Increase Shelter Capacity in DC

A series of interviews conducted with homeless individuals in DC showcasing the lack of appropriate shelter space. Please sign on to our letter to the Mayor: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/927858447


Please note: The first slide slightly misrepresented dates and should read "In April 2008, Mayor Fenty unveiled his housing first plan and pledged to move 2,500 homeless individuals into permannent housing by the end of 2014." We apologize for this error.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• DC
• homeless
• shelter
• Fenty
• poverty
• housing

[abralw]

The original report we were using said by end of fiscal year 2009. Based on additional information we determined 2014 was the accurate number. Essentially the correct information is merely the second slide. We could not remove just the first slide which is why we added the note onto it. Please see our comments regarding this in the video's info. Thank you.

[MegaCrazycatt]

Can anyone explain to me where the government comes up with their poverty guidelines? Because I can tell you from experience there is NO WAY 1 person can even live off of that for 1 year; let alone a family. The rent I had when I lived on my own wasn't even that bad compared to other places; $630 a month. So their poverty guidelines are WAY OFF; there is NO WAY you can afford to live anywher on $10,000 a year.

[MegaCrazycatt]

I feel really bad for that one woman who was saying she had to use her bus pass for food; but she looked REALLY messed up

[cobainzlady]

yes, our society and laws say nothing about people taking care of their own, even families with money throw away their members. this for one thing, should be illegal. but there is nothing saying people have to support their impoverished or homeless family members if they are wealthy.

i know God / Bible says to take care of your own but how many churches say it?

[JediLiz]

I'm confused. If the first slide should say 2014, is the second slide completely false?

[prairiefyrelee]

This is heartbreaking. Those who know the situation of homeless battered women and their families in particular, know what is available is still just a drop in the bucket, despite the heroic work of the domestic violence agencies. The problem is systemic. The problem is that our society identifies some people as "throwaway" people. One way to help is to support your local agencies serving the homeless and battered women's shelters. Another way is to stand up and fight economic oppression.