Daffodil House serves residents living with HIV/AIDS and other disabilities, including mental illness.  At least half of Daffodil House residents will have been homeless prior to moving into their new homes.  Nearly all residents are extremely low income, which is defined as 30% of the median household income in an area.  Because of this combination of factors, case management plays a critical role in helping residents stabilize their lives, connecting them to medical care, mental health services, and a broad range of other support services.  Our case managers also monitor the progress of the residents they serve, ensuring that residents maintain their medical regimens and contact with other providers.

“This grant will help Building Futures establish case management services at Daffodil House,” said Maritza Perez-Falero, Ph.D., clinical supervisor.  “From this foundation, we can begin to build a holistic system of services that meet the unique needs of each resident.  We appreciate M·A·C AIDS Fund’s financial support and recognition of the value of our permanent supportive housing approach.”

Grant awards ranged from $10,000 to $100,000 and were given to non-profits looking to preserve and improve affordable housing units through upgrades to property conditions, increased energy efficiency, and cost savings realized through newer heating, cooling, insulation, window replacement, roof replacement and other renovations.

The grant award recognizes the significant cost saving measures planned for Daffodil House, including the following:

• New through-the-wall Energy Star heat pumps and refrigerators
• Compact fluorescent and LED lighting
• Dual-force toilets and other water-saving fixtures/faucets
• Increased exterior wall insulation and new window seals, as required
• Highly reflective and insulated roof to reduce heat gain/loss
• Solar photovoltaic panels to generate electricity for common areas

“The generous $35,000 donation from TD Bank represents a significant contribution to completing construction and securing permanent financing at Daffodil House,” said Steve Seuser, Executive Director.  “We appreciate the recognition this grant provides for our efforts to increase the energy efficiency of an older, inefficient building. The building’s location in a neighborhood that serves most needs of our residents provides an additional opportunity to dramatically reduce residents’ energy use for transportation. Most residents can walk to stores, doctors’ appointments, and other services, and the bus and subway system are only a block from the building.”

A complete list of recipients of the 2010 “Housing for Everyone” grantees is available online.

Students learn construction skills while creating affordable housing.

Students from the YouthBuild Public Charter School (PCS) will build construction skills and gain valuable experience at Daffodil House under a newly signed agreement.  Three teams of 12 students will alternate construction shifts at Daffodil House under the direction of a skilled construction trainer with more traditional classroom education at their school. Funding comes from the innovative YouthBuild program of the U.S. Department of Labor.  YouthBuild PCS is located in Washington, DC’s Columbia Heights neighborhood two blocks from Daffodil House.

“This is an interesting partnership because we can offer the opportunity for students in a local school to build construction skills, while they rehab the six apartments on the top floor of Daffodil House,” said Steve Seuser, Executive Director.  “This partnership helps us significantly reduce the construction costs for the project, so YouthBuild PCS and their students are making very important contributions.”

YouthBuild PCS serves young people ages 16-24 who have dropped out of traditional high schools.  At YouthBuild, students transform their communities by building housing for homeless or low-income families as they learn the construction trade, and they transform themselves as they prepare to earn their GED.  YouthBuild PCS opened in 2005 as an outgrowth of an effective program begun in 1995 by the Latin American Youth Center in the Columbia Heights neighborhood.

At YouthBuild PCS, most students enter the school with limited reading skills, and about a third speak limited English.  The goal is for students to complete their high school education by attaining a GED and develop marketable skills in construction and general life skills that will prepare them to find and keep jobs.  Staff provide personalized support – mentoring, counseling, child care and housing assistance, and other services as needed.  By building or renovating housing for low-income residents, students gain a sense of satisfaction that they are making meaningful contributions to their community.  For their efforts, students earn a stipend to help meet family commitments and defray transportation costs.

Students leave YouthBuild PCS with significant successes under their belts.  On average, two out of three graduates increase their reading proficiency two or more grade levels.  Four out of five graduates secure jobs, apprenticeships, or pursue higher education within three months of graduation.

For more information about YouthBuild PCS, contact Arthur Dade, Executive Director, at (202) 319-0141.

New solar panels will supply most electricity for hallways, stairwells, and laundry room.

Solar panels installed on Daffodil House’s roof will soon power the lighting in its hallways and stairwells and run its laundry equipment. The new 17 Kw system will maximize available space on the roof of the building. It will be installed in fall 2010 by Bethesda, MD-based installer Solar Solution, LLC.

