Foggy Bottom encampment clearings foil residents’ ‘last resort,’ advocates say
People experiencing homelessness come to Foggy Bottom for its safety and local support resources, though an influx in community complaints over the last year have led to more encampment evictions, advocates say.
Advocates from D.C. homelessness nonprofit organizations said unhoused people often settle in Foggy Bottom after city and National Park Service officials evict them from encampments in other parts of the District because the neighborhood is safe and has a community of unhoused individuals. But advocates said complaints from Foggy Bottom residents about a lack of encampment cleanliness over the last year and a new no-camping rule in D.C. have led to more encampment clearings, which pose safety risks for many unhoused people who lose their community, belongings and connection to outreach workers when they’re forced to relocate.
“The encampments in Foggy Bottom are, for many people, the encampments of last resort in D.C.,” said Jesse Rabinowitz, the campaign and communications director at the National Homelessness Law Center and a former outreach worker for Miriam’s Kitchen, a Foggy Bottom-based homelessness nonprofit.
By Rory Quealy and Shea Carlburg | Full story
Advocates provide voting resources to support homeless populations
Housing and shelter advocates across D.C. are working to close the voting gap for homeless individuals in the month leading up to the presidential election, ensuring that everyone has a chance to fill out a ballot.
Those who live in D.C. do not need a “permanent residence” to vote. Instead, those without permanent housing can list P.O. boxes, homeless and other advocacy shelters or a friend or family member’s home when registering. According to the District of Columbia Board of Elections, citizens can use an occupancy statement from a homeless shelter as proof of address if they utilize same day voting and registration.
Despite these laws, only 10 percent of homeless people vote in elections each year, partially due to a lack of resources and attention from politicians, says Courtney Cooperman, manager of the Our Homes, Our Votes campaign for the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
By Cara Halford | Full story
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