“What am I going to do?”
D.C. starts rolling back services for migrants pgs. 8-9
Scan QR Code to download the app and pay your vendor!
OUR STORY
EDITORIAL NEWSROOM
StreetSenseMedia’s award-winning newsroomreports on homelessness and poverty in the WashingtonD.C.region.Fromcovering overlookedstoriesaboutencampments and voucher programs to helping vendors produce their own news, opinion, and art pieces, we deliver community journalism, right to you.
Street Sense Media is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news outlet. Decisions on newscoveragebeginand end within our editorial department. Neither our board of directors, our CEO, our funders and advertisers, nor our partnernewsroomshold sway over our coverage. We maintain a firewall betweennewsdecisions, opinioncuration,sources of all revenue, and any advocacy engaged in by non-journalism staff membersorcontractors.
THE TEAM
VENDORS
Abel Putu, Aida Peery, Al Edmonson, Akindele Akerejah, Amia Walker, Andre Brinson, Andrew Anderson, Angie Whitehurst, Anthony Carney, Beverly Sutton, Brianna Butler, Cameé Lee, Carlos Carolina, Charles Armstrong, Charles Woods, Chon Gotti, Chris Cole, Clinton Kilpatrick, Conrad Cheek, Corey Sanders, Daniel Ball,
Darlesha Joyner, David Snyder, Debora Brantley, Degnon “Gigi” Dovonou, Denise Hall, Dominique Anthony, Don Gardner, Donté Turner, Doris Robinson, Earl Parker, Eric Thompson-Bey, Erica Downing, Evelyn Nnam, Faith Winkler, Floyd Carter, Frederic John, Frederick Walker, Freedom, Gerald Anderson, Gracias Garcias, Greta Christian, Harriet Fields, Henrieese Roberts,
Henry Johnson, Invisible Prophet, Ivory Wilson, Jacqueline “Jackie” Turner, James Davis, James Hughes, Jeanette Richardson, Jeff Taylor, Jeffery McNeil, Jeffrey Carter, Jemel Fleming, Jenkins Dalton, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jermale McKnight, Jet Flegette, Jewel Lewis, John Littlejohn, Josie Brown, Juliene Kengnie, Kenneth Middleton, Kym Parker, Laticia Brock,
Lawrence Autry, Levester Green, L. Morrow, Marc Grier, Marcus McCall, Martin Walker, Mary Sellman, Maurice Carter, Maurice Spears, Melody Byrd, Micheal Pennycook, Michael Warner, Micheal Warren Stevens, Morgan Jones, Nathanial Piscitelli, Nikila Smith, Patricia Donaldson, Patty Smith, Peaceful Tobias, Phillip Black, Queenie Featherstone, Rachelle
Ellison, Rashawn Bowser, Reginald Black, Reginald, Denny, Ricardo Meriedy, Richard “Mooney” Hart, Rita Sauls, Robert Vaughn, Robert Warren, Rochelle Walker, Ron Dudley, S. Smith, Sasha Williams, Saul Presa, Shuhratjon Ahmadjonov, Sybil Taylor, Tasha Savoy, Tony Bond, Tonya Williams, Vennie Hill, Wanda Alexander, Wendell Williams
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ashley McMaster, Blake Androff, Clare Krupin, Corrine Yu, Jonquilyn Hill, Matt Perra, Michael Vaughan Cherubin, Michael Phillips, Nana-Sentuo Bonsu, Shari Wilson, Stanley Keeve
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER
Brian Carome
The Cover
COVER ART AND DESIGN BY LEELA WAEHRER
NEWS IN BRIEF
NAEH conference is back in D.C. as fight to end homelessness intensifies
DONTE KIRBY Deputy Editor
In the backdrop of the Supreme Court decision that gives states free rein to criminalize homelessness, the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) held its annual conference and reasserted its stance to organize and build more coalitions in the fight to end homelessness.
The conference was back to its pre-COVID numbers as over 2,200 advocates, homeless service providers, officials, and people with lived experiences of homelessness gathered from across the nation in D.C. from July 8-10, according to the numbers Ann Oliva, CEO of NAEH, noted in her opening speech on day one. Oliva also announced the organization’s new strategic priorities of lived experience and equity; organizational culture and capacity; policy, practice, and research; and community and movement building.
Minnesota Senator Tina Smith announced her new legislation called the Housing for All Veterans Act, which would provide housing vouchers to all low-income veteran households and exclude veteran disability benefits from income eligibility calculations. The bill also would seek to make sure the availability of these vouchers would not be limited by annual discretionary funding levels.
“Housing for low-income veterans shouldn’t be determined by the whims of the federal appropriations process,” Smith said during the closing speeches of the conference on July 10. “It should be a promise fulfilled for every veteran, to bring them home.”
At least 35,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in 2023, 6.6% of the total population experiencing homelessness, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s annual Point-in-Time Count.
Smith said everyone deserves housing, but her legislation prioritizes housing for veterans because of what the country owes to those who served in the military.
“Housing is a human right in this country and everybody deserves a safe, dignified, decent space to stay,” Smith said as she closed her speech.
As the annual conference closed, hundreds of attendees participated in NAEH’s Capitol Hill Day, during which they met with 220 representatives and senators and demanded they support more funding for homeless services programs and oppose legislation that criminalizes homelessness.
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Darick Brown
DIRECTOR OF VENDOR EMPLOYMENT
Thomas Ratliff
VENDOR
Aida Peery, Chon
Gotti, Nikila Smith VENDOR PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS
Ann Herzog, Beverly Brown, Madeleine McCollough, Roberta Haber
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Annemarie Cuccia
DEPUTY EDITOR Donte Kirby
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Fiona Riley, Franziska Wild, Samantha Monteiro
GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN
Leela Waehrer
HIGH SCHOOL INTERN
Hannah Brooker
ARTISTS-INRESIDENCE
Bonnie Naradzay (Poetry), David Serota (Illustration), Leslie Jacobson (Theater), Roy Barber (Theater), Rachel Dungan
(Podcast), Willie Schatz (Writing)
EDITORIAL VOLUNTEERS
Abigail Chang, Aiesha Clark, Alison Henry, Andrew Chow, Annabella Hoge, Anne Eigeman, August Dichter, Benjamin Litoff, Candace Montague,
EVENTS AT SSM
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2-for-1 on the second Friday is back! Newspapers will be on sale to vendors for $.25 a piece for the last three business days of each issue.
Sell copies of the Street Sense Media Photography Book with your papers! You pay $5 wholesale, you sell them for $20.
Find a list of vendor announcements and other useful information just for you at streetsensemedia.org/ vendor-info.
BIRTHDAYS
Amia Walker July 17
ARTIST/VENDOR
Michael Warner July 18
ARTIST/VENDOR
Robert Vaughn July 26
ARTIST/VENDOR
VENDOR CODE OF CONDUCT
Read this democratically elected code of conduct, by vendors, for vendors!
1. IwillsupportStreetSenseMedia’smissionstatement and in so doing will work to support the Street Sense Media community and uphold its values of honesty, respect, support, and opportunity.
2. I will treat all others, including customers, staff, volunteers, and fellow vendors, respectfully at all times.Iwillrefrainfromthreateningothers,pressuring customers into making donations, or engaging in behavior that condones racism, sexism, classism, or other prejudices.
3. I understand that I am not an employee of Street Sense Media but an independent contractor.
4. WhiledistributingtheStreetSensenewspaper,Iwillnot ask for more than $3 per issue or solicit donations by any other means.
5. I will only purchase the newspaper from Street Sense Media staff and volunteers and will not distribute newspapers to other vendors.
Cari Shane, Chelsea Cirruzzo, Dan Goff, Elise Zaidi, Grier Hall, Jack Walker, J.M. Ascienzo, Josh Axelrod, Kate Molloy, Kathryn Owens, Lizzy Rager, Matt Gannon, Micah Leve, Nina Raj, Ryan Bacic,Taylor Nichols, Zach Montellaro
6. I will not distribute copies of“Street Sense”on metro trains and buses or on private property.
7. IwillabidebytheStreetSenseMediaVendorTerritory Policyatalltimesandwillresolveanyrelateddisputes with other vendors in a professional manner.
8. I will not sell additional goods or products while distributing “Street Sense.”
9. Iwillnotdistribute“StreetSense”undertheinfluence of drugs or alcohol.
10. I understand that my badge and vest are property of Street Sense Media and will not deface them. I will present my badge when purchasing“Street Sense” and will always display my badge when distributing “Street Sense.”
Ann Oliva, chief operating officer of the National Alliance to End Homelessness delivering opening remarks beside ASL interpreter. Photo by Donte Kirby
DCHA board votes to prioritize 1,300 families exiting Rapid Rehousing for vouchers, putting them ahead of thousands on the waitlist
The D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA) Stabilization and Reform Board voted during its July 10 meeting to prioritize 1,300 families exiting the Rapid Rehousing (RRH) program for federal housing vouchers. Detractors worry the move will delay housing even further for the 40,000 people currently on the city’s voucher waitlist, some of whom have been waiting for decades.
