Content categorized as Encampments

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.

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.

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. 

Who is Franklin Square Park being renovated for?

Artist/Vendor Colly Dennis provides opinions on what the Franklin Square Park renovations means, as well as its impacts.

June 8 Dupont encampment cleanup downgraded to trash-only following criticism from activists

The originally scheduled full cleanup of two encampments would have displaced homeless residents from one site to make room for a “streatery.”

Franklin Park to reopen in August

Franklin Park is scheduled to reopen in August this year. Unsheltered residents who live in the area share their views about Franklin Park’s closure and reopening.

DC encampment ‘cleanups’ largely rely on free labor to temporarily move residents’ belongings

On May 13th, the DC Government exercised protocols to “cleanup” two encampments near Union Station and NoMa that caused substantial displacement of a number of residents.

Housing activism turns confrontational in face of deepening housing crisis

Tenants and housing advocates are using more confrontational tactics to fight eviction and displacement as the national affordable housing shortage intensifies.

As its more comprehensive report on homelessness lags years behind, critics question HUD’s data

HUD’s latest report on homelessness statistics is out now, but some advocates say they are underreporting the scale of the crisis.

Making room for construction in NoMa, DC government conducts its 18th encampment cleanup in 2021

Despite CDC warnings, on March 4, The Deputy Mayor on Health and Human Services conducted the 18th encampment cleanup in 2021 on 1st and H, cleaning up trash and displacing several individuals to pave the way for a construction project.

Mutual aid groups try to fill the gaps after Inauguration week Airbnb cancellations

The D.C. Department of Human Services is matching people experiencing homelessness to donated Airbnbs, or outright paying for hotel rooms, to help them stay safe during the week of Inauguration.

DMHHS conducts encampment cleanups during COVID-19 surge, advocates help residents move their belongings

DC government conducted a cleanup at the encampments along L and M St. NE on Dec. 8. Advocates helped residents move their belongings and collect trash.

Mutual aid groups help encampment residents gear up for hypothermia season

The People for Fairness Coalition, Ward 6 Mutual Aid and Gonzaga Peace Club distribute essential items to help encampment residents cope during hypothermia season.

Global coronavirus pandemic could help the homeless or hurt them more

COVID-19 presents another challenge for the unhoused community in Washington, D.C. Will local leaders take the right actions to create positive social change after this unprecedented crisis?

The Handled

A piece by artist and vendor Laticia Brock.

Two homeless residents say Dupont Circle neighbors cleared their belongings when they were given an Airbnb for one night

Two homeless residents living in front of the Safeway at 17th and Corcoran streets NW lost all their belongings overnight. They claim it was neighborhood vigilantes.

Franklin Park renovations begin, leaving some homeless residents unsure where to go

The redevelopment of Franklin Park has been planned for years. Due to past starts and stops, some residents thought it was only a rumor. But people were forced to leave on June 30 and a fence is being erected on July 1.