Breakfast links: Homeless in the city

Bucking the trend… for the worst

Though overall homelessness decreased nationally between 2015 and 2016, DC saw the opposite. In fact, since 2007, the District has seen an increase of 191%, the highest in the nation. However, less than 4% of DC’s homeless are unsheltered. (DCist)

Replacing the Nice Bridge

The Nice Bridge will be replaced seven years sooner than originally planned thanks to $765 million in funding from MDTA. The aging bridge connects Charles County in Maryland and King George County in Virginia. (WTOP)

SunTrust Plaza squatters

Opponents of the SunTrust Plaza redevelopment plan are now arguing that the area has a public easement on it that can’t be developed due to its history as a public gathering space. (WAMU)

There’s a lot of construction in DC

The data backs up what most folks have noticed: DC is experiencing its highest rate of construction in decades. Ninety percent of residential construction is rental, and the average square footage of new apartments is trending downward. (DCist)

Show me the receipts

A group of restaurants in Adams Morgan will have to shell out $30,000 and stop serving booze for 30 days after owners were unable to prove to ABRA that food sales accounted for 40% of their revenue. (Borderstan)

Potential HUD pick is cozy with Ryan

One name being floated for HUD Secretary is Paul Ryan’s poverty advisor, Robert L. Woodson. The conservative has expressed skepticism of state-funded housing solutions in the past, instead supporting neighborhood- and faith-based organizational programs. (NextCity)

Struggle for housing in Vancouver

Vancouver mayor Greg Robertson is struggling to address the housing crisis that has exploded since the beginning of his six-year reign. With incredibly high cost of housing and record homelessness, Vancouver recently became one of the first cities in Canada to institute a vacant housing tax. (The Guardian)