McPherson Square encampment in January 2023 by Elvert Barnes licensed under Creative Commons.

Majority of former McPherson Square encampment residents continue to be unhoused

Since federal and DC officials closed the McPherson Square encampment in February, the majority of its former residents remain homeless and many have faced additional evictions. Increasingly, local officials are tapping into an emergency provision that enables them to evict individual campers without notice.  (Marissa J. Lang / Washington Post)  

WMATA increases bus and rail service, along with fares

In the latest in a series of service improvements, WMATA announced decreased headways on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines. Meanwhile, bus service now exceeds pre-pandemic service levels. WMATA has eliminated peak/off-peak fare distinctions, and the average fare is increasing 5%. WMATA’s ability to maintain service improvements beyond June 2024 depends on resolving its looming $750 million budget gap.  (Jordan Pascale / DCist)  

United Way determines survival budget to be $82,000 for family of four in Maryland

Based on 2021 data, the United Way of Central Maryland’s latest “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed” (ALICE) survival budget for Maryland calculates that a family of four would need to make approximately $81,948 and an individual $34,680 to meet basic needs. An estimated 900,000 families fall beneath this threshold, with young people and seniors disproportionately impacted.  (Danielle J. Brown / Maryland Matters)  

Organizers work to protect the long-term future of Eden Center

Eden Center, a hub of 115 mostly Vietnamese-owned small businesses, is not slated for near-term major changes, but Arlington County is engaged in a long-term visioning and planning process for the site. A group of organizers under the banner of Viet Place Collective (VPC) are working to mobilize business owners to ensure that plans contain provisions to protect the long-term viability of this small business community as development pressures increase.  (Washington Post)  

WMATA awarded $104M federal grant to support transition to electric buses

WMATA will use a $104 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to purchase 100 electric buses, convert a maintenance facility in Fairfax County to charge and service the electric buses, and deliver appropriate training to drivers, mechanics, and first responders. WMATA’s goal is for all buses to be zero-emission by 2042.  (Justin George / Washington Post)  

240 apartment homes could be coming to Bethesda Jewelry Exchange site

A developer has asked Montgomery County for permission to build a 17-story building with up to 6,000 square feet of retail, 150 parking spots, and 240 apartments on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda at the former location of the Bethesda Jewelry Exchange. If the county approves the plans, construction could begin in early 2026.  (Urban Turf)  

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