The board voted 6 to 2 in favor of a resolution that makes the 2,200 families exiting this year from RRH, a short-term subsidy program that pays a portion of a family or individual’s rent for a market-rate apartment over a year, first in line for the available federal Housing Choice Vouchers. In May, the D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) began sending pre-exit letters announcing that due to the RRH program exhausting all funds for extensions, families who have been depending on the subsidy for over 12 months will be removed from the program.
Throughout the District’s budget process, housing advocates raised concerns DHS was leaving the families exiting RRH with few options other than the streets or a shelter. Advocates asked the D.C. Council and Mayor Murial Bowser’s administration to prevent the impending crisis in some way.
Neither Bowser nor the council could find a solution in the budget for all families, though the council passed emergency legislation to allow another six-month extension of the housing subsidy (DHS says there are no funds for the extension) and added over 600 vouchers for families exiting the program. That wasn’t nearly enough, however,
for all 2,200 families, so it’s fallen to the housing authority to become a safety net where others have failed.
“This is a bailout of failed policy,” Rebecca Lindhurst, managing attorney at Bread for the City, a nonprofit providing food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services to low-income D.C. residents, said at the hearing during her testimony. “I think we are sweeping in to save DHS from something that looks really bad politically.”
Ronnie Harris, a former voucher holder who fills the voucher recipient commissioner seat on the DCHA board, and D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness Director Theresa Silla were the only two members on the eleven-person board who voted against the measure. Three members were not at the meeting, according to the roll call, and did not vote. The commissioners and housing advocates against the resolution said those exiting RRH should be able to move into stable housing, but felt it was unfair for those who have been waiting for a voucher since the mid-2000s to have another 1,300 households jump ahead of them.
“I feel that it is absolutely critical that the primary focus of DCHA needs to be on shoring up all of the services it’s currently providing, because it is failing people that are currently experiencing homelessness,” Silla said at the meeting. She added DCHA should be prioritizing people on the waitlist who are experiencing homelessness and in shelters for any available vouchers.
“Being a former long-term voucher holder I cannot in good faith vote yes for this,” Harris said. “If I was still waiting on that waiting list I know how I would feel and I know there would be letters flying off everywhere that wouldn’t do anything.”
The members who voted yes said they feel like they’re between a rock and a hard place, choosing between pushing people who have been waiting for years further back in line, or risking those exiting RRH eventually becoming homeless.
“I don’t like agreeing to this resolution but I’m going to agree to support this resolution because the alternative feels unacceptable,” Commissioner Christopher Murphy said.
DCHA, for its part, argues it’s been making progress on the waitlist and can house the people on the waitlist and those exiting RRH simultaneously, a claim commissioners both in favor of and opposed to the resolution said was unlikely. DCHA has pulled 19,000 people from the current waiting list, Amy Glassman, DCHA’s general counsel, said at the hearing.
“So we have 19,000 folks who are presently in some stage of potentially getting a voucher,” Glassman said. “They’re either in an eligibility review, they have a voucher and are looking for a unit, or hopefully getting ready to respond to the notification that they were pulled from the waitlist.”
There’s some dispute over what being “pulled” means, but DCHA has contacted 19,554 people on the waitlist, and they are in some stage in the process of getting a voucher. Another 18,000 people on the waitlist have yet to be contacted. According to DCHA oversight documents from February, 40,570 people are on the voucher waitlist. DCHA modeled how this prioritization of RRH will affect those still on the waitlist, and staff said early projections predict the agency will begin addressing people on the waitlist again in early 2025.
“These are really difficult decisions and hard choices,” Raymond Skinner, chair of the DCHA board said. “I guess that’s why we get paid the big bucks.”
DONTE KIRBY Deputy Editor
The D.C. Housing Authority’s old headquarters. Photo by Will Schick
Tenants say landlords don’t play by the rules. Here’s how advocates want D.C. to make them
FIONA RILEY Editorial Intern
Joy Coles calls the apartment building she and her four kids have lived in since January a “free-for-all.”
“There’s no security, no maintenance man, no landlord,” she said.
Coles moved into the mold, rodent, and fly-infested two-bedroom unit in Northeast D.C. in the midst of management turnover, she said. When her refrigerator broke on day one, the maintenance worker who came to repair it said the unit seemed uninhabitable. When her washing machine began leaking weeks later, the maintenance worker said he couldn’t help because he quit in February, after the landlord sold the building.
“I had to continue to use the washing machine, so I was able to mop up the water leaking out and put towels down, but mold started to build up,” Coles said.
Coles said tenants didn’t hear from the new landlord until late June, when he announced plans to repair units floor by floor. In his five-month absence, mold continued to grow in Coles’ unit and her four young children developed coughs, hives, and rashes from crawling around damp floorboards. Squatters also moved into the building and even more rodents and flies invaded, she said.
Coles’ building is one of many in the District with documented proof from tenants of poor living conditions and landlords violating the D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights — a document that outlines requirements for property owners to maintain units by ensuring there is heat, lighting, ventilation, and no pests. It also mandates landlords inspect for mold within seven days of receiving notice from a tenant and clear it within 30 days.
Tenants can report issues in their unit to the Department of Buildings (DOB) (formerly the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs), which can inspect properties and require property owners to make certain repairs if conditions violate the Tenant Bill of Rights. But many tenants say DOB does not come to inspect their properties soon after they report issues. Yet even when DOB does, landlords can ignore or refute DOB’s request for repairs, forcing tenants to enter Landlord-Tenant Court. To make the process easier for tenants, tenant advocates are seeking D.C. Council support for proposed legislation called The Heart Act, which would enable DOB to fix tenants’ issues quickly and transfer the legal and financial burden to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
Rhonda Hamilton — founder and executive director of M.I. Mother’s Keeper, a local nonprofit improving families’ access to mental health services — has spent the last four years helping residents report uninhabitable living situations to the DOB and testify in Landlord-Tenant Court against landlords who repeatedly violate the Tenant Bill of Rights.
Hamilton is currently advocating on behalf of tenants living in eight properties across D.C., requesting DOB conduct “whole property” inspections of the buildings. Residents have reported between four and 16 violations of the Tenant Bill of Rights at each location, including rodent infestations, mold, water leaks, peeling paint, and insufficient or no security. Other violations include broken A/C units and door locks, squatters, and inoperable garages, front entrances, and washing machines. Hamilton is also assisting tenants at additional properties, including Coles’.
“The calls kept coming in,” Hamilton said. “We kept complaining that there wasn’t proper oversight to make certain
that tenants who had ceilings falling in, mushrooms growing in their ceilings, wood floors crumbling, were taken care of.”
When violations aren’t fixed, moving to another apartment isn’t always an option for tenants, especially if they receive federal aid or subsidized housing. Coles, for instance, is searching for another place to live, but receives rent assistance from a domestic violence program. She said she is struggling to find another building that is in her budget and accepts vouchers. Even if she did, her case manager would need to approve the new unit, which she said could take months.
The residents’ other option is to take legal action in the form of a Landlord-Tenant Court case. Hamilton said if landlords refuse to make the repairs requested by DOB, the next step is for residents to go back and forth to court. Tenants typically have to take off work to debate repairs before landlords are held accountable for addressing conditions like asbestos and mold. Landlords often solicit sophisticated legal representation and the process can take years, which Hamilton said causes heightened anxiety, depression, and stress for residents as they continue living in unhealthy conditions.
“It just doesn’t make sense because if you’re already living months on end with mold and you show up to court and then they recess the court, you go back home and are still dealing with the same issues,” Hamilton said.
But it doesn’t have to be this way, Hamilton said. The Heart Act proposes creating the Housing and Repair Trust Fund — supported by fines on landlords who violate the Tenant Bill of Rights and a $0.10 rental amount excise tax per rental unit for all registered landlords — and an accompanying task force to review tenants’ complaints and allocate funds needed for repairs. The bill for these repairs would then be turned over to the OAG to enforce payment against the building’s ownership.
The act would amend the Tenant Bill of Rights to include the fund, task force, and excise tax, also called the Housing Equity Advance Repair Tax (HEART Tax). The amendment would also mandate asbestos and suspected hazardous substances be treated the same as mold, meaning landlords would be required to inspect reports within seven days and remedy them within 30 days.
“This way we have tenants that are living in repaired properties and no longer exposed to health conditions, and the legal issue is left to the legal arm of the oversight, which is the OAG,” Hamilton said.
The task force would consist of one tenant living in housing communities from each of the eight wards, selected via a lottery system, as well as one representative from the DOB and one member from each of the following groups: the D.C. Council’s Housing Committee, the Office of the Tenant Advocate, D.C’s nonprofit advocacy community, D.C’s landlord community, and D.C.’s legal housing community. The task force would select an additional member of D.C.’s private housing community via a lottery system to serve as chairperson.
