This article is part of our 2019 contribution to the DC Homeless Crisis Reporting Project in collaboration with other local newsrooms. You can see all of our collective work published throughout the day at DCHomelessCrisis.press and join the public Facebook group to discuss how to act on this information and add context to areas we may have overlooked.
The NoMa Business Improvement District wants the city government to move some homeless encampments in order to clear sidewalk space on First Street NE.
The BID said on its website that “conditions are worsening at the encampments in the underpasses and on First Street NE, and that people are worried about their ability to safely traverse these public spaces.”
The BID complains of “bloody hypodermic needles” and “human urine and feces” encountered by passersby.
Street Sense Media vendors have some thoughts on the BID’s open letter, as do several social service organizations.
- Just say no to BIDs
- Stop blaming the homeless
- A simple solution to homeless encampments: End homelessness
