News | Street Sense Media

Artist Chris Cole finds a safe space to create again

Chris Cole is a 37-year-old poet, doodler, and painter. She’s worked as an artist and vendor for Street Sense for two years. Chris discovered the… Read more »

A day at the beach with Rochelle Walker

Rochelle L. Walker is a 59-year-old painter and writer. She’s worked as an artist and vendor for Street Sense Media for three years. After her apartment building was shut down, Walker received efficiency housing through a local homeless services provider and discovered Street Sense Media in the process.

It takes a whole village: ‘SHERO’ community walk celebrates community efforts to curb homelessness

Street Village, a homeless services nonprofit located in Washington, D.C. is hosting a community walk this fall to shed light on the challenges women face while experiencing homelessness.

A Black woman in blue lipstick and eye shadow smiles.

Sybil Taylor’s been at Street Sense for 14 years, and she’s still learning new things

Long-time vendor Sybil Taylor shares how she began creating art for the paper this year.

DC government halts family exits from beleaguered Rapid Rehousing subsidy program until Sept. 30

Evy Wilkins was thrilled to move into her apartment. As a low-income D.C. resident, she qualified for a rent subsidy through the District’s Rapid Rehousing (RRH) program. But Wilkins’ joy quickly turned into a nightmare.

Two workers carry a tent across a park, behind a large grey tent.

DC conducts at least 70 encampment engagements each year. Are they effective?

D.C. conducts over 70 encampment engagements every year. Do they achieve what they’re supposed to?

DC announces expansion of first-time homebuyer program

D.C. will increase the aid available through the Home Purchase Assistance Program starting October 1.

Last summer, D.C.’s Office of the Attorney General sued the current property owners of Marbury Plaza for numerous health and safety violations. Photo by Ben Gutman

‘Nothing is up to par’: Tenants at Marbury Plaza live in unsafe conditions amid lawsuit

Tenants at Marbury Plaza await the resolution of the Attorney General’s cases against their landlords, as conditions around the property remain dangerous.

D.C. residents waiting in line to receive a monkeypox vaccine. Photo by Jasper Smith

DC expands monkeypox vaccination efforts to be more accessible as cases rise

Three D.C. Health locations will now provide 300 monkeypox vaccines for District residents each Friday.

A blue sign reading "District of Columbia Courts, 510" next to a closed wooden door.

How DC’s eviction prevention hotline can help tenants

D.C.’s pro bono legal service providers have stopped two-thirds of evictions in D.C. with outreach and a centralized intake system.

A phone dials 988 to access the national lifeline

New number, same care: DC residents can now call 988 to receive support during a mental health crisis

July 16 was the national rollout of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

The gig economy’s latest adversary: inflation

During a period of inflation, people are motivated to join the gig economy for extra income to cover rising expenses. Inflation simultaneously engenders and exacerbates fiscal obstacles for gig workers.

Ann Oliva stands at a podium in front of a gold curtain.

National Alliance to End Homelessness lays out new priorities

The National Alliance to End Homelessness’s new leadership pledged to end homelessness by centering racial justice and lived experience at the organization’s annual conference.

DMHHS employees conducting a clean up at an encampment.

USICH encampment engagement guidance critiqued for promoting site closures

USICH created seven principles of encampment engagement to assist communities that are hoping to address encampments. USICH’s guidance operates under a flawed rehousing system and promotes encampment closures.

The door to the Palisades Recreation Center

Is DC’s heat plan working for people experiencing homelessness?

D.C.’s heat plan has been activated more than 20 times this year, but residents experiencing homelessness still don’t know where to go to get cool.

D.C. funded 2400 vouchers. Less than 600 people have moved into housing

D.C. so far has housed just a fraction of the people experiencing chronic homelessness despite the availability of more funding this year.

Greater DC Diaper Bank launches ‘Wipeout Summer’ donation campaign

The Greater DC Diaper Bank was able to distribute 8,124 pounds worth of wipes during the 2021 donation campaign.

Watchdog group finds profits soaring for real estate company facing several lawsuits

In Equity Residential’s Feb. 1 earnings report, Mark J. Parrell — the company’s president and CEO — was quoted lauding their low resident turnover rates and rent increases.

DC Attorney General sues Housing Authority over accessibility violations; advocates cite systemic failures

Over 200 tenants — who’ve been waiting years to receive reasonable disability accommodations — are at the forefront of the lawsuit against the D.C. Housing Authority.

Encampment cleanup paused for a day; residents resist

Tiny, who lives in the encampment, sat on top of her bookshelf as DMHHS workers and service providers attempted to force her to move her belongings for the June 28 clean-up.

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