Tenants who contact the task force would need to provide proof they reported their issues to DOB and the building’s management as well as photographs and court documentation. The task force would then assess the violations and vote to fix the issues using the fund.
In addition to the $0.10 excise tax per unit, the proposed legislation states owners who are in court for repeated DOB housing code violations would face additional fines that would feed the trust fund. Landlords with over 100 outstanding
violations would be placed on a “slumlord notifications list” that would be displayed publicly on DOB’s website and updated quarterly, according to the proposed legislation. Any landlords who are on the list and receive subsidized rent support from the District or the federal government would have that money redirected by the OAG, and those who remain on the list for more than two quarters would be fined an additional $0.10 excise tax biannually per violated unit.
“What we believe is if we hit them in their pocketbooks harder, then the behavior won’t be so repetitive,” Hamilton said. “It’s obvious to us that the existing enforcements are not strong enough to deter these landlords from leaving these property conditions the way that they are.”
Perry Redd, the executive director of Sincere Seven, a group that advocates for fair wages for working-class Americans, helped develop The Heart Act alongside Hamilton. Redd said the next step is to recruit co-sponsors on the council and attract the support of tenants and community members. At-large Councilmember Robert White, who chairs the Housing Committee has not yet told Hamilton if he plans to introduce the bill to the council, though Hamilton said she has discussed it with him and shared the proposed legislation with his office. A council member must introduce the act before it can begin the long process to become a law.
Redd said Heart Act supporters are launching a public education campaign and will work with apartment complexes’ tenant associations and residents to doorknock and conduct outreach in communities adjacent to buildings where residents have reported violations.
“We’ll be educating the tenants to advocate for their dignity,” Redd said.
On Labor Day, supporters of The Heart Act will rally outside of the Wilson Building at 11 a.m. to call out properties whose owners are in violation of the Tenant Bill of Rights and garner support for the act.
In 2020, many buildings in D.C. went on rent strike due to poor conditions, including Meridian Heights Apartments in Columbia Heights. Photo by Ben Gutman
D.C. landlord group’s report says affordable housing is in ‘crisis’ after the pandemic
SAMANTHA MONTEIRO Editorial Intern
Arecent report published by the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington (AOBA), which represents real estate developers and property owners in D.C., says the affordable housing market is facing a “looming crisis” as mounting financial pressure on providers may force them to sell off their properties, or even risk bankruptcy.
In a press conference on June 10, representatives from AOBA discussed the report’s findings and the challenges they say are placing a burden on owners of affordable rental properties. The AOBA report focuses on affordable housing properties subsidized by the District as well as privately owned units considered market-rate or rent-controlled affordable homes for low- and middle-income renters.
“We may be facing a catastrophic failure of our rental housing providers catering to that critical market segment,” Brian Gordon, senior vice president of government affairs for AOBA, said at the press conference.
AOBA says policies enacted during the pandemic, like eviction moratoria and trial stays, which allow tenants to delay an upcoming eviction proceeding if they have a pending Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) application, have allowed renters to go extended periods of time without paying their rents. Because of this, renters are racking up longterm debts that are putting a financial strain on both tenants and owners of affordable housing units. Combined with increased operating costs for expenses like gas and electricity, the report says this burden is now placing landlords of affordable homes “on the verge of financial insolvency,” or bankruptcy.
“They’re being squeezed on both ends of the balance sheet,” said Gordon.
AOBA collected data on total rent delinquencies across five member corporations that own more than 13,000 affordable housing units across D.C. The corporations reported having lost over $12 million in rental delinquencies thus far in 2024. AOBA wrote in the report these debts might push affordable housing providers to take out new loans with worse terms to pay off the mortgages on their units or “shut down operations” entirely.
When asked during the press conference, Gordon said he was “not aware” if any AOBA members had yet filed for bankruptcy.
The report also focuses on a law that enables tenants to stay, or hold off, an upcoming eviction case if they have a pending ERAP application when they receive the eviction notice. The Tenant Safe Harbor Temporary Amendment Act, passed in October 2021, was meant to protect tenants from evictions during the pandemic as they waited for essential funds that would allow them to pay their rent.
AOBA claims these ERAP stays have delayed the court timelines for eviction proceedings, which the report says are the main cause of the long periods landlords go without collecting rent payments from tenants.
“Policies that we saw that were well intended and even practical during the early stages of the pandemic to protect against a mass wave of resident displacement in the midst of
a global public health emergency are now producing harmful outcomes under today’s very different circumstances,” said Gordon. “The result is an accumulation of debt that can’t reasonably be redeemed.”
Molly Catchen, supervising attorney in the Housing Law Unit at Legal Aid DC, says ERAP stays are meant to determine if tenants will have an opportunity to pay their rent before they enter legal proceedings for an eviction.
“Non-payment of rent cases in D.C. are redeemable, meaning if the tenant pays the full balance of what’s owed, the case is resolved. Essentially, the ERAP stay allows for an opportunity to see if the money is going to get paid before the parties engage in litigation,” said Catchen.
Because timelines for ERAP applications can vary, Catchen added that these stays are important measures for keeping tenants in their homes. In 2024 thus far, 12,000 people have applied for ERAP, and just over 3,000 households were granted rental assistance, according to NBC 4. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and in some cases there have been delays because DHS has misplaced applicants’ documents or not processed them quickly enough for them to receive their benefits.
“Once the tenant applies for ERAP, the processing times and when the funds get paid out are entirely outside of the tenant’s control,” Catchen said. “If the stay wasn’t in place, it’s entirely possible for a tenant to be evicted before their application is processed.”
According to the AOBA report, “housing providers have seen savvy tenants exploit this loophole, filing application after application to remain in a unit without paying rent,” but the report does not include any evidence of the number of times this has happened to the property owners surveyed. Catchen says most tenants use ERAP stays as a means to remain in their homes.
“In our experience [at Legal Aid], the majority of the tenants we’re seeing are using the system in good faith. The ERAP payment is often able to resolve the case and prevent families from becoming homeless,” said Catchen.
The AOBA report also says court timelines can become lengthy when tenants decide to pursue jury trials for their nonpayment of rent cases, which Catchen said is a route people choose when their other tenants’ rights are being violated, such as when landlords are not complying with housing codes.
“Many of the cases we see, tenants are being sued for nonpayment of rent, but they’re living in these deplorable conditions where the housing provider is not in compliance with the housing code, and they’re asserting those housing code violations,” Catchen said. “The tenants are entitled to — and should be asserting — all of their rights that are available under D.C. law, and so that litigation in those instances can take some time.”
AOBA suggests several solutions to the problems described in the report, namely, that the District eliminate the “loophole” of automatic ERAP stays and instead allow judges to decide whether to stay a case after reviewing a tenant’s circumstances. The paper also recommends the District loosen certain regulations such as Building Energy Performance Standards, which AOBA says are costly for older rent-controlled properties to implement.
Catchen says solutions should focus on making sure residents are able to afford their rent and can avoid being removed from their homes, and tenants are aware of the rights they have to remain in their units.
“The overall goal here should be preventing evictions and keeping families housed,” Catchen said. “We need to focus on making D.C. an affordable city for families to live in and ensuring that tenants have access to the information they need to assert their rights in court.”
Encampment Updates: Residents and outreach workers frustrated by clean-ups in Foggy Bottom
FRANZISKA WILD Editorial Intern
Editor’s Note: This is an installment of a biweekly column “Encampment Updates.” In each edition, a Street Sense journalist will write about past and upcoming encampment clearings and closures in D.C. The government’s policies and schedule can be found at: dmhhs.dc.gov/page/encampments.
C.’s Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services (DMHHS) conducted what the city terms a “full clean-up” and a “trash removal” at two encampments in Foggy Bottom in early July.
A third “full clean-up” at an encampment on Maryland Avenue near the Arboretum was scheduled for July 11, but later canceled. At this site, the Department of Public Works (DPW) conducted an emergency engagement removing “all bulk trash and hazardous items that were outside of the vehicles on public space” ahead of the scheduled clean-up, removing the need for another engagement, according to a DMHHS spokesperson.
DMHHS also conducted an “immediate disposition,” when the city provides residents between 24 hours and six days notice before closing an encampment, at Alaska Avenue and 16th Street on July 15.
During the first “full clean-up”, along E Street Expressway on July 2, residents had to move all of their belongings for the duration of the clean-up but were allowed to return once it was finished. DMHHS conducted the clean-up to “remove all identified abandoned tents and structures, bulk trash items and biohazards,” according to a DMHHS spokesperson.
A DMHHS spokesperson also noted a cut crew from DPW was initially scheduled to do grounds maintenance, but DPW “requested to reschedule their maintenance efforts for a later date” and “these efforts will be rescheduled accordingly with appropriate notice provided to the residents” according to the spokesperson.
