The DCist
had an interesting story last week about DC’s homeless population and the
complaints they have about their accommodations. The old DC General Hospital
building on the eastern edge of Capital Hill is where a large number of DC’s
homeless seek shelter. They complained about spotty hot water, rodents, and the
difficulty getting out of the shelter.
Sorry? The residents complained
that transitioning out of the shelter into permanent housing was the most
challenging thing they faced. Those with jobs said the cost of housing in DC
made it difficult to find a place, which resulted in them living in the shelter
for up to six months.
The shelter opened after DC Village closed in 2007 and has been at
capacity all winter. According to Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) there are
286 families residing there composed of 367 adults and 591 kids. There have been
complaints about how long residents spend in the shelter, which has focused the
attention of many advocates to the difficulty of finding affordable housing in
DC.
The residents of the shelter differ on their views of the conditions of
the shelter ranging from “horrific” to “DC General isn’t the best, but is a
roof over our heads.”
DC’s investment in affordable housing has decreased in the last five
years, which results in limited options for shelter for families. The city accounted
last year that there would be a wait list for public housing this April; a list
that already has 64,000 names on it. Mayor Vincent Gay has promised $100
million to build or re-purpose 10,000 housing units of affordable housing.
However, as the Post noted last week, the sequester could make things worse
immediately with cuts to federal funds for local affordable housing options,
which could make it harder hand out vouchers or turn over places.
Additionally, the lack of affordable housing isn’t the only challenge for
residents trying to leave the shelter, they have to get their kids to school,
but have to pay for the bus or Metro out of pocket (DCPS provides
transportation tokens to homeless students, whose numbers have been on the
rise). If their children can’t/don’t’ go to school, then residents have to look
for jobs and housing either hoping for child care or drag their children with
them. The shelter prohibits leaving the children with family or friends in the
shelter.
Councilmember Graham said he’s like to have funding for the shelter
increase. It costs $13.8 million a year to operate, and the city says it costs
$50,000 annually to shelter a family there. Sounds like it might be cheaper to
rent apartments for these families. Of course the issue of housing and
transitional programs has to be addressed or the families will return to the
shelter. According to the city, about 40% of families who leave the shelter end
up back at DC General.
It is fairly obvious I’m in the more money and affordable housing camp.
However, I’d like some of these affordable housing not to be in Petworth and
Southeast. Color me cynical. Well, fingers crossed Gray doesn’t just ignore the
problem claiming the sequester prevents him from doing anything.
