Community | Street Sense Media

An aerial photo displays people living in tents on the sidewalk of a city.

The things that hurt me the most

A poem about how people experiencing homelessness sometimes treat each other, and how DC government treats them.

Small weeds grow between three gray stone steps.

The Streets

Don Gardner writes about the trials of living in his neighborhood.

Happy Holidays

Colly Dennis wishes readers happy holidays.

Photo of parchers in the street, holding signs bearing the names and ages of people who died without a home that year.

People are dying homeless — where’s the money to help them going?

Donté Turner on the importance of providing financial aid to those experiencing homelessness.

An image of stockings hung over a fireplace beside a Christmas tree.

Stay safe this Christmas

Aida Peery offers some words for the upcoming holidays.

A man loads groceries into the back of an open truck.

500 DC families received $1,100 a week. Here’s how it helped them.

THRIVE, a partnership between four local nonprofits, launched a basic income program in Ward 8. Participants report that the extra money has made an unimaginable difference in their financial situation.

Enjoy the holiday

Artist and vendor Daniel Ball shares his plans for Thanksgiving.

My friend was murdered on Halloween

Jemel Fleming remembers his friend who was murdered 22 years ago.

A rendering of the outside of the library and new cafe patio.

DC Central Kitchen to run new cafe in MLK Library

The nonprofit has trained people with high barriers to employment for the past 30 years and will now expand to run a new cafe in the renovated Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in downtown D.C.

A woman walking next to a green lawn with a Census bag.

Officials worry about an undercount of homeless people in the 2020 Census

The Census, which informs how funding for many programs, has struggled to count the homeless population. This effort has been further complicated by COVID-19.

Photo of a person sleeping on a bench with the Washington Monument visible behind them.

Thinking of Dan

Artists and vendors remember Street Sense vendor Dan Hooks.

A black and white mural depicting Duke Ellington perfomring

Life in the neighborhood

Jemel Fleming shares what life is like in his neighborhood.

Treading The Waters: Looking Ahead (A Special Message)

Author Gerald Anderson shares a special message with his readers.

Three bills to protect renters get a hearing this week

D.C. Council has passed a number of temporary and emergency bills to protect renters during the pandemic. Now it is considering permanent protections.

A need for peace

Angie Whitehurst links current events to advocacy for a U.S. Department of Peace.

What reopening the Martin-Luther King Jr. Memorial Library means for the homeless community

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial library reopens after a three-year renovation. COVID-19 has affected it, but the library is still trying to help the homeless community.