Assisted Living in District of Columbia: A Family Guide

Facts checked September 28, 2026 against official District of Columbia sources

What assisted living is called in District of Columbia, what it costs, how Medicaid can help, how to check a community’s license and inspections, and who to call if something goes wrong. Every fact links to the official source.

Licensed by

DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration, Community Residence Facilities Branch¹

Licensed communities on Lilisity

22 assisted living

Medicaid help

Limited: EPD Waiver²

File a complaint

(877) 672-2174³

What assisted living is called in District of Columbia

• Assisted Living Residence (ALR)DC's licensed assisted living setting. The goal is quality of life and letting residents age in place in a home-like setting.¹

What assisted living costs in District of Columbia

If more care is needed later: nursing home costs in District of Columbia, with CareScout medians and the private-pay rates District of Columbia nursing homes publish.

Plan with our free tools: how long will the money last? and home care or assisted living?

Paying for assisted living in District of Columbia

Medicare does not pay for assisted living. Families pay from savings and income, long-term care insurance, or benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance (estimate it). Who actually pays for long-term care.

Medicaid. DC Health's September 2026 directory marks 6 of the 23 listed residences as "EPD Waiver." The directory does not explain the waiver, so ask each residence, and DC's Medicaid agency can confirm what it covers. Program: EPD Waiver.² Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living in any state, and not every community accepts it, so ask each one.

How to check a community in District of Columbia

Look up a license. DC Health posts a PDF directory of assisted living residences with each one's address, ward, administrator, phone, and licensed bed count. It also marks some residences with "EPD Waiver." Search District of Columbia’s records.²

Lilisity shows District of Columbia’s inspection record on each community’s page where the state publishes one: the state’s own records, dated and linked to the official source.

Always visit in person, at a mealtime or in the evening if you can. Bring the tour scorecard and the 8 tour questions.

If something goes wrong

Complaints about care or conditions. DC Health takes complaints about licensed health care facilities through an online form linked from this page. The page also lists a contact phone with office hours of 8:15am to 4:45pm. Call (877) 672-2174 or file online.³

Abuse, neglect or exploitation. Call (202) 541-3950. How to report.⁴ If someone is in danger, call 911.

Find assisted living in District of Columbia

Assisted living by city

Every community and county in District of Columbia

Sources

1. Licensing agency, license types (dchealth.dc.gov)
2. Medicaid, license lookup (dchealth.dc.gov)
3. Complaints (dchealth.dc.gov)
4. Reporting abuse (dacl.dc.gov)

Facts checked against these official sources on September 28, 2026. Rules and programs change; confirm with the agency before making a decision. General information, not legal or financial advice.