Breakfast links: DC struggles to connect people experiencing homelessness to housing
Windows on Florida Avenue NW by Olaf Zerbock licensed under Creative Commons.
Despite record voucher numbers, bureaucracy and staffing issues create delays in moving people into housing
Approximately 900 out of 2,900 housing vouchers in DC have not yet been connected to people who need them, and 1,200 people who have received a voucher have yet to move into housing due to complications like mismatched allocations, staffing shortages, and administrative inefficiencies. (Annemarie Cuccia / DCist)
MWCOG executive council advocates for increased in-person work among federal employees
The Metropolitan Washington Area Council of Governments (MWCOG) Chief Administrative Council, a group of Greater Washington’s city and county managers, mayors, and executives, submitted a letter recently to the US Office of Management and Budget urging federal agencies to increase the in-person time of federal government workers at the office. The leaders highlighted the importance of striking a balance between in-person collaboration and flexibility and aiding with the budget shortfall being faced by WMATA in the coming fiscal year. (This article is behind a paywall). (Steve Thompson / Washington Post)
Students at Maryland state universities facing housing shortages, overcrowding, and rent burdens
State universities in Baltimore City and County and Prince George’s County are facing a number of challenges housing students on campus. First-year students are being placed in converted rooms with more people than expected, or in off-campus housing rented by the university and some returning students are scrambling to maintain off-campus housing without the aid of their school. The Maryland Higher Education Commission foresees a 15% enrollment increase in the state’s public colleges and universities by fall 2029 compared to 2019. (This article is behind a paywall). (Baltimore Sun)
Carroll County’s transit system seeks to expand bus service on five federal holidays
The Carroll Transit System has requested approval from the county to operate bus services on five government holidays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Juneteenth, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. Transit officials are presenting this request to the Board of Carroll County Commissioners to help service residents commuting to and from work and other appointments. Currently, 41% of transit trips in 2022 were related to transportation for jobs, medical appointments, and shopping trips. (This article is behind a paywall). (Sherry Greenfield / Baltimore Sun)
Increased police presence on I-66 to crack down on HOV violations
Virginia State Police are intensifying enforcement efforts on Interstate 66 outside the Capital Beltway to address HOV lane violations. The crackdown is aimed at ensuring vehicles have a minimum of three occupants to drive toll-free. Violators of these rules face fines ranging from $125 to $1,000. (Abigail Constantino / WTOP)
Potomac River levels drop again after rebounding in July
Despite recovering some in July, the Washington region is under drought operations, with Montgomery and Loudoun Counties under the most threat. The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin is recommending that parts of the region that can avoid using the Potomac River as a water source should tap into other nearby sources, but maintain that there’s still enough water for the region right now. (Jacob Fenston / DCist)
Developer submits plans to replace Old Town Alexandria office building with housing
Property owners William Thomas Gordon III and William Thomas Gordon IV propose replacing a three-story office building built in 1977 in Old Town with a four-story apartment building. The development will include one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments. The Board of Architectural Review will review the concept plan on September 6. (James Cullum / ALXNow)
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