The former landlord of Forest Ridge and The Vistas, two apartment buildings in Ward 8, has agreed to pay current and former tenants $1.9 million in restitution payments to compensate them for uninhabitable living conditions.
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Former Ward 8 landlord to pay $3.5 million to tenants and DC over poor housing conditions
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.
Budget for public housing repairs is not enough to address ‘extremely urgent’ conditions
Mayor Bowser’s budget has allocated funding to public housing repairs in response to a decade-long federal disinvestment. However, advocates argue that more money needs to be shifted to establish a recurring amount of funding for these repairs.
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.
Limiting police power in schools is a win for some and a step back for others
n July 8, local anti-police groups got one step closer to their goal of police-free schools when the D.C. Council passed an amendment to change… Read more »
‘Nowhere to go’: US pandemic prison releases prompt housing concerns
Many jails have drastically reduced their populations amid coronavirus fears, but where do ex-prisoners go once they’re out?
Anticipating a rise in homelessness, advocates worry DC is phasing out motels for family shelter too soon
COVID-19 is expected to cause a surge in homelessness, and motels used for overflow family shelter space — now being eliminated — may become the only place to house families.
Tenants withholding payments urge DC Council to cancel rent
The DC Tenant Union organized strikes in a dozen apartment buildings across the city to urge the council to cancel rent in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
Online learning leaves some adult students offline
K-12 and university students were not the only people forced to transition to remote classes in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The digital divide between those who have access to modern technology and those who do not is even wider for students in adult education programs.
Homeless census count postponed until September due to COVID concerns
Census workers will conduct a crucial count of people experiencing homelessness in September. The count of people without conventional housing was initially scheduled for March but was delayed by the COVID-19 crisis.
At-risk youth hold peaceful demonstration in support of Black and brown lives
At least 100 formerly homeless youth took to the streets of Eastern Market on June 16 for a demonstration in support of their peers and the Black Lives Matter movement. They were all members of Sasha Bruce Youthwork, which houses approximately 150 runaway and homeless youth and provides counseling, education, and life- skill services.
Franklin Park renovations begin, leaving some homeless residents unsure where to go
The redevelopment of Franklin Park has been planned for years. Due to past starts and stops, some residents thought it was only a rumor. But people were forced to leave on June 30 and a fence is being erected on July 1.
What does reopening look like for DC’s homeless community?
Entering Phase Two included significant changes for local businesses but few changes for homeless services. A glimpse into what needs to occur before proceeding to Phase Three, and how DHS is preparing to approach the rest of 2020.
The CARES Act expiration may leave millions without support
Congress’ emergency federal aid expansion is set to expire at the end of July, cutting millions of Americans who became unemployed during the Covid-19 pandemic from vital support. Experts advise that the aid package be extended to return poverty rates to pre-crisis levels.
2-day sit-in across from the Wilson Building protests DC police budget expansion
Members of the racial justice collective Freedom Fighters D.C. began to sit in at the plaza in protest of the mayor’s proposed police budget. Hundred joined them over the course of two days.
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.
Franklin Park to close next Wednesday
Franklin Square Park will close on July 1 for a 12-month renovation project organized by the National Park Service and the Mayor’s office. Homeless residents will lose access to the park after a clean-up conducted by the National Park Service on June 30.
Annual survey reveals a continued decrease in family homelessness, no change for youth, and an increase for single individuals
The annual Point-in-Time Count shows the number of homeless people in DC fell for the fifth consecutive year. But experts warn the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic will likely cause an increase in homelessness.
New HUD rule could allow anti-trans discrimination in shelters
Homeless shelters that receive federal funding will be allowed to consider an individual’s sex and gender identity when deciding on accommodations, thanks to a June 12th rule from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
