Content categorized as Virginia

Aging out, and into homelessness

I grew up living in Baltimore City. When I was 18, I was independently living until I turned 21 when I aged out of foster… Read more »

Arlington residents say new mental health diversion court program was rushed

While attendees of a public forum on Aug. 15 agreed that a docket on behavioral health could benefit individuals with mental health issues, they said the program should not require participants to plead guilty and requires more public feedback before becoming final.

The region has built a lot of housing – but not enough, and not in the right places

The authors of a new Brookings Institute report break down their findings about where housing has been constructed in the D.C. metro area and how that affects affordability.

Stranger Danger: The Norfolk Experience, Finale

Artist and vendor Jet Flegette shares the final installment of the story of her time with Shelley.

Arlington’s first step toward more affordable housing

The city is moving in the right direction, says freelance writer Sarah Tascone.

Capital Region Housing Challenge looks to raise $1 billion for affordable housing by 2020

The Capital Region Housing Challenge was announced by the Housing Leaders Group of Greater Washington March 20. The challenge aims to encourage $1 billion in commitments to fund affordable housing projects in the D.C. metro area.

25th annual resource fair strives to compensate for the high rate of denials for veterans’ benefits

On Jan. 26, the Washington D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center hosted its 25th Winterhaven Stand Down, a resource event for homeless and at-risk veterans. The day included on-the-spot hiring, legal aid, warm meals and more.

Affordable Housing Advocates prepare for more competitive housing market

The report says there has been an increasingly expensive and competitive housing market in northern Virginia.

Financial abuse is more stealthy and just as sinister as physical violence

Legal, financial and social service experts agree that financial abuse is an integral component of most abusive relationships and can prevent victims from seeking help.

Product of Progression: Life after rapid rehousing is not easy

A Street Sense vendor talks about his struggles after rapid rehousing.

Getting homeless services effectively

A Street Sense artist and vendor shares her ideas on a more effective way to provide services to those experiencing homelessness.

Love, always, for Elizabeth Kitsos-Kang

A memorial for Street Sense Media Artist-in-Residence Elizabeth Kitsos-Kang.

I am the DMV

A poem by a Kimball Elementary School student about her identity as a member of the DMV community

A $1 million donation from Amazon is keeping D.C. families out of homelessness

With the help of a $1 million donation from Amazon, the D.C.-based nonprofit Friendship Place recently launched Family Connect, a privately funded homelessness prevention and diversion program. The 115-day program focuses on getting participants into stable housing and helping them gain employment as quickly as possible.

Discrepancy in City’s Median Income

Funding for housing programs is based on the area median income as determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The District is at a disadvantage because HUD defines the AMI to include all of the D.C. Metro Region, which means more affluent parts of Maryland and  Virginia affect the data.

More than a name:
Demonstrators share their ties to Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day

Emmalyn Sharf told a crowd of activists huddled in a heated tent at Freedom Plaza about the life and death of her friend of more than 10 years, Michael Dunne.

Danica Roem and the politics of bread and butter

Street Sense Media vendor talks about activist Danica Roem and makes critics about the Democratic Party.

Random acts of kindness, Band-Aids

Wendell Williams discusses a moment in his life that meant a lot to him.

Remembering Fred Anderson, a big personality

An obituary for Fred Anderson, one of the first vendors of Street Sense.

The agony and the ecstasy of Wendell Williams

Vendor Wendell Williams shares his personal journey, rising through the ranks in the radio broadcast industry and finding his way to personally overcome addiction and chronic homelessness.