One resident, who requested to stay anonymous to protect his privacy while living outside, was frustrated he had to move his belongings, including a tent, multiple bags, and a mattress,
across the expressway exit ramp. The resident and three outreach workers spent nearly three hours moving his stuff back and forth across the ramp before and after the clearing.
Residents still had to move their belongings, even without the cut crew, because the clearing involved heavy machinery, according to DMHHS. DMHHS used a compact track loader, which resembles a bulldozer, to remove a set of abandoned tents and other items from the encampment, including a trash bin and pile of trash bags.“Residents were requested to temporarily relocate in a safe manner until the completion of the engagement,” according to the DMHHS spokesperson.
“I think it’s all bullshit,” the resident said. “The city — they follow homeless people around to make sure they’re not nuisances. Some people are creating a nuisance, but some people who have their stuff in public are not.”
Three other encampment residents moved their belongings across the exit ramp before the clean-up started, according to outreach workers from Miriam’s Kitchen. Street Sense was not able to reach these residents for comment.
The resident who spoke with Street Sense felt there should be greater protections for people living in encampments. “I think there should be more stringent rights for homeless people,” he said.
Outreach workers from Miriam’s Kitchen echoed these concerns and explained they felt the engagement could have been conducted without making residents relocate, especially since the DPW cut crew canceled their maintenance.
A week later, on July 9, a second encampment engagement at Whitehurst Hill was downgraded from a “full clean-up” to a “bulk trash removal.” At this engagement, DMHHS removed trash and a DPW crew mowed the grass.
According to a DMHHS spokesperson, the “full clean-up” was downgraded because “residents agreed to clean their areas and remove their items to the appropriate pickup spot” which allowed DPW to cut the grass in the area.
Five days before — on July Fourth — a team of three outreach workers from Miriam’s Kitchen, including Abigail Morris, took a push lawn mower and a pair of handheld clippers out to Whitehurst Hill at 7 a.m. to mow the grass and cut weeds around resident’s tents.
“We were doing anything we could think of to keep our clients from having to move literally everything,” Morris said. Street Sense could not confirm if the maintenance undertaken by Miriam’s Kitchen impacted the decision to downgrade the clean-up.
Whitehurst Hill hosts a larger encampment with 12 tents and over a dozen people staying there. At least two residents are over 60 and a few are in their late 50s — meaning temporarily relocating everyone could be a challenging and traumatic process that would also strain outreach workers.
“We do not have the manpower, it took nearly 20 staff hours to move three people at E Street,” Morris said. “And a lot of the clients at Whitehurst Hill have more trauma from past encampment clearings. It’s a much higher stress environment.”
Many of the residents at Whitehurst Hill were displaced in the recent Foggy Bottom closures, and many were evicted from McPherson Square before that.
Morris and two other staff mowed the grass and clipped weeds until around 1 p.m. on July Fourth. Afterwards, they enjoyed pizza and popsicles with the encampment residents. Residents helped assemble their trash, whack weeds, and one — who grew up on a farm — helped adjust the push lawn mower to the correct setting for the waist-high grass.
Luis, who asked to only be identified by his first name to protect his privacy while living outside, told Street Sense he was surprised but glad to see Miriam’s Kitchen out at the encampment on the Fourth of July. He expressed how difficult it would have been to move, especially with the heat — the temperature was already 88 degrees at 9 a.m. on the day of the clearing.
As the DPW lawn mower buzzed in the background that day, Luis joked: “Just leave the weed whacker here, we could do it ourselves.”
Although moving a tent might seem easy, for many people, it isn’t as simple as packing up camp.
“What a lot of people maybe don’t realize is that these people’s tents are their homes. Most of these people’s tents have bed frames, chairs, large mattresses, dressers. This is where people live,” Morris said. “People have a lot of belongings and the pure logistics of moving is hard. It’s also emotionally taxing.”
Morris also stressed — with frustration in their voice — that they and the other outreach workers could have spent those six hours on July Fourth differently. For example, they could have handed out cold water on a day when many other services were closed, but temperatures remained dangerously high.
“Our job isn’t to mow grass, but our job is to advocate for our clients, and if mowing the grass is what it’s going to take, then we’ll mow grass,” Morris said.
Residents were able to move back once the cleaning was over
City workers use a machine to clear trash and unused tents. Photos by Franziska Wild
The District is ready to start pulling back its migrant services — but migrants are still struggling to find homes in D.C.
Two years after thousands of migrants arrived in the District when governors bused them from Texas and Arizona, their access to vital housing and social services remains limited.
In April 2022, Texas Governor Greg Abbott started sending buses of migrants, who had recently arrived at the southern border, to sanctuary cities across the U.S. The decision was largely a political move meant to criticize Democrats’ policies on immigration and the border. Over the last two years, Abbott has bused over 100,000 migrants from Texas to places like D.C., New York, and Chicago.
In September 2022, the District created the Office of Migrant Services (OMS) within the Department of Human Services (DHS) to respond to the new migrants. OMS is tasked with providing respite, relocation, and case management services to migrants. The office was meant to “set up a system, distinct from the homeless services system, that is tailored to the needs of migrants and ensures the District’s response to this humanitarian crisis is consistent and well-coordinated,” according to a September 2022 press release.
However, that system has sometimes been unclear and unhelpful to migrants and their advocates, who say OMS has not done enough to ensure migrant families who stay in the city can find stable housing.
Once OMS opened, the office placed migrant families into shelters at three hotels in Northeast D.C. The hotels were only meant to provide families with temporary housing, but the barriers to accessing more permanent living situations mean many families have been living in the hotels for months. Currently, 345 individuals across 97 families are staying in OMS hotels, according to DHS.
One person, who has been living in the OMS shelter at the Quality Inn on New York Avenue for several months and asked to remain anonymous for privacy reasons, told Street Sense migrants have a hard time meeting landlords’ requests for financial information and personal documents, a barrier that prevents them from finding a place to rent. “They ask you for a lot of legal things. A lot of people here don’t have that,” they said. For example, landlords might ask for identification or proof of employment, a hurdle for migrants who do not have permission to work in the U.S.
The hotels reached full capacity by April 2023 with over 1,200 individuals from 370 families staying there, at which point OMS stopped accepting newcomers into the shelters unless they were facing “extreme cases of hardship,” according to the Washington Post. DHS wrote in an email to Street Sense that “migrant families who qualify for services are never turned away from the program,” and that “for families that do not qualify, [DHS works] on the appropriate referrals.”
The District closed one of the hotels, the Days Inn on New York Avenue, in March. Next year, OMS plans to reduce its capacity to operate a respite site for up to 210 people at the Harbor Light Center in Northeast and one of the two remaining hotel shelters for up to 130 families. Rachel Pierre, administrator of DHS’s Family Services Administration, which oversees OMS, says the office has been able to scale down because fewer families are coming to the District — buses stopped arriving in November — and many have been resettled through the office’s case management.
The D.C. Council established OMS through the Migrant Services and Supports Temporary Amendment Act of 2022, which gave the District access to emergency funding to finance the
office. The council has repeatedly extended the legislation through emergency and temporary measures, most recently on July 2.
The law separates the services provided by OMS from the homelessness services provided by DHS’s Continuum of Care.
Migrants are thus ineligible for many of the city’s shelter and temporary housing resources, such as transitional housing support and a guarantee families will only be placed in private, non-congregate shelters. Recently arrived migrants are also only eligible to receive case management through OMS, rather than
When migrants first arrive, they can go to a respite center for meals and short-term shelter at Harbor Light Center, which OMS opened in June 2023 shortly after the hotels reached capacity. Migrants are allowed to stay at the Harbor Light Center for up to three days until they can find somewhere else to move, according to Alejandra Jolodosky, an organizer with Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid (MSMA). However, some families stay at Harbor Light for extended periods, though advocates say there’s no clear guidance as to who is allowed to do so or why.
“I don’t know how that decision is made at all,” said Jolodosky. Some families were not even allowed to stay for three days.” The Washington Post reported that families who are in “dire need” were allowed to stay for longer periods at the Harbor Light Center.
When migrants have to leave the respite center, Jolodosky said they are not given any direction as to where to go next for longterm housing or further support. Because the hotels are full, migrant families are not guaranteed placement in a shelter. In an email to Street Sense, DHS wrote that adults without children are referred to low-barrier shelters. However, D.C.’s homeless shelters for singles have been largely full for months.
“They’re basically let go,” said Jolodosky. Mandi Rivera, who arrived in D.C. in November 2022 from Colombia, said in an interview with Street Sense she has been living in OMS facilities since then and is trying to find permanent housing for herself and her two children. She explained landlords have asked her to submit four pay stubs to show that she will be able to pay rent, an impossible task without a work permit.
“I don’t have a work permit at all, I’m still waiting,” said Rivera. She applied for an employment authorization in December 2023, but has still not received it. Migrants can apply for an Employment Authorization Document if they are granted asylum protections — which requires another application — or if they have Temporary Protected Status, which allows people from countries facing political crises or other emergencies to stay in the U.S.
