Julia Irving

No Slide Zone to Slide Only Community
Housing instability is a critical but often overlooked driver of community violence in Washington, DC, particularly for young Black men, survivors of violence, and families navigating trauma and displacement. This project proposes a housing-based violence intervention model through the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) that provides safe, transitional housing paired with wraparound supports including cognitive behavioral intervention, counseling, job readiness, and strategic relocation services. By treating housing stability as a core violence prevention strategy rather than a parallel social service, the project aims to reduce retaliation, support healing, interrupt cycles of trauma, and create safer pathways for individuals and families most impacted by violence.