Impact Story

DC SAFE: A Sustainable Shelter for Survivors

DC SAFE, the District’s sole 24/7 crisis intervention agency for domestic violence survivors has been a place of refuge for thousands of residents since 2006. Driven by a mission to ensure the safety and self-determination of survivors through emergency services, court advocacy, and system reform, DC SAFE stands as a vital pillar of support for those in need. The DCSEU first began a partnership with the non-profit in 2019 through a joint fundraising campaign, “The Power to Save Lives,” raising funds to provide energy-saving appliances to their new SAFE Space Crisis Shelter.

Now, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony held on July 20, 2023 SAFE Space has opened its doors to survivors in need. The modern shelter holds 30 well-equipped units, each complete with its own kitchen, bathroom, and living area. Designed to house up to 750 survivors and their families each year, this facility stands alone in the District as a 24/7 refuge that can offer immediate placement within an hour of a domestic violence incident. It also triples the capacity of its previous location and delivers on-site support service, family-friendly recreational facilities, heightened security, and access to public transportation, all while maintaining environmental sustainability. “Energy efficiency is really important to us because we are a non-profit organization and have to be good stewards of our resources,” says Natalia Otero, Co-Founder and Executive Director of DC SAFE.  

The organization began the project around 6 years ago with the purchase of a new lot in NE DC. However, they recognized an urgency to build quickly with COVID-19 lockdowns causing an increase in domestic abuse incidents in the District. The DCSEU was able to help with the planning and building process, offering consultations and energy audit walkthroughs to optimize sustainable solutions for the shelter. “It was really helpful to have the guidance because we’ve never done this before. So, it was important to make those decisions up front,” Otero says of the guidance received. Through the process, the DCSEU also provided more than $58,000 in incentives for lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, and faucet aerators. 

Otero notes, "Social change is not for the short-of-patience or -perseverance... and it can only be innovative and adaptive if it is backed up by a collective action. This incredible building is a testament to that." With these energy-efficient measures in place, the new SAFE Space Crisis Shelter is projected to conserve 147,473 kWh and 36 MMBtu. As the shelter embraces sustainability, it simultaneously reaffirms its mission to provide essential support to survivors within the District.