Street Sense Media

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.

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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!

The founder of Casa Ruby — a former nonprofit resource center and shelter that housed and helped immigrant and LGBTQ youth in D.C. — was sentenced to 33 months in prison in January after she pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

https://streetsensemedia.org/article/ruby-corado-gets-prison-time/

With few drop-in shower options in D.C., a new mobile unit aims to fill the gap - Street Sense Media On Jan. 21, Pathway Homes launched the mobile shower at its first official stop in D.C., Miriam’s Kitchen, a homelessness outreach nonprofit.

Mobile showers have arrived in D.C.! Pathway Homes, a nonprofit that provides housing and homeless services in Northern Virginia and D.C., is trying to improve homeless people's accessibility to showers with a new mobile unit.

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

In our eighth installment of key terms relating to housing, learn about eviction, which can lead to homelessness, and diversion, which can steer some people away from it.

Winter weather update: An extreme cold alert has been issued until 7 a.m., Wednesday morning, with the city's hypothermia shelters set to be open 24/7 through Friday morning. If an emergency occurs or you see someone in need, call 911 or the shelter hotline at (202) 399-7093.

The seventh of our terms to know is Median Family Income, also known as Area Median Income. The MFI in your area sets eligibility and rules for many programs, including housing assistance and affordable housing developments.

The Continuum of Care and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness are federal initiatives aiding in providing housing and resources for people in need. In this installment of our series on terms to know, we'll explain exactly what they do.

In preparation for the upcoming Winter Storm Advisory, The Department of Human Services (DHS) has asked all hypothermia shelters to provide 24/7 care until Tuesday, 1/27 ahead of the upcoming weather, providing relief from the extreme temperatures.

D.C.’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) received an increase in budget, due to extra tax revenue, giving some tenants newfound hope.

Read the full story at https://bit.ly/4a4IkgQ

#SSM #DMVnews #ERAP

D.C's residents feel the effects of diminishing access to health care In July, the city approved a budget that dramatically cut Alliance health care funding, making it harder to access the program.

Access to healthcare is declining for many low-income and immigrant residents in the D.C area due to funding cuts resulting in new eligibility requirements. It's already putting some people's health at risk.

https://bit.ly/4r1nIf9