Ward 6 | Street Sense Media

Three protestors holding cardboard signs that say "10,000 vacant units in DC", "300+ people homeless in DC tested positive for COVID", "People Power Action", "Black Homeless ("home" bolded) matter; 90% of homeless people in Washington DC are Black", and "20 people homeless in DC died from COVID."

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?

A visualization of the weather for the week of November 1-7, 2020, highlighting a low of 39 degrees at 12 am on Monday, Nov. 2.

Harriet Tubman residents say the shelter is still cold as hypothermia season begins

As hypothermia season activates in D.C., shelter residents say it’s as cold inside as it is outside.

Caroline Kennedy, Althea Thompson, Lajuan Baylor and other Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter residents wait out on the lawn on Sept. 22, 2020. They left the building with all of their belongings packed into black garbage bags.

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.

Homeless people were left out of the conversation about homelessness in NoMa

Reginald Black voices his concerns about people living unsheltered in the NoMa neighborhood.

At-risk youth hold peaceful demonstration in support of Black and brown lives

At least 100 formerly homeless youth took to the streets of Eastern Market on June 16 for a demonstration in support of their peers and the Black Lives Matter movement. They were all members of Sasha Bruce Youthwork, which houses approximately 150 runaway and homeless youth and provides counseling, education, and life- skill services.

Beats – Episodes 1 and 2

The first two episodes of “Beats” a web series by Street Sense Media and The Homeless Filmmakers’ Co-op.

A tall black teenager holds blankets wrapped in plastic and wears a blue coat. A shorter black girl stands next to him holding water bottles. A black man in a black jacket stands next to her also holding water bottles. All are smiling and are standing on a street corner.

Seeing more people on DC streets, this native Washingtonian organized a community outreach event

Hands Up Outreach Ministry, a faith-based community organization handed out blankets, water, socks, and other supplies to residents of the NoMa homeless encampment during Black History Month.

Photo of a man in a red hat bending over to examine the burned and now soaking wet remnants of his belongings.

A fire displaced 4 people from a homeless encampment last week. Residents believe it was intentional.

Several people living at an encampment in the NoMa neighborhood lost everything in an April 8 fire. They’ve been working to pick up the pieces with community support.

Photo of several stacks of boxes on an empty floor and on top of a cabinet.

This woman is leading a charge to aid King Greenleaf residents

In less than a week, Taylar Nuevelle has organized significant mutual aid for women residing at the emergency shelter within King Greenleaf Recreation Center.

The Aya in Ward 6 is the latest DC General replacement shelter to open

As part of the District of Columbia’s strategic plan to reduce homelessness, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for The Aya in Ward 6 on Feb. 21. It is the fifth of seven short-term family housing facilities.

Anthony Denico Williams, aspiring group home director, killed at 20

Anthony Williams died, on Jan. 26 in an altercation over a sale of K2. He aspired to open a group home for homeless adults and youth. His family and friends memorialized him at The House of Praise on Feb. 13.

A man in a wheelchair lifts up the edge of a tent in an underpass.

“One size doesn’t fit all”: The complications of fundraising for NoMa encampments

As encampment residents in the NoMa neighborhood were forced to move from an underpass on K Street in January, one group’s fundraiser illustrates the challenges that come with outreach to a community with varying needs and priorities.

Photo of two men experiencing homeless who are moving their belongings in a shopping cart and a wheelchair.

New community responses bring hope to people experiencing homelessness in DC, but more permanent housing is needed

As the homelessness crisis rages on, more resources are needed to provide daily outreach and affordable, permanent housing.

A front loader follows behind city workers and a Department of Public Works truck as they sweep the sidewalk and throw items left in the K Street underpass.

The K Street Eviction: Lessons in power and a call to action

Street Sense Media’s executive director, Brian Carome, writes about Mayor Bowser’s decision to uphold the eviction of residents of the K Street NoMa encampment.

Homeless residents under a bridge in NoMa stand next to their tents and belongings before the clean up process begins. A sign advertising the clean-up process hangs on a light post nearby.

Tents banned from NoMa underpass after a final clean-up

Residents of the K St underpass in NoMa prepared to permanently move their tents and belonging. The clear out was in response to complaints by NoMa residents and the NoMa Business Improvement District.

A photo of city workers and homeless residents at an encampment cleanup in D.C.

Community meeting aims to prepare K Street encampment residents for eviction

The clearing of people and their possessions from the K Street underpass between First and 2nd streets NE will take place on Thursday, Jan. 16 regardless of weather conditions, according to Jessica Smith, a policy analyst for the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services.

A photo of 6 black men. Four of the men sit down in a church pew with the other two men standing behind them. All wear sweaters with collared shirts and ties.

Men experiencing homelessness lead community in 100-year-old Jesuit tradition

The McKenna Singers, a group of men experiencing homelessness, led the community in holiday songs and celebration.

A black man in a white shirt and blue tie sits in front of two posters. One depicts half dome in Yosemite and the other depicts a waterfall.

DC attorney general focusing more on environmental issues

D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine participated in an event with The Sierra Club to tout his offices work with the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and lead hazard enforcement.

A graphic depicting a person in a bed with a roof over their head.

Death of 2 presumed homeless men attributed to cold temperatures

According to NBC 4, two men, identified as homeless were found in downtown D.C. on Nov. 13, leaving officials speculating if the frigid temperatures, which was in the 20s, was to blame.

Volunteers sign up to observe encampment cleanups

The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless has been recruiting volunteers to observe homeless encampment cleanups, and advocate on behalf of homeless individuals who live in the encampments located throughout the city and may not know their rights. The presence of an advocate or official observer at these city-led “cleanups” can help to ensure that homeless occupants are treated with respect and adhere to the city’s protocol.

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