The process of applying for a work permit was costly, as Rivera had to pay over a thousand dollars between the application fee and the legal services needed to apply.
“I am a mother and head of household, I was thinking: ‘What am I going to do?’” Rivera said. Although OMS has social workers at its shelters to provide migrants with case management, Rivera said she did not get any support finding permanent housing.
OMS staff have also removed some migrants from their accommodations at the shelters, adding another layer of insecurity to an uncertain situation. In October 2023, MSMA tweeted a video of a resident at the shelter being evicted from their hotel room, and Jolodosky said migrants were given “no support” once they were told to leave the hotels.
Pierre, from DHS, said OMS only removed families staying in shelters if they violated the code of conduct they were required to sign at intake. In some cases, families were removed from the hotels without being connected to other resources, according to Pierre.
“Once individuals or families break the code of conduct that can definitely lead to a termination of services, even prior to achieving housing stabilization,” said Pierre.
SAMANTHA MONTEIRO
Editorial Intern
Illustration by Leela Waehrer
OMS has removed 52 people from hotels and seven from the Harbor Light Center for code of conduct violations, according to DHS. Rivera said she was evicted from one shelter for having a glue gun and scissors, tools she uses to make piñatas for birthday parties.
“I told [the OMS official], ‘please give me a few days, give me a chance,’ no,” Rivera said. Rivera now stays at a respite center run by SAMU First Response, one of the nonprofit partners OMS works with to receive incoming migrants. She is still hoping to receive her employment authorization so she can find a place to rent for her family — but she said she is not getting the assistance she needs to do this from OMS.
“To have a stable house, pay taxes…but they aren’t helping to be able to do that,” Rivera said.
Pierre said the District has seen families “move on” from needing housing and support services from the office after finding permanent housing through the case management services. But those who remain have minimal access to the kinds of benefits for which longer-term D.C. residents are eligible.
D.C.’s homelessness service legislation defines District residents who are eligible to receive DHS services as people who are living in D.C. “voluntarily and not for a temporary purpose.” While migrants who came to D.C. before the busing began in 2022 can qualify for DHS services, the legislation that created OMS made it so those who have arrived since the busing started can only receive support through OMS, even if they have been living in shelters in D.C. for months.
“We’ve been having families who have been staying with OMS hotels for five or six months that are not being helped with navigating vital documents, that are not being helped with establishing D.C. residency,” said Sierra Barnedo, program manager for Rapid Rehousing and the Latinx Street Outreach Program at SMYAL.
Barnedo said many of the shortcomings in assisting the migrant population — specifically language and legal barriers for those who speak Spanish and are undocumented — extend throughout the homelessness services system.
“What happens when no one at drop-in centers, when no one at Permanent Supportive Housing case management, when no one at the shelter hotline, when no one speaks Spanish? Where is the accountability?” Barnedo said.
Many migrants had their passports and birth certificates confiscated by border patrol agents while in custody at the southern border, according to Jolodosky. Barnedo says that because some programs like SNAP and federally funded Permanent Supportive Housing only apply to D.C. residents or require a Social Security number or other identification, some undocumented migrants may be unable to access these programs at all.
Pierre said DHS does not deny services to people experiencing homelessness based on their immigration status. However, recently arrived migrants are only able to receive housing and
case management through the separate OMS system, which Pierre says is because the migrant population has a distinct set of needs from other District residents.
“A family who has ties to the District, who don’t have a language barrier, who is either experiencing homelessness or is at risk of experiencing homelessness, those are very different needs than somebody who is very new to the country and may have been bused here, who do not have ties to the country and do not have ties to the District,” said Pierre.
Still, Barnedo and other advocates say the lack of integration between OMS and other DHS services has meant migrant families who are planning to stay in the District permanently are not getting the assistance they need to find a stable place to live.
“We need to marry the systems together, because there are people here and they’re not going anywhere,” said Barnedo. “We’re in D.C., at what point are we members in this community?”
Because of this, local advocacy groups have been working to create other legal protections for migrants in D.C.
Organizations like MSMA, Beloved Community Incubator, and Legal Aid DC have put together an Immigrant Justice Platform, which has lobbied for the D.C. Council to adopt legislation for migrants’ economic and political opportunities by protecting street vendors and migrant youth, as well as expanding voting rights.
So far, the collective has seen success in both funding existing laws and passing new legislation like the Street Vendor Advancement Amendment Act, the Vulnerable Youth Guardian Protection Act, which gives vulnerable immigrant youth access to legal guardianship, and the Local Residents Voting Rights Act, which gives noncitizens the right to vote in local D.C. elections.
Jolodosky said the District can also take steps to make it easier for migrants to get identification. In 2023, MSMA and other local organizations issued a letter calling on the District to make asylum-seekers eligible for Limited-Purpose Credentials, a type of I.D. available to people without Social Security numbers that other D.C. residents experiencing homelessness have access to.
Rivera, for one, sees potential for migrants to thrive in the District if they are given the resources they need to support themselves and their families:
“As a migrant I can tell you, coming here is not easy, being here either is not easy, but it’s not impossible.”
Editor’s note: The interview with Mandi Rivera was conducted in Spanish, and quotes were translated by the reporter. Andrea Ho contributed reporting.
An Office of Migrant Services family shelter at a former Quality Inn hotel on New York Ave., in Northeast D.C.
Photo by Samantha Monteiro
The Book of Jeff: Donald Trump walks across the Hudson, gets arrested, and resurrects
JEFFERY MCNEIL
ake clear paths prepare the way, for the good news has come
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Donald Trump, and the Word was Trump.
2. Following a huge announcement by former and future president Donald Trump, a large crowd, estimated at over 100,000, waited outside the golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.
3. A mysterious figure took the stage of the rally at the golf course and introduced himself as Joshua, known as the Great Yoshi worldwide. He stepped on the podium, grabbed the mic, and waved to the large crowd, delivering a speech for the ages: “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!”
4. “Before my father sent me here, he told me, ‘Son, there are hearers and doers of the word, and Donald Trump is a doer.’ Trump understands. A nation that doesn’t obey my father’s commands loses God’s approval.”
5. As the crowd cheered, Yoshi said, “Let’s make way for the man whose shoes I can’t afford, but he blessed me with a pair of his $400 sneakers.” He lifted his robe, flashing a pair of expensive custom-made sneakers. The crowd cheered as Trump said, “Thank you, Yoshi. And let me tell you, folks, these sneakers are the best — just like America will be again.”
6. While the believers were cheering, a heckler shouted, “Hey Yoshi, can you turn water into wine?” He smiled and replied, “If I did that, I’d face legal challenges.”
A miracle occurs
7. Then Trump proclaimed, “The reason I have gathered you here this day is to witness a marvel. In a few short hours, Yoshi and I shall undertake a feat unprecedented in the annals of history. We shall walk upon the waters of the Hudson River unto Harlem, bearing gifts of fried chicken, ribs, and banana
pudding for the multitude. African Americans, whom I love dearly, have been sorely disrespected and mistreated by the Democrats. We shall bring them assistance and show them salvation. Join us at the Port Authority, where this wondrous journey shall commence. Believe me, it shall be a sight to behold, truly yuge and magnificent!”
The arrest of Trump
8. Not everyone was pleased by Trump announcing he would walk on water. Malik Jackson, known as Preacher, was the director of maritime operations as well as had a ministry Greater Hope Baptist Church. He saw Trump slamming his hand on his desk, “Who does he think he is, Jesus?”
9. What infuriated him was that Trump didn’t contact the Port Authority and ask permission to walk across the Hudson. Following Trump’s announcement, a press release stated that walking across the Hudson without contacting the authorities is illegal, and any violation could impose a hefty fine, even prison time.
10. So the news traveled to Trump, if you go through with this, the New York authorities will arrest you. Then the mayor got in on the act, saying it is a violation to feed poor people without the food first being inspected by health inspectors.
11. As the press badgered Trump and despite the warnings by New York authorities of arrest, Yoshi, who became Trump’s advisor, cited Proverbs 29:25: “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” He then said to Trump, “If you love me, keep my commands,” and led him by the hand to the Hudson.
12. Trump, ever the showman, gave a final wave before stepping onto the water. Yoshi followed, the circle’s glow above his head illuminating their path.
13. The crowd watched in awe as they seemed to defy nature. Halfway through, Trump started sinking and shouted, “Help me, I’m drowning!” What appeared to be a disaster turned into a spectacle as Yoshi said verse John 14:1, “ Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”
14. As Trump and Yoshi reached the shore, they were met
Blood sport (muy thai)
INVISIBLE PROPHET
Content warning: This article recounts an assault and mentions suicide.
M In recent events, I was assaulted by a homeless man in the community. The funny thing is he thought I was going down. He got scared when I stood my ground. You can’t knock me down no matter how I feel. My anger is towards creation always sending perverts, rapists, predators, enablers, traffickers, and abusers into my life.
