, socially, and emotionally, and offers aging adults a way to live among people with whom they share a common bond of age and experience—an entirely new way to house themselves with dignity, independence, safety, mutual concern, and fun.
Anacostia Road House
Facilities
-
15 suites with private bathrooms
-
Communal kitchen and family room
-
Hydrotherapy pool
-
Green Roof-Top Garden with walk-track
-
Exercise & Yoga room
-
Library and computer room
-
Laundry facilities
General Requirements
-
Accept all people, no matter their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and/or religion
-
Must be 60 years old or more
-
Be willing to live in an alcohol and drug-free environment
-
Accept and live by the regulations and guidelines for community living
-
Be able to function in an independent living situation
-
Be willing to share and maintain common areas such as kitchen, and lounge
-
Be free from the physical care and/or responsibility of children
-
Have no recent history of violent or disruptive behavior
-
Maintain a stable source of monthly income
Our residential home (DC's first affordable communal living space for 60+ LGBTQ/SGL individuals!
Our three-story structure with a basement includes 15 individual residential units for single occupancy, 5,000 square feet of shared communal space, common areas with storage spaces, a reception area with seating, and administrative offices.
Internship opportunities for students to learn about and contribute to the vision and mission of Mary's House
Internship opportunities for students to learn about and contribute to the vision and mission of Mary's House
Internship opportunities for students to learn about and contribute to the vision and mission of Mary's House