Content categorized as Civil Rights

The Trump Administration’s false and damaging narrative on homelessness

The founder and executive director of the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty says how the Trump administration has only hindered those who are experiencing homelessness.

HUD awards local public housing authority almost $924,000 to provide housing for DC residents with disabilities

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Community Connections almost $924,000 for permanent supportive housing.

Say ‘no’ to D.C’s sex work bill

I support the decriminalization of sex work. But I do not support decriminalization for buyers only. And that’s exactly what the Community Safety and Health… Read more »

The coming storm for D.C.’s citizens with disabilities

“One of the most important decisions on the DC Council’s plate this fall is to pass the Direct Support Professional Payment Rate Act of 2019, initiated by Councilmember Brianne Nadeau.”

Street Sense vendors react to downtown bench removal

Multiple Street Sense vendors give their opinions on bench removal in the downtown area.

The city I love

I’m a life-long D.C. resident who remembers when we marched down Pennsylvania Avenue to the monument grounds in the freezing rain, saying to the world… Read more »

Real Science

Real science   I feel like a ghetto lab rat  Real science   My favorite teacher had a bad habit   Real science   She was a victim of… Read more »

“One of the truths:” Security concerns at DC women’s shelters

A woman was raped outside of a city shelter, across the street from a police station.

The Beginning of Poverty and Depression

Street Sense Media vendor connects the dots between poverty and segregation in the era of The Great Depression with his struggles today.

A simple solution to homeless encampments: End homelessness

The NoMa Business Improvement District said in an “open letter” on its website that “conditions are worsening at the encampments in the underpasses and on First Street NE, and that people are worried about their ability to safely traverse these public spaces.”

Two Street Sense Media vendors and three local service provider and advocacy organizations respond.

Stop blaming the homeless

The NoMa Business Improvement District said in an “open letter” on its website that “conditions are worsening at the encampments in the underpasses and on First Street NE, and that people are worried about their ability to safely traverse these public spaces.”

Two Street Sense Media vendors and three local service provider and advocacy organizations respond.

Just say no to BIDs

The NoMa Business Improvement District said in an “open letter” on its website that “conditions are worsening at the encampments in the underpasses and on First Street NE, and that people are worried about their ability to safely traverse these public spaces.”

Two Street Sense Media vendors and three local service provider and advocacy organizations respond.

Housing program for homeless LGBTQ+ youth to open a brand new 14-bed house

In January 2017, the local nonprofit SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders) launched its signature youth house, a 2-year, 12-bed transitional living program for homeless LGBTQ+ youth in the D. C. metropolitan area. This July, the organization received a contract to create a second house, which is set to open its doors before the summer ends.

Responses to NoMa businesses calling for purge of homeless

The NoMa Business Improvement District said in an “open letter” on its website that “conditions are worsening at the encampments in the underpasses and on First Street NE, and that people are worried about their ability to safely traverse these public spaces.”

Two Street Sense Media vendors and three local service provider and advocacy organizations respond.

Fourth annual local news blitz on homelessness

For the fourth consecutive year, at least seven local newsrooms are joining us in a collaborative effort to investigate what is working and what is not working to reduce and prevent homelessness in our communities across the District.

This bill would increase pay for more than 4,000 professionals who assist people with disabilities

The Direct Support Professional Payment Rate Act of 2019 is under review by D.C. Council. The legislation would increase wages for direct support professionals, a workforce that has seen high turnover due to pay in recent years.

Time to Give Back

Vendor Barron Hall reflects on the interaction between his spirituality and his experience as a person of color in America.

Division and Oppression

Vendor-Artist Baron Hall reflects on the history of the black struggle, and his relationship to it.

For rich and for poor, end discrimination now

Artist/Vendor James Gartrell urges people to put a stop to harmful stereotypes about homelessness.

Activists call for a strong focus on racial equity in DC’s comprehensive plan

Empower DC held a meeting regarding DC’s comprehensive plan. With the final vote on the Framework Element coming in September, the group urged the DC Council to use the plan to fight racialized gentrification.