Posts tagged Homelessness
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DC has spent hundreds of thousands on encampment removals. Now, people experiencing homelessness are suing.
Last month, several people experiencing homelessness filed a class-action lawsuit against the District, claiming that their belongings were being improperly thrown away during sweeps of encampments. As the lawsuit progresses through the courts, one thing is certain: until DC is able to provide mental health services and safe housing for all of those who need it, people will continue to live in encampments. Keep reading…
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Bills cracking down on sex work won’t help trafficking victims, but more housing will
The problems facing sex workers, sex trafficking victims, and the Ward 6 residents who don’t want to find condoms on their lawn are all rooted in the same thing — homelessness. If we want to make DC’s public spaces safer, especially for those most likely to experience physical and sexual violence, we need to make sure that everyone in our city is housed first. Keep reading…
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The first DC Council candidate debate brings affordable housing, and candidates’ experience levels, to the fore
Battle of the newbies, battle of the wonks: the DC Council debate highlighted passionate appeals about housing affordability, homelessness, and similar issues — as well as the candidates' contrasting experience levels. Keep reading…
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Candidates for the top job on the DC Council spar over the city’s budget surplus
Candidates for the top job on the DC Council have different ideas about what to do with the District's budget surplus. One says the city should invest more in affordable housing and homeless shelters, while the other says there's no extra money to spend. Keep reading…
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There are more than 7,000 homeless people in DC. Learn how to help them.
Recently there’s been an apparent increase in people experiencing homelessness in the Dupont area and surrounding neighborhoods like Foggy Bottom. While it's a huge and complex issue, there are many ways to help locally. Keep reading…
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Events: At-large candidate forum, GGWash happy hour, and homelessness town hall
There's a GGWash happy hour in Prince George's, a candidate forum for DC Council candidates, a town hall on homelessness, a bikeshare hack night, and more in upcoming events! Keep reading…
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Ward 3’s homeless shelter wins approval, but that’s not even the hard part
More than a year after they were first proposed, two homeless shelters now have the necessary zoning approval to go up in Wards 3 and 5. For a city that talks a big game about diversity and inclusivity, this is a big step forward. But making room for disadvantaged families in all parts of the city will take more than just new shelters. Keep reading…
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Washington links: Chinatown wants the streetcar now
Business owners in Chinatown say they're tired of the council promising a streetcar but not following through, Georgetown is making room for new housing for homeless families, and Mount Rainier is about to get more reliable cell phone service. Read the latest breaking stories from around Washington. Keep reading…
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You can’t talk about homelessness in DC without discussing Maryland and Virginia, too
“I make $100 too much [to qualify for housing subsidies]. I work full time, I work part time, I work Saturdays. I want to pay rent, it’s the right thing to do. I’m responsible…and I keep getting pushed to the wall. It’s just me and my automobile. Where is the help for a single, working, decent, tax-paying, law abiding citizen?” Keep reading…
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After Bill O’Reilly got his DC facts wrong, Muriel Bowser set him straight
DC mayor Muriel Bowser is creating a legal defense fund for immigrants who may be targeted for deportation during the Trump administration. Bill O'Reilly and a guest recently railed against the plan, saying a number of untrue things in the process. Bowser's office put out this video setting the record straight. Keep reading…