I don’t care about your position or reputation. You didn’t think about your family, reputation, career, or popularity when committing crimes. I don’t care if you are with the government either. In my 44 years, demons (humans tainted by dark energies) hide in the shadows like the cowards they are. Those snakes and cowards can never face me. I’ve resorted to blood sport, hopefully training in mixed martial arts and
jiu-jitsu. Maybe one day I will compete. With all this built-up anger I can legally spar with someone.
I’m building up my confidence against the malicious actions and words of others. I am going to be a different person. I will train for a couple of months. To all those cowards who hide in the shadows, you’ll receive invites to legally fight me. You won’t dare because false confidence is what you live by.
To those individuals who threatened me, showed up at my place, ruined my life, and forced me into attempting suicide, do you want to witness another side of me? Here’s your chance! Don’t let it go… I hope you train too. What you continue to not realize is I’m smarter than all of you. You’re about to find out.
I have forgotten about those who hurt me on purpose. You don’t matter. You never have and never will. My wellness is held to the highest above all. If you can’t love me respectfully
by Malik and the police squad, ready to arrest them. Trump quipped, raising his hands dramatically, “Remember this, folks! They’re trying to stop us, but they can’t!”
The trial and imprisonment
15. In a high-profile trial, Trump was offered a deal: if he denounced Yoshi and apologized to the New York authorities, he would be released. Trump, never one to back down, refused. “I stand by my beliefs and my people!” he declared. “I will not apologize for doing what is right!”
16. Trump was sent to Rikers Island and placed in the general population. The conditions were harsh, a far cry from his opulent lifestyle.
17. In his cell, Trump remained defiant. “They can imprison me, but they can’t imprison the truth!” he shouted to his fellow inmates.
The death and resurrection
18. Three days later, Trump was found dead in his cell under mysterious circumstances. Rumors and conspiracy theories spread like wildfire.
19. As his body lay dormant, all the Magas were there: Matt Gaetz, Byron Donalds, and Marjorie Taylor Greene who called out Malik for killing Trump.
20. But then, something extraordinary happened. Yoshi entered the room put his hands over his eyes and all of a sudden he jumped out of his casket and said “Why am I dead? I have to defeat Crooked Joe Biden.” Word spread quickly: Trump had risen.
21. His supporters, emboldened by this miraculous turn of events, took up his cause with renewed fervor. They proclaimed, “He has risen, and his spirit shall lead us!” And so, the legend of Trump grew, inspiring his followers to continue his mission with undying zeal, believing in the power of the man who walked on water, fed the multitudes, and rose from the dead.
or honor who I am, you will not be a part of my life. You’re confused, I will never love you.
My life has been threatened throughout childhood and adulthood. I laugh at the depths of assault and lack of control over mental health alignments. You plot and find reasons to believe you have the upper hand. If I’m not powerful, worthy, or successful, then why do I drive you mad?
Let me prepare you for the woman I never needed to release for cowards who falsely live confidently. She is holding onto her will to be free from pain, hurt, and control. Lastly, that will be the only time I allow myself to be assaulted by a messenger. I am powerful, that’s my alignment. Are all of you ready for David to stone Goliath???
Invisible Prophet is an artist/vendor with Street Sense Media.
Jeffery McNeil is an artist/vendor with Street Sense Media.
Asian Americans done wrong
NIKILA SMITH
Asians make up six percent of the Philadelphia metro area population, according to the Inquirer. When you think about violence and who is impacted by it, my heart goes out to Asian Americans. The things they have been through sound so familiar. One Philadelphia case demonstrates why you shouldn’t brutalize others.
I hear ignorance is bliss, and I’m at fault for thinking Chinese, Korean, and Japanese people are the same. While researching this article, I’ve been very mindful of how I write. This is a sensitive issue about myself not being educated enough. In recent days, I have seen many Asian Americans experiencing homelessness in D.C. This is wrong. I understand Asian Americans’ anger and passion because I have seen it up close and personal. I’ve seen people making fun of the way they speak and the shape of their bodies. It’s racism at best, but they also experience torture, assault, robbery, being pistol-whipped, and just scared to death.
In Philidelphia, 13 home invasion attacks in May and August of 2016 left many families seeking therapy. Some of these home invasions had children present. I couldn’t imagine my children being present for these assaults. The two men, Black men in this case, received 30 to 60 years and 60 to 90 years for home invasion.
How powerful is hate?
Hatred killed a Chinese American named Vincent Jen Chin. On June 19, 1982, Chin was attacked and murdered by hatred, distributed and acted out by two white men, Ronald Ebens and his stepson Michael Nitz. Chin was out celebrating his bachelor party for his upcoming wedding. The two men received three years’ probation and a fine.
Hate can go both ways. Another case I find heartbreaking is about a young lady named Latasha Harlins. On March 16, 1991, she was shot and killed at the age of 15 by a 49-year-old Korean American named Soon Ja Du. Latasha was purchasing a bottle of orange juice when Du, the store clerk, assumed Latasha was stealing the drink and shot Latasha in the back of her head.
ART
Paying attention
TONYA WILLIAMS Artist/Vendor
It’s a time to live
It’s a time to always be grateful
It’s a time to always be thankful
It’s a time to always be happy
It’s a time to love
It’s a time to keep smiling
Knight
DARLESHA JOYNER Artist/Vendor
My knight in shining armor was on his horse, fine as ever, on a hot sunny day. He was looking good on that horse with that dark chocolate complexion and his muscular body. And yes lord, he has it goin’ on, girl.
I found a heart on the street. I picked it up and put it in my bag to carry with me.
This senseless murder took place in the same month as the Rodney King beating. Du received five years probation and a $500 fine. Latasha Harlins, how powerful is hate?
Nikila Smith is an artist/vendor with Street Sense Media.
Good cat
His name is Goldies. He’s standing on his hind legs, in the chair. He loves to play with his toys, so he chews on the chair and wires, chases me, and likes to look at birds. I like to sleep on the couch; he likes to sleep by the door. He’s the cat my girlfriend brought me. When she bought the cat, he started to whine. When she brought him to me, I held him in my arms. He wants to sleep and whine all day. My life was boring when I did not have a cat or dog. Now, my life has changed. Now, I love my cat and he loves me.
Equanimity
JOSIE BROWN Artist/Vendor
I sell candles that are therapeutic. They help you stay calm and relaxed while meditating.
You’re still mine
LATICIA BROCK
Some of the keys on my keyboard are missing
I sometimes forget what letter I’m seeking
The seed you planted last weekend has bloomed so large
This poetic license we created was out of the country (shut the front door)
So was our emotions
Don’t wear them on your sleeves, child, please
Child, please
Don’t submit another one of these
The harder you try, the more you squeeze
Life’s a breeze if you know how to fly
Tell the truth, ‘cause we’re living the lie!
Poetic justice Is Tupac still alive?
GRETA CHRISTIAN Artist/Vendor
Illustration by Nikila Smith
Artist/Vendor
Pride month
JEMEL FLEMING
Artist/Vendor
My name is Jemel Fleming, Street Sense newspaper vendor 563. On June 8, I went to the Pride Day festival in Washington D.C. to sell Street Sense at the parade. There were a large number of people from different origins in the downtown D.C. area. There were at least 100,000 people or more in my view. Some info can be found on online about past, present, and future events as big as Pride. You can see an example of the parade on websites like YouTube.
God’s gifts
RACHELLE ELLISON
Artist/Vendor
When you are blessed with gifts from God up above
You must serve those he places you before with unconditional love
My pain and trauma was not in vain
He has helped me heal from the inside out for the world’s gain
Doing God’s work is not for the faint of heart
But for those who stay obedient, it gives you a fresh new start
I’ve dedicated my life to sharing these gifts
To help others through their trauma and rifts
That life throws at us each and every day
Doing God’s work for me is the only way!
Homelessness?
SAUL PRESA
Artist/Vendor
A variety of homeless people exist in our world for a variety of reasons. People who lose their homes because they lost their jobs or they’re in staggering debt to banks. People who lose their homes because of addictions they’re trying to conquer, overcome, repel, and shed forever, but, sadly, they all too often cannot. People born to parents who didn’t or couldn’t own a house no matter how hard they tried because the system wouldn’t let them.
Can’t marry him now
QUEENIE FEATHERSTONE
Artist/Vendor
He said, ‘’Hello.” I nodded.
He said, “Let’s have dinner.” I said, “Okay.”
He said, “This is great!”
I said, “A delicious meal we ate!”
He said, “It’s a lovely night.”
I said, “It is.”
He said, “I love you.”
He lied.
Happy Fourth of July
WARREN STEVENS Artist/Vendor
We celebrated the Fourth of July, a national holiday to rest and enjoy, and travel in or out of town. People like to ride or drive down to the parks and have picnics and cookouts. At night they can enjoy watching fireworks in the sky.
