Content categorized as Permanent Supportive Housing

Low-barrier shelter residents say staff abuse them amid ‘terrible’ conditions during COVID-19

More than 100 women experiencing homelessness were cast out of the Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter during a Sept. 22 deep clean of the building. While out on the lawn, some told stories of verbal abuse from staff and guards. They say the rules and conditions are pushing them to their breaking point.

Of DC’s 24 at-large candidates, who has a specific plan to address homelessness?

A Street Sense Media analysis determined that only six of the 24 at-large DC Council candidates on the ballot advertised specific plans with measurable goals to address homelessness in their online platforms. We sent them five questions about local poverty.

DC Council increases funding for affordable housing and homeless services, but advocates warn budget still falls short

The amended budget, which increases funding for building new affordable housing units, providing tenants with rental relief and extending social services, faces a final vote by the Council on July 21, after which it will be submitted to the Mayor.

2-day sit-in across from the Wilson Building protests DC police budget expansion

Members of the racial justice collective Freedom Fighters D.C. began to sit in at the plaza in protest of the mayor’s proposed police budget. Hundred joined them over the course of two days.

Advocates highlight major gaps in proposed budget for affordable housing and reducing homelessness

The Way Home campaign and the Fair Budget Coalition are calling on the D.C. Council to allocate an additional $66 million to build more permanent supportive housing and fund critical homelessness prevention programs.

With 16 beds up and 32 more on the way Hope Has a Home looks to transform medical respite care for DC’s homeless community

Hope Has a Home committed to opening 48 medical respite beds in the District, doubling the city’s capacity for this service. The program was launched by AmeriHealth Caritas D.C. and Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas in partnership with Unity Health Care and Pathways to Housing.

The issue of homelessness and housing in America has been a tinderbox waiting to catch fire for generations. It’s time for change.

Israel Bayer, the director of INSP North America, argues now is the time for widespread action in the housing justice movement.

While DHS works to shelter and quarantine homeless residents, housing referrals have been put on hold

New referrals to the District’s coordinated entry housing program were suspended last month. Service providers say the process should be resumed virtually until the public health situation subsides.

The city’s next 5-year-plan to end homelessness provides more questions than answers

Last week the ICH presented a draft of Homeward D.C. 2.0 in an effort to revitalize the goals of their initial plan, Homeward D.C., and fix shortcomings discovered during its implementation over the past four years. During the meeting, multiple D.C. residents, many of whom were formerly homeless, expressed their concerns with the city’s ability to fulfill the plan’s ambitious goals. Along with the general vagueness of the document itself, residents took issue with the lack of transparency regarding policy meetings and the little progress being made for universally affordable housing.

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.

77 formerly homeless veterans will be the first residents of The Parks at Walter Reed, followed by 134 low-income seniors

Abrams Hall is the first completed part of the Walter Reed Medical campus redevelopment in Northwest D.C.

DC government and Greater Washington Community Foundation align to end homelessness

The Bowser Administration collaborates with the private sector in a new initiative to combat homelessness.

Residents in Ward 3 seek to understand homeless services

“We can be the government that ends homelessness,” said one councilmember.

Homeless advocates claim $35.5 million in FY2020 budget could end chronic homelessness in DC

Advocates from The Way Home Campaign demonstrated for an additional $35.5 million in the FY2020 budget just before Mayor Bowser announces her preliminary budget at the State of the District Event.

Days before Christmas, activists pressure DC councilmembers to protect their most vulnerable constituents

Approximately 15 representatives from the People For Fairness Coalition canvassed the Wilson Building on Dec. 21, seeking more funding and stronger legal protections to address… Read more »

Subsidies are important to afford housing

Reginald Black explains how important housing subsidies are for the homeless.

All DC’s 8 wards must focus on housing

Vendor Reginald Black calls for a comprehensive, city-wide approach to replacing D.C. General with local family shelters.

A candidate’s plan to end homelessness

James Butler, who is running for mayor of D.C., outlines his plan to end homeless in the District using a three-part process that focuses on community engagement, replacing D.C. General, and redistribution of tax money.

Pilot program houses D.C. residents while they find work

After one month, a new Transitional Housing Program that works with employment services has been a success, according to residents and city officials. The program houses seven individuals and is helping them find permanent employment and housing.

Mayors and CEOs call for federal investment in housing

Mayors around the U.S., including D.C.’s Muriel Bowser launched a coalition between public and private leaders to call on the federal government to invest more in affordable housing.