In the District of Columbia, homelessness and food insecurity form a difficult intersection, where finding reliable, nutritious meals is a daily challenge. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a crucial resource in reducing food insecurity across communities, but for those without stable housing, SNAP’s impact is limited. According to the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, on any given day in the District, there are 3,960 single persons and 1,656 adults and children in 539 family households who are experiencing homelessness. These include 900 unsheltered persons (i.e., persons “on the street”), 3,308 persons in emergency shelters, and 1,408 persons in transitional housing facilities.i  

Washington, D.C., does not have an equitable distribution of grocery stores that provide consistent affordable access to fresh produce and nutritious foods. Food apartheid, or the systemic disinvestment in marginalized communities in the form of food access, primarily impacts Wards 7 and 8 in the District, specifically the areas east of the Anacostia River. Wards 7 and 8 have the lowest median income in the city, and the highest population density of marginalized groups.ii 

A lack of economic opportunity combined with low income, rising housing costs, lack of reliable transportation, and inconsistent access to nutritional foods, converge to build hurdles to accessing housing and food, which disproportionately affect marginalized communities.iii 

Federal nutrition programs such as the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, SNAP, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Commodity Supplemental Nutrition Program (known as Grocery Plus in the District), and the Senior Farmers Market for Nutrition Program, play a vital role in contributing to a more stable living environment by alleviating the financial pressure of food costs. These programs provide direct assistance for basic food needs, freeing up household income, which can then be allocated toward other essential living costs such as transportation and housing. Reducing the financial burden of food can help prevent eviction and homelessness and provides more resources for those experiencing it. 

Stable housing directly contributes to hunger reduction by providing consistent access to kitchen facilities and supplies, running water, and food storage. This also helps families and individuals better utilize federal nutrition programs and emergency food services by building longer-term food solutions, such as meal planning and budgeting. Reliable, autonomous access to nutritious chosen foods is a key component of food security. Possessing the ability to plan, procure, and store culturally and diet-appropriate foods can lead to a more active, healthy life.iv Additionally, stable housing helps alleviate many of the emotional and mental stressors like anxiety and depression that exacerbate breakdowns in overall health, and increase barriers to one’s ability to access health care resources. Stable housing leads to increased participation in society, leading to an overall healthier community.    

Moving Toward a Holistic, Inclusive System 

Supporting food security for the homeless population in the District requires a flexible and inclusive approach. Improving SNAP’s accessibility and collaborating with local resources and organizations can make a lasting impact on those in need.   

These enhancements can include policy adjustments, expanded eligibility criteria, and tailored support services designed to meet the specific needs of those without stable housing. Such efforts are critical for promoting health, dignity, and equity among homeless individuals. 

  • Allow shelter and service provider addresses: Simplifying and widely publicizing options to use shelter or nonprofit addresses for SNAP applications would enable more unhoused individuals the ability to complete the application process. 
  • Simplify documentation requirements: Reducing documentation requirements or allowing alternate forms of verification, such as shelter-based attestations, would remove one of the primary barriers to accessing SNAP benefits. 
  • Expand the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) into the District: Adding Washington, D.C., to the list of RMP participants will increase access to fulfilling, nutritious meals for District residents who use SNAP, and allow recipients without kitchen access to buy hot, ready-to-eat meals using their benefits. 

Obtaining SNAP Benefits in the District 

As an unhoused person, there can be challenges with completing the SNAP application process. Below are a few specific steps to ensure access without a permanent address or standard documentation.  

  1. Use the address of a homeless shelter, social service agency, or nonprofit organization with their permission. District shelters and organizations often work with D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide addresses for mail communications.  
  2. Provide alternative forms of identification and verification: Use other forms of identification, such as a shelter ID, Social Security card, or verification from a shelter representative. If you don’t have formal income documents, you can submit a letter from a shelter or social service provider explaining your financial situation. Some shelters can assist in writing these letters. 
  3. Indicate “no permanent address” on the form. As long as you provide an authorized address (like a shelter’s), DHS can work with you to confirm residency.
  4. Request Expedited Services to begin receiving SNAP benefits within seven days of applying. Inform the DHS representative of your housing situation and ask for expedited processing if you have little or no income and limited resources. 
  5. Organizations like D.C. Hunger Solutions provide SNAP application assistance, information, and resources for individuals facing homelessness in Washington, D.C.  

The District is home to many programs that simultaneously address homelessness and hunger in the form of emergency services, and economic empowerment initiatives that strengthen community. Martha’s Table offers healthy food access through pop-up markets and mobile services, providing residents with fresh produce and meals. Central Union Mission provides daily meals, shelter, and job support services, helping individuals not only meet food needs but also work toward stability. So Others Might Eat (SOME) offers meals, affordable housing, and job training. SOME works to relieve immediate food insecurity and supports homeless individuals in regaining their footing. Bread for the City operates food pantries where individuals can choose groceries. It also offers health care, legal aid, and social services to ensure holistic support.   

 As Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week comes to a close, let us remember that the fight against food insecurity and housing instability doesn’t end here. It’s a call to action for each of us to play a role in building a society where everyone has access to the most basic needs. By continuing to advocate, educate, and support innovative solutions, we can drive meaningful change and create a future where no one has to choose between a meal and a safe place to sleep.

End Notes

i. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. (2024). Homelessness in Metropolitan Washington: Results Analysis From the Annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count of Persons Experiencing Homelessness. Available at: https://www.nhipdata.org/local/upload/file/2024_PIT_report_FINAL_rev%20Wash%20DC.pdf 

ii. D.C. Hunger Solutions. (2024). Minding the Grocery Gap in D.C.: A 2024 Update. Available at: https://www.dchunger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Minding-Grocery-Gap-2024.pdf. Accessed on November 19, 2024.

iii. D.C. Hunger Solutions. (2024). 2024 Racial Equity Report: Racial Inequities Impact Food Security in the District of Columbia. Available at: https://www.dchunger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Racial-Equity-Report-2024.pdf

iv. National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Food accessibility, insecurity and health outcomes. (2024). NIMHD. https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/resources/understanding-health-disparities/food-accessibility-insecurity-and-health-outcomes.html