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Homeless service providers receive millions in PPP loans

At least 14 homeless service providers received loans from the federal program for small businesses, which went towards covering payroll costs to retain employees and maintain critical services for the District’s most vulnerable residents.

What can happen when the police are asked to respond to a mental health crisis in DC?

After an initial arrest that resulted in a stay-away order regarding the White House grounds and Black Lives Matte Plaza, a reportedly homeless man in need of mental health care now faces compounded charges. DC’s proposed FY 2021 budget includes no major expansions of behavioral health support for people in the criminal justice system.

DC Council increases funding for affordable housing and homeless services, but advocates warn budget still falls short

The amended budget, which increases funding for building new affordable housing units, providing tenants with rental relief and extending social services, faces a final vote by the Council on July 21, after which it will be submitted to the Mayor.

Bowser’s budget cuts funding for affordable housing. Advocates say DC’s Black residents will be left behind

The new proposed budget would not do enough to alter chronic homelessness and would disportionately hurt communities of color, housing providers said. They urged D.C. to restore funding by looking at other areas of the budget and increasing taxes on the wealthy.

The global pandemic and political discord highlight the importance of the Poor People’s Campaign

The Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington planned for this month will be digital, due to the ongoing pandemic. Organizers hope the assembly will bring about change while COVID-19 disproportionately affects poor and Black Americans and nationwide protests demand reckoning with systemic racism.

No significant funding added to Emergency Rental Assistance Program despite ongoing effects of COVID-19

Proposed funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in fiscal year 2021 has decreased by $15,000 compared to what was approved this year.

Advocates highlight major gaps in proposed budget for affordable housing and reducing homelessness

The Way Home campaign and the Fair Budget Coalition are calling on the D.C. Council to allocate an additional $66 million to build more permanent supportive housing and fund critical homelessness prevention programs.

Poor People’s Campaign organizers call on DC to turn out for Moral March on Washington

Residents of the DC metro area tend to disproportionately stay home during national marches in the District. Local organizers for the Poor People’s Campaign say it’s imperative not to sit this one out.

Poor people stand up: National campaign to build community and spark change stops in DC

At a Jan. 29 meeting, the Poor People’s Campaign prepared for a large-scale rally and march on Washington scheduled for June 2020.

Franklin Square Park will close for renovations this fall

Street Sense Media artist and vendor Reginald Black writes about a D.C. park closing.

Finding gainful employment remains a large hurdle for homeless DC residents. A new Georgetown cafe aims to help overcome it.

Spero Ministries, a new initiative through Veritas City Church, will provide D.C. residents with job training and temporary employment.

Problems with DC’s rapid rehousing program remain after years of concerted reform efforts

Despite years of reform efforts, DHS is still working to fix the many issues with rapid rehousing.

This text-notification service for the DC homeless community is working to expand

The notification service is run entirely by volunteers.

Candidates for mayor and DC Council chair discuss their platforms to reduce homelessness

A group of individuals formerly or currently experiencing homelessness held a forum May 4 for D.C. mayor and council chair candidates at the Church of… Read more »

DC Council examines city’s bathroom shortage

The D.C. Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment held a public hearing Jan. 10 to discuss Bill 22-0223, the Public Restroom Facilities Installation and Promotion Act of 2017. The bill seeks to increase access to restrooms in downtown neighborhoods where they are scarce. Community representatives testified to the benefit such an initiative would have for tourists, residents, and the homeless alike.  

Stations of the Cross:
A Pilgrimage for Art Lovers

A new D.C. art exhibition encourages people to travel the Stations of the Cross and reflect on new and familiar works of art to take a spiritual pilgrimage that resonates across different places, times and faiths. 

City Homeless Services Find MLK Library Hard to Replace

At ICH pre-meeting, DC Department of Human Services owns communication breakdown between officials and homeless community during last-minute interim service plan implementation for MLK Library renovation years in the making.

Library Closure Highlights Need for Downtown Daycenter

Downtown D.C.’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is set to close on March 4 for a three-year renovation. Many of the library’s patrons are experiencing homelessness and use the library for its resources.

“Housing is a Human Right,” Panelists Agree

Panelists from D.C. working in law, government and outreach deliberate the UN’s declaration of the “universal human right to housing.”

Panel Analyzes District’s Criminalization of Homelessness

In an effort to curb the criminalization of homelessness in D.C., Street Sense hosted a panel discussion on Thursday, February 11 at the Church of… Read more »