Content categorized as News

Curtis Investment Group fined $900k for housing discrimination in DC

The Office of the Attorney General announced a major victory in a legal battle against property management company the Curtis Investment Group.

11-month-old dies in hotel used as overflow for DC family shelters

An 11-month-old girl died in a hotel being used as a family shelter early in February.

Tenants on strike describe the financial, medical, and emotional toll of apartments in disrepair

Local tenants who have been withholding rent since December describe the myriad problems with their apartments, including mold, bedbugs, leaks and broken heaters.

2020 Point in Time Count will direct future priorities for homeless services

On Jan 22. D.C. conducted the 2020 Point in Time Count. The data collected on this night will help the city determine where to allocate resources for addressing homelessness.

The city’s next 5-year-plan to end homelessness provides more questions than answers

Last week the ICH presented a draft of Homeward D.C. 2.0 in an effort to revitalize the goals of their initial plan, Homeward D.C., and fix shortcomings discovered during its implementation over the past four years. During the meeting, multiple D.C. residents, many of whom were formerly homeless, expressed their concerns with the city’s ability to fulfill the plan’s ambitious goals. Along with the general vagueness of the document itself, residents took issue with the lack of transparency regarding policy meetings and the little progress being made for universally affordable housing.

“One size doesn’t fit all”: The complications of fundraising for NoMa encampments

As encampment residents in the NoMa neighborhood were forced to move from an underpass on K Street in January, one group’s fundraiser illustrates the challenges that come with outreach to a community with varying needs and priorities.

Board votes to approve portion of Barry Farm Dwellings as a historic landmark

Months of deliberations of the future of Barry Farm Dwellings came to an end on Jan. 30 after the Historic Preservation Review Board unanimously voted to protect a section of the neighborhood from redevelopment.

Rent Strike: Facing eviction, tenants rally outside courthouse demanding repairs

After local tenants withheld their rent to demand repairs, their landlord sent them eviction notices. A rally was held the morning of their court date.

New community responses bring hope to people experiencing homelessness in DC, but more permanent housing is needed

As the homelessness crisis rages on, more resources are needed to provide daily outreach and affordable, permanent housing.

At Charlie’s Place, homeless services are managed by someone who has been there

When Reggie Cox first learned about Charlie’s Place, a local shelter, he was in urgent need of a place to stay. Now, after volunteering at the shelter, he serves as executive director.

Tents banned from NoMa underpass after a final clean-up

Residents of the K St underpass in NoMa prepared to permanently move their tents and belonging. The clear out was in response to complaints by NoMa residents and the NoMa Business Improvement District.

This formerly homeless man is gathering funds and volunteers to help people still on the street

Kirk Ellis, a co-founder of OneTribe Outreach, is gathering funds to provide cold-weather sleeping bags to anyone in need this winter.

Community meeting aims to prepare K Street encampment residents for eviction

The clearing of people and their possessions from the K Street underpass between First and 2nd streets NE will take place on Thursday, Jan. 16 regardless of weather conditions, according to Jessica Smith, a policy analyst for the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services.

There are literally thousands of people dying homeless on the streets of America

Members of the International Network of Street Papers illuminate the number of deaths of people experiencing homelessness in major U.S. cities and the reasons why these vulnerable Americans are dying on the streets.

Interfaith service held for those who died without a home

About 50 people gathered at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in honor of Homeless Person’s Memorial Day. An service was held by local religious leaders.

Housing activists hand-deliver 2020 budget priorities to Wilson Building and Bowser Administration

Local housing activists visited the Wilson Building to deliver budget priorities to their councilmembers.

Activists march to remember 117 people who died without homes in DC

On Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019 a group gathered in Luther Place Church to commemorate the lives of those who died without a home last year. Following the service, participants gathered along 14th St, and marched in a procession carrying signs with the names of those who had passed and chanting for their right for housing.

Men experiencing homelessness lead community in 100-year-old Jesuit tradition

The McKenna Singers, a group of men experiencing homelessness, led the community in holiday songs and celebration.

At least 117 people died without a home in DC this year

People gathered on December 19th to commemorate those who died in D.C. this year without a home.

I am one of the 12,000 youth who is homeless in California. One day, I’m going to have my own house.

Justin Jones, one of the many youth experiencing homelessness in California, shares his story.