A 7000-series Metrorail train at the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station. Image by MW Transit Photos used with permission.

New poll finds 77 percent of riders rate Metro “excellent” or “good”

In a new Washington Post-Schar School poll, 77 percent of regular and occasional riders rate Metro as “excellent” or “good” and approximately three-quarters percent say Metro is reliable and a good value. 57 percent rate safety on Metro “excellent” or “good.” Findings hold across gender, race, education, and income. (This article may be behind a paywall.)  (Post)  

Developer secures approval for reduced parking at Metro-adjacent project under Reston’s new regulations

Back in 2018, Boston Properties secured approval to develop fewer parking spaces at its Reston Town Center expansion than regulations required — but since then, an overhaul of Reston’s parking regulations meant that the project’s approved number of spaces exceeded the new minimum requirements. Given that, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved Boston Properties’ request to reduce the number of additional parking spaces to the new minimum: .4 spaces per bedroom rather than 1.1 to 1.6 spaces. More than 2,000 residential units are planned for the mixed-use project.  (Angela Woolsey / FFXNow)  

Montgomery County sees 28 percent increase in number of people experiencing homelessness

Montgomery County is seeing a rise in its unhoused population. Since 2020, the number of people experiencing homelessness has risen 116%, making up 1.1% of the entire population. From 2023 to 2024, the number of people experiencing homelessness increased from 894 to 1,144, an increase of 28 percent.  (Suzanne Pollak / Montgomery Community Media)  

Arlington sees 14 percent increase in number of people experiencing homelessness

A report from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments revealed that Arlington’s unhoused population rose by 14 percent in the last year while the number of people experiencing chronic homelessness doubled. With improved outreach, however, the number of youth and domestic violence survivors experiencing homelessness decreased.   (James Jarvis / ARLNow)  

Officials begin series of encampment clearings in DC amidst rising rate of homelessness

On Thursday morning, officials from the National Park Service and the DC Department of Public Works cleared a homeless encampment in Foggy Bottom, the first of six to be cleared in the coming days. A Miriam’s Kitchen spokesperson notes that approximately 50 people have been displaced. Homelessness in DC has increased 14 percent in the last year.  (Ana Golden / WTOP)  

DC-based nonprofits to receive approximately $7 million for housing counseling services

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced grant awards totaling $7 million for seven housing counseling organizations and intermediaries based in DC, including Housing Counseling Services, Lydia’s House in Southeast, and the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development. The funds will provide a boost in services available for renters, homeowners, and homebuyers.  (Stacy M. Brown / The Washington Informer)  

Driver kills pedestrian in Landover hit-and-run

A driver struck and killed a woman in the Landover area at about 10:30 pm on Tuesday night and fled the scene. The woman was attempting to cross the street near the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Highway and Bell Haven Drive.  (Ivy Lyons / WTOP)  

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