Content categorized as News

More than 40 people signed up to testify on homelessness during a DC Council oversight hearing

More than 40 “public witnesses” signed up to testify during a DC Council performance oversight hearing on March 1. Many reported mistreatment.

Middle schoolers asked to develop cities that are resilient to climate change also addressed poverty

Middle school students from the U.S. and abroad came to Washington, D.C., as finalists in the Future City competition.

Navigating homeless services is complicated. A new downtown center makes many of them available in one place.

A long-awaited downtown service center for D.C.’s homeless residents officially opened on Feb. 25 at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church at 1313 New York Ave. NW. The grand opening comes after the mayor’s initial plan to open the center on Nov. 1.

Security company replaced immediately after a man was stabbed at 801 East Men’s shelter

The incident is under investigation with support from the Metropolitan Police Department.

Tweaks to Crummell School redevelopment plan trade 32 apartments for 0.16 acres of green space

Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffier answered questions from the community.

Longstanding local school is “homeless” and “on the Go-Go”

“I wish I had a school like that when I was growing up,” one parent said. 

Council considers increased oversight for housing authority and housing production trust fund

One proposal would move the DC housing authority under the purview of the mayor’s office, while another calls for new requirements for DCHA board members.

Adult literacy app competition awards $3M to teams with most progress for users

The first phase of the $7 Million Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE competition resulted in a tie between the two teams that saw the most growth in English literacy among users of their apps.

DC ranks third in drug overdose deaths in America, DC Council discusses plans to prevent more

Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed a strategic plan to reduce the deaths.

Report suggests policy changes to state laws regarding homeless youth

The report comes from the The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty and the National Network for Youth.

25th annual resource fair strives to compensate for the high rate of denials for veterans’ benefits

On Jan. 26, the Washington D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center hosted its 25th Winterhaven Stand Down, a resource event for homeless and at-risk veterans. The day included on-the-spot hiring, legal aid, warm meals and more.

How street outreach meets homeless individuals where they are

Homeless individuals who have experienced trauma are often less likely to seek out services. Here’s how street outreach workers are building relationships through trauma-informed care.

A rare warm evening leads volunteers to count many homeless people without shelter

Reports have shown the amount of people experiencing homeless in the District has been decreasing since 2016.

Affordable Housing Advocates prepare for more competitive housing market

The report says there has been an increasingly expensive and competitive housing market in northern Virginia.

With DC General closed, this organization is bringing playtime to children in overflow family shelters

The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project gives children a chance to enjoy themselves while in a difficult situation.

At Compersia, sharing is more than caring — it’s life

In Compersia, a small DC cooperative, members share a home, a bank account, and a way of life.

Interim agency head aims to focus on affordable housing

Acting director of the District’s Office of Planning, Andrew Trueblood, emphasized his focus on affordable housing as the city develops its new comprehensive plan at a meeting with community activists.

Co-op Tightshift gives ex-prisoners a new way to work

Tightshift co-op, one of the only co-owned businesses of its kind, helps workers get a second chance and provides an opportunity to heal from prison.

DC officials, businesses, and service providers rally around residents affected by the government shutdown

As the partial government shutdown continues, city officials and service providers are working to protect residents relying on federally funded assistance and federal workers going without pay.

Unhoused people are more frequently victims of hate crimes, report says

The National Coalition for the Homeless released its latest report on hate crimes against homeless people in December of 2018.