tamisha, somage and ava have been bouncing around homeless shelters the last three years. the last four months they shared this bed in this crowded hotel room. >> it was crazy. i wouldn't wish this on nobody. >> reporter: but today somage will get to sleep in his own bed. the jacksons aren't the only family who will have a place to call their own this christmas thanks to ra d.c. government program launched two months ago called home for the holidays. >> our goal is to place 400 families by mid january, technically what we're calling the end of the holiday season, as of today we are at 285. >> reporter: looking back at three years of living in homeless shelters, tamisha says the experience has made her and her children stronger. >> i never felt less of a mother, but i feel more of family. i feel more whole. i feel as though they have a safe haven. they have somewhere they can call home. >> reporter: and while somage is looking forward to enjoying his own bed, he's also looking forward to christmas in his new home. >> it's gonna be great and i'm happy that i spend time with

as for 7-year-old somage, he has a message for everyone who helped make his family's dream come true. >> merry christmas and thank you. >> reporter: in the district, mark segraves, news4. >> boy, here's hoping that having a home now will give tamisha the strength to keep on. >> at least it's going to be a merry christmas for all those families. >> sure do hope so. all right, stay with us, folks. this is a popular time of year for bringing home a new pet. >> cats and dogs aren't your only option. you can think outside of the box for your newest family member. >> plus, is that household point set a actually dangerous for catching snow flakes bad for you? we'll look at holidaye finish line as we get closer and closer to christmas. we tall want to know what the weather has in store for us. >> doug comes in here for an update on a very up and ♪ [ splash ] [ horn sounds ] dang! ok, i gotta run. hey, wait, there's something i need to tell you- dang. dang! dang! dang. dang. see zero in a whole new way. get zero down, zero deposit, zero first month's payment, and zero due at signing on

he likes that bed. 7-year-old somage talked to news4's mark segraves about what this new home means for him and his family. >> it's gonna be great and i'm happy that i spend time with my family on christmas. and that i get a lot and i've been great. >> reporter: do you think santa is going to find you in your new home? >> yes. >> reporter: what do you want to say to santa? >> merry christmas and thank you. >> thanks in advance, santa. santa is going to find him. the district has more money in the budget to provide for more homes for the holidays, but tells us they're having trouble finding landlords willing to rent to people who were once homeless. >> a new purpose for a local woman who lost the majority of her family after their christmas tree caught fire. >> i justify don't want to see this tragedy happen to anyone else. >> her tips for making sure your tree doesn't go up in flames next. >> santa is resting his sleigh for christmas. today he caught a ride on a helicopter to visit kids who needed a littl e ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ it all starts with a wish. the final days of wish list