I have seen the hospital where I was born go through many changes over the years and decades. Some of D.C.’s finest were born there, at D.C. General.
Then it was transformed from an actual-factual medical facility, where baby deliveries and life-saving procedures were performed, into a shelter for families experiencing homelessness.
I can understand providing shelter for the homeless, the underclass, and the “have nots.” I love helping people and I love helping my community, which is why I agree that housing homeless people at a hospital was a great idea. Helping people in the community is not only great but grateful.
The hospital stopped being used for family shelter in 2018 when the mayor’s seven small replacement family facilities began to open. As of now, my understanding is that certain parts of D.C. General are still open for “family services” and some parts are being used for inmate visits since the D.C. Jail is on the same campus.
I am proud to see the hospital I was born in still standing and being used in service to the community.
Can we do better? Yes we can. But how?
If you were born at D.C. General, too, please share using the hashtag #DCGeneralBabies. If you want to see this land repurposed for more community services, please share using the hashtag #DCGeneralAct. The land where the hospital is located is slated for redevelopment. And the D.C. government has received plenty of proposals for what to do with the land.