When I was a kid, my family would buy snacks and drive down to Hains Point Park near the swimming pool and watch them shoot fireworks. My mom, dad, sister, cousin, aunt, friends and I enjoy watching the fireworks
Thumbs up
RON DUDLEY
Artist/Vendor
Please stop and look both ways
My middle finger won’t go down, how do I wave? Thumbs up, please stop, respect what I’m doing
The front of your car ain’t the place for dead women and children
Thumbs up, please stop, and hit that like
You get two thumbs up if you don’t hit that bike Thumbs up, please get outta your ego
You get two thumbs down if you hit one of them people. Thumbs up, please stop and look both ways
God woke me up and said we got lives to save Thumbs up, please stop and look both ways
God woke me up and said you gotta be brave Thumbs up, please stop and look both ways
You must be a diamond when you gotta get appraised Thumbs up, please stop and look both ways
Some crazy people behind the wheels these days Thumbs up, please stop and look both ways
Why somebody gotta die because you wanna race? Thumbs up, please stop and look both ways
Why somebody gotta die for you to get a parking space?
shoot up in the sky. It is very exciting. Every year there is a stand on every corner downtown that sells fireworks. People buy them to shoot where they live.
My son and his family will be watching fireworks in Maryland, where they live. My sister and her boyfriend will be watching fireworks on TV. Me and my girlfriend will be watching fireworks at our apartment.
Stay safe.
The very independent young lady
JEANETTE RICHARDSON
Artist/Vendor
Well, she was very independent. But something happened and made her dependent. She was trying to deal with how it was going, but could not adapt to the situation. So I became the social person in her life. She did not know how to ask for anything she needed. So I started asking if she needed anything or if I could help out in any way. She would say no.
So I’m saying, it’s good to be flexible in life.
Cinnamon rolls journey
BRIANNA BUTLER
Artist/Vendor
I have a voracity for cinnamon rolls. They are so soft and so full of sweet pleasure.
To continue enjoying these delights, I will follow Leslie Sansone’s advice to do two miles of power walking every day. She is a great instructor and her enthusiasm is infectious. The workout is not long, but it is incredibly effective. My body feels it from the inside out.
Then I align my muscles with resistance bands to become stronger and leaner. As a bonus for my abdomen, I pull out my fun red and white striped hula hoop and do many, many repetitions. I’m getting more excited because I’m getting closer to my amazing cinnamon roll treat.
Later I will ride an hour and a half on the train and the bus to the mall. I walk from one end to the other. And — voila! — The Cinnamon Cafe. I have to wait in a long line, but it is forever worth it.
The first bite melts in my mouth. I cannot put it down (not that I’d want to, of course). That bite makes you want it more and more. Such a wonderful treat for all my hard work. Plus, a T-shirt and dress to match!
So, how ‘bout you? Would you go to such great lengths for a treat like this? If so, please let me know. I’m standing at 17th and Connecticut NW.
The joy of fishing
MARC GRIER Artist/Vendor
When I was a little kid, in West Hyattsville, I used to go to the creek. Nothing was exciting about this, except for one thing: They stocked it with trout.
Brown trout, rainbow trout, it was the best of times. But as I got older, I discovered the bay. And it was great. I was hooked. My father bought a boat and that’s when I really fell in love. We would go on the bay from Solomons and Crisfield, and we would catch croakers, spot, trout, and flounder. I was in heaven. We used to charter our boat and go out into the crystal blue water. We’d catch some of the most amazing fish like triggers, grouper, and red snapper, just to name a few. And it was a lovely time, every time I went down there on vacation.
Your local fishing report
MICHAEL
PENNYCOOK Artist/Vendor
The river is loaded with all kinds of fish. It all depends on what you want to catch. For the last 30 years, I have fished the river at night. In June, the Kennedy Center area and the tidal basin area are real good for fishing at night time. I throw in the soft plastic lure and rattle trap all night long.
I have found outgoing tide at night is the best time to catch these fish: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rockfish, and walleye. The Kennedy Center produces a lot of walleye and smallmouth bass. The tidal basin produces rockfish and largemouth bass.
If you are fishing the Tidal Basin, one easy way to catch largemouth bass is to take a spinner bait, throw it 20 yards out, and start walking. We call it walk trolling. You can do this with any lure. If you are fishing at the Kennedy Center, you want to use a lure that you can throw out far, then let your lure hit the bottom and reel it in slowly. I can’t give you guys all my secrets, but the few I have shared will help you catch fish.
The mature woman
TASHA SAVOY
Artist/Vendor
The mature woman is learning how to cut the cord. A mature woman is mature enough to not be around the immature. Mature enough to miss time, but still make a dime. As for the future, my maturity will be mine and I won’t forget to look back and be fine.
The big three
LEVESTER GREEN
Artist/Vendor
When Shirley Caesar sang of a strong man, and televangelist Jack Van Impe announced there was a strong image of a devil overtop of D.C., (even after he announced Obama was the charismatic Anti-Christ to him), I did not picture or envision or did I think to put him in that strong man’s position. But I’ll tell you the big three that did come to mind were Trump, Jordan, with his number one pick, out of the blue. Plus his comeback too, wearing blue! And me myself, who has always been here! Plus those two would be futuristically speaking as they had not made it to Washington D.C. by then... ELVEST lives, CESUZ reigns, and the love star Levester has landed.
Lesson less on
DEGNON DOVONOU
Artist/Vendor
Let son let the sun
Staying a long time under the sun
Let him let out of the sun
To learn the lesson
Please less it on
White white white
Sunder sender sounder
An adjective active proactive
Fake take mistake
Write your right-right
Say loud that I’m loud
I face the fear with scare
I walk around the town round
Round the town down near downtown
Same way I can own down my own town
Moxie:
FREDERIC JOHN
Artist/Vendor
Doll in the kitchen
In 1964, she was 35 years of age. Today (2024), “Doll” aka Fleurine, would be 95! And I’m sure she’d be sleek in those black satin capri pants, topped by a wild Hawaiian bougainvillea and hibiscus/frangipani floral print.
“She has a pair o’ lips, jus’ like two battleships.” “Hamm’s be-ah, Hamms’ beer, Ree-freshing Hamm’s BEE-AH!” From the land of sky-blue waters came the cascading tremendous contralto of Della Reese. “Miss Della Reese to you, sweet chile.” Doll pulled no punches. She tried to ‘school’ me in the hard knocks of this oh-so-unfair world.
Doll came from far northeast D.C., where Mr. Waverly’s barbershop and social center was the nexus of all things important in that world of 1964. From the crackling phonograph, as we
stumbled in the night, we likely heard, “I went down to the Saint James’ Infirmary. I saw my baby laid there.” Bobby Blue Bland echoed across the room. It might be the latest chapter of “Ben Basie, MD,” featuring the hip crack of Count Basie himself.
In the swivel chairs, swell small tones of pastel suits over matching shorts were getting their ‘dos’ “fried, dyed and laid on after to the side.” And it seemed most of them smiled easily as the pert lady with the firm ‘flip’ caressed their cheek.
Back here at the show kitchen in Fort Swimmer Hills, Doll was pasting over the new bird to replace the bigger one Dad had left too long in the oven without turning over.
Illustration by Frederick John
Photos courtesy of Marc Grier.
Marc Grier with his catch.
FUN & GAMES
Homophone It In
Across
1. Oscar-nominated actress Diane of “Rambling Rose” and “Wild at Heart”
5. With “the,” a disparaging description of D.C. that politicos routinely promise (but invariably fail) to “drain”
10. “Frozen” character who sings “Let it Go”
14. Orchestral instrument with a single consonant
15. Conspiring group
16. D.C. baseballers, for short
17. Formally constituted legislative bodies comprised solely of lawyers? (2 wds.) (7,8) (UNCONSCIOUS CELL anagram)
20. Clean freaks’ obsession
21. One moving left to right, politically (NO ECON anagram)
22. Characters associated with swordsman Diego de la Vega?
23. Food thickener
24. Breakfast staple makers that sponsored weekly cliff-hanger shows like Sky King and The Lone Ranger? (2 wds.) (6.7) (EARLIER SCALES anagram))
