Stories of Impact: Rachelle Ellison

Rachelle Ellison, Community Advocate

The Coalition first met Rachelle Ellison through her role as assistant director of the People for Fairness Coalition, a nonprofit that advocates for housing rights and does outreach to unhoused community members in the District. As time passed, we got to learn more and more about Rachelle’s journey, and today, she is one of our fiercest allies and an invaluable member of The Coalition’s advocacy family.

Rachelle experienced homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health disorders for more than 17 years, often sleeping outside in Freedom Plaza or Franklin Park. In 2008, thanks to Pathways to Housing DC, her nearly two decades of instability changed, and she was able to obtain permanent housing through a voucher program.

Rachelle’s Pathways to Housing program’s focus was to transition residents to economic independence and sustainability. The program was client-centric, providing participants with wrap-around services including mental and physical healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and education and employment resources in addition to housing.

In 2022, Rachelle was accepted into the inaugural cohort of The Coalition’s Community Voices Academy, a 10-month intensive training program for District residents to obtain tools, training, and resources that will assist them in conveying their perspectives and achieving their policy and advocacy goals. Members of this first cohort each worked on a capstone assignment throughout the 10-month program. Rachelle’s capstone? Get her moving-on voucher and graduate from Pathways to Housing’s program.

Now a private psychiatrist and mental health and substance abuse counselor in addition to her role at the People for Fairness Coalition, Rachelle no longer needs the wrap-around services provided at Pathways to Housing.

Though Rachelle couldn’t obtain her moving-on voucher by the end of her 10 months in the CVA, she had made significant strides toward reaching her goal. In fact, Rachelle was such a committed and engaged CVA participant that she was invited back to lead Cohort II as an instructor.

Finally, in July of 2024, Rachelle officially graduated from Pathways to Housing DC and received her moving-on voucher.

An advocate for the city’s housing first model, Rachelle said her story is an example of how housing first can change a life. “I just want to inspire others and give them hope,” she says.

The Coalition is so incredibly proud of Rachelle and all she’s accomplished throughout the time we’ve known her. We continue to be in awe of her passion and commitment to helping others. We look forward to continued partnership with Rachelle and uplifting her as a leader in our advocacy family!