Mount Pleasant Fire Information and Services
The District government is continuing to work with the residents affected by the early morning fire on March 13 on Mt. Pleasant Street, NW, to help them find housing and meet other essential needs. The following is an update on those efforts.
Select from the following links for fact sheets and emergency contact information, as well as the fact sheet in Spanish:
Housing
The District Government, working with the American Red Cross, has found short-term housing in a hotel for all of the displaced residents. The hotel will be maintained until the residents are placed in alternative, more permanent housing. Vacant units have been identified.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) will continue to provide information on the permanent housing options.
As a part of the first phase of the housing assessment, DHS has asked Housing Counseling Services (HCS) to assist in completing Housing Assessments for each of the residents affected by the fire. Housing Counseling Services can be reached at (202) 667-7006. DHS will continue to use these assessments to locate suitable housing options to assist residents in need.
Transportation
Metro cards will be available to all affected persons. Hotel residents can obtain Metro cards at the hotel. Those persons that are not staying in the hotel will be able to get Metro cards starting Wednesday at the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative, 1816 12th Street, NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC, 20009. The number is (202) 518-6737.
Food/Clothes/General Support
ServeDC will accept donations from each day through March 27 at the DC General Warehouse, 1900 Massachusetts Avenue SE, Building 6, from 9am - 6pm.
Items needed for donation include:
New undergarments
New clothing (no used clothing can be accepted)
New, unopened toiletries
Furniture and other home furnishings (no used mattresses)
Gift cards
Persons interested in volunteering should contact Shirley Hall at Serve DC. For more information about how you can help, call Serve DC at (202) 727-7925.
Serve DC donation pick-up information for all residents will be available by calling 311 or on the ServeDC website:
www.serve.dc.gov. Dates and times for future donation pick-ups to be determined. .
All Target gift cards will be distributed by the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative. Those persons that are not staying in the hotel will be able to get gift cards at the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative, 1816 12th Street, NW - Suite 201, Washington, DC 20009. The number is (202) 518-6737.
Operations at the Columbia Heights Recreation Center are closed. All displaced residents can come to the hotel to sign up for DC Government Services.
Staff from the Department of Human Services (DHS) will be on site at the hotel. Additionally, staff from the Department of Health (DOH) and counselors from the Department of Mental Health (DMH) will be on call to assist with any needs residents may have. Tenants should use the DMH Access Helpline # 1-888-7we-help (1-888-793-4357) as well if services are needed. The Access Helpline will refer to the appropriate person or persons for services.
Department of Human Services is working with the Red Cross to provide housing placement assistance and support service needs. Persons who need additional information should contact DHS at (202) 671-4200.
Select from the following links for donation order forms for hotel and non-hotel residents, in English and Spanish.
Building and Removing Items From Apartments
The DC Fire and EMS Department (FEMS) has transferred control of the property to the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). Both the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and DCRA will continue monitor the property to ensure that it remains safe and secure.
DCRA has maintained communications with the building owners and will continue to provide progress reports during the rebuilding process. DCRA is providing a special team of inspectors to expedite the permit and construction process and will work closely with the owners and their contractors until construction is complete.
Identification
Persons who need assistance in replacing documentation issued by embassies or consular offices should contact George Escobar at the Office of Latino Affairs (OLA) at (202) 671-2825.
