Street Sense Media

Since the takeover, deportations and ICE presence around D.C., especially near places that provide homeless services, have deepened fear among people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, and disrupted access to outreach services.

https://bit.ly/3OX1P2N

The D.C. Commission on Poverty recently released its plan for how the city could cut poverty in half, with suggestions ranging from bias training to universal income.

https://bit.ly/4u7PlWh

Proof of residency is a key factor in securing any form of identification. But some advocates and people experiencing homelessness say the process to get that proof has only gotten harder in D.C.

https://bit.ly/473XUrd

D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced a lawsuit against a landlord family empire his office says purposefully left properties damaged and tenants homeless.

https://bit.ly/4tZ6wcr

2026 is expected to be a tight budget year for D.C., even without potential changes to the city's tax code.

https://bit.ly/4saGW2t

The D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is investigating the possible hypothermia deaths of four individuals believed to be part of D.C.’s unhoused population.

https://bit.ly/4ucXlFE

Street Sense's fifth paper of the year was released yesterday! Find a local vendor to read about homelessness and ICE, a report on how to end poverty in D.C., and what it's like to leave one of D.C.'s main homelessness programs.

#dmvnews #localpaper

Love has many different meanings for different people. In the most recent edition of Street Sense, Tasha Savoy explores them all.

https://bit.ly/4qXhQ6l

Public housing is a government-funded resource used by millions of residents across the United States. Read our next installment of terms to learn more!

Just two more days to get a copy of this week's issue, featuring an obituary for vendor Laticia Brock, updates on this year's homeless census, and more 📰

In this edition of key terms, our focus is Rapid Rehousing (RRH) and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). Learn more about these two different ways to secure housing and what each program offers.

Youth in D.C experiencing homelessness or housing instability can access emergency shelters and drop-in centers. Here's a list to keep and share with anyone who needs it.

Within D.C., youth homeless resources span from grants providing assistance to stabilization services for those who may be experiencing homelessness. Here's some of the programs that can help youth and families who may be in search of assistance.

Multiple tools are used during the housing process to aid those experiencing homelessness. Read our next installment of terms to learn just what all these acronyms actually do.

“She’s the nicest person anybody can meet."

Remembering Laticia Brock.

https://streetsensemedia.org/article/precious-to-all-community-mourns-the-loss-of-laticia-brock/

Economic conditions and the rising cost of living has caused an increase in people seeking outreach services, according to nonprofit organizations in the D.C. area.

https://streetsensemedia.org/article/nonprofits-say-economy-is-causing-rise-in-homeslessness/

The number of encampments in the city has steadily decreased over the past few years, per city data.

“We’ve transitioned from the notion of maintaining encampments to the point of closing them,” Deputy Mayor Wayne Turnage said at a recent hearing.

https://bit.ly/4tvVQSs

D.C. cancelled the annual outdoor survey of people experiencing homelessness due to the snow, but officials say the city still plans to produce an accurate count of people living outside.

https://streetsensemedia.org/article/d-c-cancels-point-in-time-count-due-to-weather/

The D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA) is essential to providing affordable housing and sustainable communities, but city officials have questions about alleged financial mismanagement after an internal report.

https://streetsensemedia.org/article/dcha-adresses-finances/

#dmvnews #dchousing

Extreme weather can be deadly, whether it's hot or cold. The Extreme Heat Eviction Protection Act will protect tenants during heat waves to prevent people from being outside during extreme weather.

https://bit.ly/4qyZHM0


#dmvnews

Street Sense's fourth paper of the year has been released! Read the paper by finding a local vendor in the DMV.

Up next in our series of terms to know: Case management and transitional housing can be two key steps in securing permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness. Case managers help people access housing or any resources, while transitional housing offers security.

At day centers, people can access resources such as laundry machines, showers, hygiene products and even hot meals. Here are some of the city-funded day centers open for people experiencing homelessness.

#resources #DMV

On Tuesdays, Street Sense vendors gather for our Watercolor Workshop. For many vendors, this workshop offers a sense of relaxation and relief during the winter months.

Have you subscribed to our newsletter?

Subscribing to Street Sense will provide you with:
-News about Homelessness & Housing
-Ways to get involved
-Any Street Sense news

Subscribe today:)

People experiencing homelessness may spend a lot of their time at shelters and day centers. Read our next installment to learn about the different offerings and policies at these two important resources.

When D.C. closes an encampment, it documents the closure. Street Sense reviewed these documents and encampment hotline emails from 2024 to understand why the city focuses on encampments, which areas are targeted, and why people continue to live outside.

https://bit.ly/4qqac4g

With federal funding for this year still up in the air, some programs in the DMV are scrambling to find the money to continue operations and provide housing services through the first few months of 2026.

Read the full story at https://bit.ly/4tkGXT6

At the beginning of January, D.C.’s Deputy Mayor’s Office of Health and Human Services scheduled 25 homeless encampment closures — a sharp increase from recent months.

Most closures were cancelled or rescheduled due to weather.

https://bit.ly/3Oeay04

Encampments are the most visible form of homelessness. But what's the official definition, and how do cities approach them? Read the next installment of our guide on key homelessness terms to learn!