29. Neural transmitters
31. Senior____ (malady experienced by many bored 4th year high school students)
32. The Tigers, on a scoreboard (abbr.)
33. Hustles
34. Anne or Calvin, of fashion
36. Thailand, once
37. M - CDLXXXIX = ____ (Rom. Num.)
38. The Big ____ (nickname of former Seattle Mariners and MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson)
39. Words of one promising not to (1,4) (IN TWO anagram)
40. Rough, grainy-textured meal segments? (2 wds.) (6,7) (SECURES A COORS anagram)
44. Home of Iowa State
45. In one’s birth day suit, so to speak 46. Maternity ward pacer, stereotypically (2 wds.) (3,3) (DAWNED anagram)
49. Worrisome engine sound
53. The young grouses, partridges or quails that are relatively low-priced? (2 wds.) (7,8)
56. Violinist Leopold who taught Heifetz
57. “The Raven” author, briefly (1,1,3)
58. Mountain rd. sign abbreviation
59. Puts two and two together
60. Treads heavily (through)
61. Takes ____ (the extreme opposite of chugging) (2 wds.) (1,3)
Down
1. ___ Ness monster
2. “It’s ____” (declaration on a certain cigar band) (2 wds.) (1,3)
3. Jones who served as a Dem. U.S. Senator from Alabama from 2018-2021 and is now a CNN political commentator
4. Inhabitants (SNIDE ZEN anagram)
5. Broadway opening? (2 wds.) (5,1)
6. Solidarity leader Lech who became Poland’s president
7. “20/20” network (abbr./initialism)
8. Cultural Revolution leader ____ Zedong
9. Not hold oneself back (2 wds.) (6,2)
10. Concert finale that’s responsive to “More!”
11. Nonclerical
12. W.W. II battle town located in France (2,2) (incls abbr.)
13. PGA part (abbr.)
18. People consulting crystal balls
19. Closes in on
23. When the entire company of “Hair” appeared 45-Across on a dimly lit stage (2 wds.) (3,1)
24. Fourth female jurist who sits with Amy, Elena and Ketanji
25. Deceive with false words (3,2)
26. Parting word to one’s amiga or amigo (Sp.)
27. Mrs. Sprat’s dietary no-no
28. Bank acct. report (abbr.)
29. Current choice?
30. Hugs and kisses symbols
34. Up to one’s patellas (in) (4-4) (KEEP EDEN)
35. Drivers’ and hunters’ needs (abbr.)
36. Climbing vine with fragrant flowers, or a term of endearment
38. One usually shows AK and HI as insets (3 wds.) (1,1,3) (incls. abbrs.)
39. Should be here any minute (2 wds.) (2,3)
41. Speed readers that catch speeders?
42. Like wild horses or The Barefoot Contessa
43. Coins in India (PUREES anagram)
46. March Madness org. (abbr./initialism)
47. Olmert or Barak of Israel
48. It may refer to great grass, or something unwanted in a lawn.
50. Business card nos.(abbr.)
51. “Able was I ____ saw Elba” (wellknown palindromic phrase) (2 wds) (3,1)
52. Invitation request (abbr./Fr. initialism)
54. Cap. of North Carolina (abbr.)
55. U.S.N. and U.S.C.G. E-7 rank (abbr.) alphabet
This crossword puzzle is the original work of Patrick “Mac”McIntyre. It is provided to us courtesy of Real Change News, a street paper based in Seattle, Washington. Learn more about Real Change News and the International Network of Street Papers at realchangenews.org and insp.ngo.
ILLUSTRATION OF THE WEEK
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Housing/Shelter Vivienda/alojamiento Case Management Coordinación de Servicios
Academy of Hope Public Charter School
202-269-6623 // 2315 18th Pl. NE
202-373-0246 // 421 Alabama Ave. SE aohdc.org
Bread for the City 1525 7th St., NW // 202-265-2400 1700 Marion Barry Ave., SE // 202-561-8587 breadforthecity.org
Calvary Women’s Services // 202-678-2341 1217 Marion Barry Ave., SE calvaryservices.org
Catholic Charities // 202-772-4300 catholiccharitiesdc.org/gethelp
Central Union Mission // 202-745-7118 65 Massachusetts Ave., NW missiondc.org
Charlie’s Place // 202-929-0100 1830 Connecticut Ave., NW charliesplacedc.org
Christ House // 202-328-1100 1717 Columbia Rd., NW christhouse.org
Church of the Pilgrims // 202-387-6612 2201 P St., NW (1-1:30 on Sundays only) churchofthepilgrims.org/outreach
Community Family Life Services 202-347-0511 // 305 E St., NW cflsdc.org
Community of Hope // 202-232-7356 4 Atlantic St., NW communityofhopedc.org
Covenant House Washington 202-610-9600 // 2001 Mississippi Ave., SE covenanthousedc.org
D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 202-347-8870 // 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW dccfh.org
Father McKenna Center // 202-842-1112 19 North Capitol St., NW fathermckennacenter.org
Food and Friends // 202-269-2277
(home delivery for those suffering from HIV, cancer, etc) 219 Riggs Rd., NE foodandfriends.org
Foundry Methodist Church // 202-332-4010 1500 16th St., NW foundryumc.org/idministry
Identification services
Friendship Place // 202-364-1419 4713 Wisconsin Ave., NW friendshipplace.org
Georgetown Ministry Center // 202-338-8301 1041 Wisconsin Ave., NW georgetownministrycenter.org
Jobs Have Priority // 202-544-9096 1526 Pennslyvania Ave., SE jobshavepriority.org
Loaves & Fishes // 202-232-0900 1525 Newton St., NW loavesandfishesdc.org
Martha’s Table // 202-328-6608 marthastable.org 2375 Elvans Rd, SE
2204 Martin Luther King Ave. SE
Miriam’s Kitchen // 202-452-8926 2401 Virginia Ave., NW miriamskitchen.org
My Sister’s Place // 202-529-5991 (24-hr hotline) mysistersplacedc.org
N Street Village // 202-939-2076 1333 N St., NW nstreetvillage.org
New York Avenue Shelter // 202-832-2359 1355-57 New York Ave., NE
Patricia Handy Place for Women 202-733-5378 // 810 5th St., NW
Samaritan Inns // 202-667-8831 2523 14th St., NW samaritaninns.org
Samaritan Ministry 202-722-2280 // 1516 Hamilton St., NW 202-889-7702 // 1345 U St., SE samaritanministry.org
Sasha Bruce Youthwork // 202-675-9340 741 8th St., SE sashabruce.org
So Others Might Eat (SOME) // 202-797-8806 71 O St., NW some.org
St. Luke’s Mission Center // 202-363-4900 3655 Calvert St., NW stlukesmissioncenter.org
Thrive DC // 202-737-9311 1525 Newton St., NW thrivedc.org
Unity Health Care unityhealthcare.org - Healthcare for the Homeless Health Center: 202-508-0500 - Community Health Centers: 202-469-4699
1500 Galen Street SE, 1251-B Saratoga Ave NE, 1660 Columbia Road NW, 4414 Benning Road NE, 3924 Minnesota Avenue NE, 765 Kenilworth Terrace NE, 850 Delaware Ave., SW, 3240 Stanton Road SE, 3020 14th Street NW, 425 2nd Street NW, 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 1333 N Street NW, 1355 New York Avenue NE, 1151 Bladensburg Rd., NE, 4515 Edson Pl., NE
Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U St., NW // 202-328-5500 legalclinic.org
The Welcome Table // 202-347-2635 1317 G St., NW. epiphanydc.org/thewelcometable
Whitman-Walker Health 1525 14th St., NW // 202-745-7000 1201 Sycamore Dr., SE whitman-walker.org
Woodley House // 202-830-3508 2711 Connecticut Ave., NW
For further information and listings, visit our online service guide at StreetSenseMedia.org/service-guide
Cashier
Harris Teeter // Washington, D.C.
Part-time
Expectations include correct bagging procedures, provide parcel pickup service, and loading merchandise into customer vehicles.
REQUIRED:Mustbecomfortableworkingon feet for entire shift, must be able to regularly lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
APPLY: tinyurl.com/HarrisTeeterDC
Retail Associate
Ross Stores // 1060 Brentwood Rd., NE
Part-time
Greet customers in a friendly manner, efficientlyfollowcompanypractices,maintain a clear work area.
REQUIRED: Must be able to perform basic mathmatical calculations, must be comfortable working on feet for entire shift, and must be able to lift 25 pounds.
APPLY: tinyurl.com/RossDC
Server
Pizza Hut // 1501 A&B Maryland Ave. NE
Part-time
Expectations include taking orders and providing satisfactory customer services.
REQUIRED: Must have good time managementskillsandbecomfortabletalking to strangers.
APPLY: tinyurl.com/PizzaHutDC
MR. G.A.R.L.I.C.
RONNELL WILSON AND MAURICE CARTER
Artists/Vendors
To achieve an advanced level of success, allow Maurice and Ronnell the opportunity to introduce you all to MR. G.A.R.L.I.C.
M = Maurice
R = Ronnell
G = Goals sorted accordingly as you go about your day. Use tunnel vision for each goal, in any order you desire. Start your day one second at a time!
A = Attitude. Immediately identify what your attitude is and how it assists your goal. Catch it and check it!
R = Responsibility. Use a sniper’s focus to take care of all your responsibilities.
L = Leadership. The ability to teach, inspire, and demonstrate empathy.
I = Image and income per G.O.A.T. A personal boundary to set for oneself. Always dressing for success could/should be a personal goal that potentially sets a tone! Affirm yourself that “I LOVE ME!”
C = Consistency!
PEACEFUL TOBIAS
Artist/Vendor
MELODY BYRD Artist/Vendor
MAURICE CARTER Artist/Vendor