“The solar photovoltaic system will help Daffodil House achieve important goals.  First, it significantly reduces the cost of electricity to the project.  As lighting and other technology evolves, this system will power all common areas in the building,” stated Steve Seuser, Executive Director. ” Second, we’re decreasing the environmental impact of Daffodil House.  The solar system replaces electricity generated by coal-fired electric plants that serve D.C., which dump carbon and other toxins in the atmosphere.”

Funding for the solar system comes from the D.C. Department of Environment’s Renewable Energy Incentive Program, federal Solar Renewable Energy Credits, and federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credits.

Daffodil House will purchase electricity generated by the system at discounted rates for seven years.  After that, it will own the system and generate its own electricity at no cost, saving the project thousands of dollars per year in utility costs.

Help the Homeless activities raise awareness about homelessness in Washington, DC and help residents understand the importance of supporting efforts to prevent people from becoming homeless, provide housing for people who are homeless now, and provide supportive services to support homeless persons.

Building Futures is partnering again this year with Ideal Academy Public Charter School in northwest Washington, DC, which provides quality education to students from preschool through high school.  At least two Mini-Walks are scheduled for students at Ideal Academy, with October 21 tentatively set as date for the first Mini-Walk.  The Mini-Walk educates students about solutions to homelessness and teaches them the value of giving back to their community from an early age.  At the same time, students participating in the Mini-Walk generate Help the Homeless donations to support Building Futures programs.

Building Futures is making Help the Homeless activities its top priority for fall fundraising.  Funds raised during this event will directly support Daffodil House, our newest property with 30 units.  At least half of the new residents of Daffodil House will be homeless individuals moving in newly renovated apartments directly from shelters, transitional housing, or other temporary situations.  Daffodil House will provide permanent homes they never need to leave, plus supportive services to help them rebuild their lives.

Please join us for the Help the Homeless walk on Saturday, November 20 down on the National Mall by registering today!

• The William S. Abell Foundation provided $100,000 and ongoing technical assistance supporting the permanent financing of the property.  The grant will cover accessibility modifications to the front entrance and first floor apartments, offices, and common areas that will enable persons using wheelchairs to make full use of these areas.
• The District of Columbia’s Neighborhood Investment Fund provided $224,425 to cover predevelopment costs.  The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development coordinates this grant.
• The Enterprise Foundation’s Green Communities program provided $10,000 for green improvements at Daffodil House, to increase energy efficiency, reduce environmental impacts of development, and incorporate sustainable materials.

“These grants demonstrate broad community support for Daffodil House,” stated Steve Seuser, executive director.  “We’re especially grateful for this important financial support during difficult economic times.  It shows our funders understand that extremely low-income people living with HIV/AIDS are at even greater risk now.  Each of these grants funds an important aspect of development at Daffodil House.”

Businesses, individuals, foundations, and other organizations are invited to join us in the important work of developing Daffodil House.

“At least 70 homeless individuals living with HIV/AIDS are lined up to move out of shelters and into completed units at Daffodil House,” noted property manager Maritza Perez-Falero.  We’re working diligently to finish apartments, and we could especially use skilled or semi-skilled volunteers to help us with construction.  We’re also seeking contributions to cover construction materials and labor.  If you think you’d like to help, please contact us.  Over 200 people have volunteered so far.  Or can you join us on Saturday, Nov. 21 for Fannie Mae’s Help the Homeless walk as a walker or sponsor?”

Contact us to find out more about supporting Daffodil House.

On June 5, this enthusiastic crew from Fannie Mae's Investor Channel volunteered an entire day clearing out apartments and painting.

This year on July 3, the official Independence Day holiday for many people, you can help make independence more of a reality for 30 individuals or small families living with HIV/AIDS in Washington, DC. Could you spend part of your day at Daffodil House as a volunteer cleaning out or painting vacant apartments to get them ready for new residents? Half of our new residents will be homeless, so they’re eager to make a fresh start by living more independently in their new homes.

Two shifts of up to 25 volunteers each will work on July 3:

• Morning from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Afternoon from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Or if you’re feeling energetic, spend the day with us!  There’s plenty to do, including:

• Painting the walls and ceilings of vacant and already cleaned out efficiency apartments
• Painting handrails in stairwells
• Painting ceilings in stairwells
• Removing carpets, pads, tack strips, bathroom ceramic tile floors
• Removing kitchen cabinets from walls for possible reuse or disposal
• Removing bathroom sinks/vanities and toilets for possible reuse
• Removing plywood subfloors from kitchens
• Removing closet shelves and rods from closets (so we can install closet organizers)
• Removing tub/shower enclosures and disposing of them
• Removing all debris from units and thoroughly cleaning up so our staff can install new floors, fix kitchens and bathrooms, install closet organizers, and make other repairs

You can probably tell from the list that there’s everything from heavy lifting to lighter work.  If you’d like to join us, wear old clothes that protect you while you’re working.  We have gloves and most tools, although more basic tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, and prybars are always welcome.

