They are recommending nonresident of DC because you lived there less than183 days. It would seem your intent was not to establish residency but stay until you found other accomodations: Part-Year Resident
An individual is a part-year resident if he/she moves into or out of
DC during the year with the intent to establish or abandon his/her
domicile in DC. The calculation of tax liability for a part-year resident
is prorated based on the income earned in DC, during the period of
residency. An individual filing a part-year return must indicate the period of residency on Line 2 of Form D-40. All credits, exemptions and
deductions must be prorated according to the time of DC residency.
While you file jointly for federal, you are filing a joint return for VA but they allow you to reflect separate income and a reduction in tax by doing so. The maximum amount of the "Spouse Tax Adjustment" is $259 per the instructions.
