Content categorized as Community

Howard University #BlackburnTakeover occupation is about more than just housing

Students, alumni and faculty are calling for the university to cancel its housing contract with Corvias, but the student occupation of Blackburn University Center is about more than housing conditions.

A new accessible medical center opens in Ward 8, DC

The Michelle Obama Southeast Center of Bread for the City, a federally funded community health center, opened recently at 1700 Good Hope Road SE to provide greater access to low-barrier healthcare services for residents in Wards 7 and 8.

Judge rules DC is not at fault for funding construction of affordable housing that fell apart soon after it was built

A group of homeowners filed a lawsuit against the city and a developer in January, claiming major oversights with the construction of homes that fell apart once they were sold. The homes were financed through a special fund administered by the city to provide affordable housing to low-income, first-time homeowners. But a District judge ruled in late August that the city is not responsible even after helping fund the construction of homes that were faulty. With the developer having declared bankruptcy, it’s unclear what the future of the case will be.

Violence interruption programs can break the cycle of violence

D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine envisions an end to gun violence–as long as all hands are on deck. Racine, who launched the Cure the Streets program to aid neighborhoods affected by historically high rates of gun violence, believes that investing in overlooked communities and addressing the root cause of gun violence is a necessary step in order to achieve peace.

Park evictions disrupt housing placements and send residents scrambling

Residents of Burke Park and Samuel Gompers Memorial Park packed up what they could carry from their tents after last-ditch efforts to cancel their eviction failed. Advocates are worried that the evictions will make their journeys to permanent housing more difficult.

Franklin Park opening in September with public bathrooms and improved accessibility

Franklin Park, long a gathering place for homeless residents, will open in September with new public bathrooms, improved accessibility, and overhauled greenspaces.

Ward 2 residents fight attempt to displace a homeless encampment near Safeway

After wooden planters were illegally placed in front of a Ward 2 Safeway following a scheduled encampment clean-up, advocates and housed residents fought back against this attempt to keep the unhoused residents from moving back.

Encampment cleanup at 7th and P St NW bus shelter sparks debate over public space

Two full encampment cleanups at the 7th and P St NW bus shelter and in a neighboring empty lot add to the debate about D.C.’s public space.

Why we can’t just defund the police

Artist/Vendor Ayub Abdul shares opinions on why the community and police need to collaborate to help right social justice and meet local needs.

Vigil honors Jose Navarro and 42 other individuals who died on D.C. streets in 2021

One month after Jose Navarro died on the steps of Foundry United Methodist Church, a vigil honors his life and the lives of 42 others. Advocates for the homeless community now push for wealth taxes to end chronic homelessness in his and their honor.  

Millions in funding set to flood digital inclusion projects, but advocates say the specific spending is not data-driven

The mayor’s budget includes a major influx in digital inclusion funds after the pandemic worsened digital inequity. 

DC neighborhood commissions can continue meeting virtually

Advisory Neighborhood Commissions in the District can continue meeting virtually through January of next year, thanks to D.C. Council action last week. The hyper-local elected bodies have stayed active, helping District communities through the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to video conference tools and mobile apps.

DC Council passed a law prohibiting DC businesses from refusing cash. However, local cashless businesses are booming

The District passed a law late last year that prevents businesses from discriminating against customers using cash for payments. But so far the law has done little to prevent the growth of cashless businesses in the city.

Little Free Library wants to diversify its books

The Little Free Library system is about to become more diverse in D.C. The Wisconsin-based nonprofit behind the book-sharing boxes plans to provide 5,000 books to 21 new locations spread throughout the city that highlight the experiences of people who are BIPOC and identify as LGBTQ+.

Confusion mires Zoning Commission meeting about Barry Farm and residents’ right to return

Despite families leaving as early as 2012, redevelopment at Barry Farm continues to see delays, and former residents still are not sure whether – or when – they may be able to return.

Unhoused residents unite with local ANCs to prevent eviction

U.S. Park Police is planning to “move on” tent communities in Burke and Samuel Gompers Memorial Park after neighbors complained to them, accusing the unhoused of several federal code violations.

Patients and staff brace for large cuts to Southeast DC’s only hospital

One nurse at United Medical Center described a hospital “strangled” by a lack of staff and resources. Last month, the D.C. Council voted to further limit money flowing in.

Look at This a Street Sense Media Podcast: Episode Four

Street Sense vendor and artist Rita Sauls lives in a tent encampment with around 30 other people in Washington, D.C. “Before becoming a tenter, I… Read more »

What a park redevelopment reveals about a community: Beyond the city’s plans to renovate the park at NJ Ave and O St NW

This fall, the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will begin renovating the park at the corner of New Jersey Avenue and O Street NW, permanently displacing an encampment of about 30 residents, and adding to their uncertainty.

DC removes Q St encampment while Ward 5 residents wait for more affordable housing

The Eckington property is supposed to be developed into affordable housing by Mi Casa, an affordable housing developer. In the meantime, the belongings of encampment residents were thrown away.