Please RSVP for the event by emailing Steve Seuser or calling him at (202) 639-0361, x302.  Please include your name, email address/phone number, and whether you’d like to volunteer in the morning, afternoon, or the entire day.  Families and groups are welcome.

Daffodil House is located close to the Columbia Heights metro on the green line.  Complete directions will be provided to volunteers who RSVP.

Large windows bring lots of light into Daffodil House apartments.

Daffodil House crossed a major milestone in June 2010.  Half of the 30 apartments at Daffodil House are complete.  Seven residents have moved into their new homes, and another eight units are available for new residents.  Building Futures is working with organizations serving persons living with HIV/AIDS to identify new prospective residents.  Residents must have a housing voucher of some type to move in.

New apartments at Daffodil House feature new bamboo floors, an all-white ceramic tile bathroom, and closet organizers in its closets.  The D.C. Department of the Environment is donating Energy Star refrigerators and HVAC units, plus new water heaters for each apartment, which will help new residents reduce their energy costs.

Daffodil House's all-electric kitchens include Energy Star refrigerators provided by the DC Department of the Environment.

Daffodil House plans to move forward with construction on additional apartments upon receipt of new funds from the D.C. Department of Mental Health/D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development.  A grant of $450,000 is expected to close in July 2010.

For more information about the efficiency apartments at Daffodil House, contact Maritza Perez-Falero at (202) 639-0361, x303.

Volunteers from organizations including Fannie Mae (ERG and HIV/AIDS Committees), Greater DC Cares through its annual Servathon, and Yachad DC (with Congregation Beth-El in Bethesda) have recently removed old carpeting and ceramic tile floors, removed damaged drywall, hauled out old appliances, and painted hallways and stairwells.

These efforts have allowed Building Futures to finish units and begin showing them to new residents. The first new resident is close to moving in. Already, a waiting list of potential residents is growing, and new units are being finished to provide homes for them.  Since half of new residents are homeless before moving in, finishing units quickly is a high priority.

“We’ve received so much support from our community volunteers, it’s been amazing,” said Executive Director Steve Seuser. “When we started out, we had no idea so many groups would come out of the woodwork to help out.”

“We’re putting out a call for financial contributions, in-kind donations, and particularly semi-skilled or skilled volunteers to help us with finish painting, laying bamboo floors, installing ceramic tile in bathrooms, and other electrical and plumbing work. We hope people understand how important stable housing is to our residents, and how important private support is to make Daffodil House a reality during these difficult economic times.”

Read more online about how to get involved, call us at (202) 639-0361, or email us to assist in these efforts.

Our latest acquisition is located in the heart of the Columbia Heights commercial district one block from Metro. Following rehab, it will provide housing for extremely low-income residents with HIV/AIDS and other disabilities, including mental illness and in recovery from substance abuse.

On Nov. 21, Building Futures’ affiliate Daffodil House purchased a 32-unit residential property in Columbia Heights. After rehab, the property will provide homes for 31 households living with HIV/AIDS and other disabilities, including mental illness and substance abuse.

“We’re really excited about expanding the stock of housing affordable to extremely low-income persons with disabilities,” stated Maritza Falero, property manager. “To purchase a building in such a prime location just a block from the Columbia Heights Metro station and on the same block as the DCUSA project with the Target and Best Buy is almost unbelievable. This will be housing everyone wants and deserves.”

Initial acquisition funding for the property came through the District of Columbia’s Housing Production Trust Fund. The Department of Housing and Community Development‘s Site Acquisition Funding Initiative enabled Daffodil House to purchase the property through two local lenders, City First Bank of DC and Cornerstone, Inc. Cornerstone also provided a forgivable grant of $80,000 to allow the project to proceed.

Permanent sources of financing are currently being identified, with construction scheduled to begin in late 2009. Major construction items include a new roof, a new elevator, modifications to the front entrance and first floor hallway to allow wheelchair access, significant energy conservation upgrades, updating of kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and other unit repairs.

Once completed, the building’s 32 efficiencies will provide homes for 31 individuals or small households. Building Futures will provide onsite property management, case management, and supportive services and a function room in the remaining unit.

For more information, contact Steve Seuser, executive director.