Tell Councilmember Pinto & the DC Council to stop “No Tent Zones”

 

Last week, D.C. began forced evictions of tent encampments as part of Mayor Bowser’s new approach towards homeless encampments. While we support efforts to connect encampment residents to housing, we are deeply concerned with the permanent closure of encampments and the establishment of “no tent zones,” which will further criminalize homelessness. The bulldozing of an unhoused person at last week’s encampment eviction is a powerful example of the trauma and tragic accidents that occur when displacement and arbitrary timelines are prioritized over the health and safety of our unhoused neighbors.

 

People experiencing homelessness in D.C. – 85% of whom are Black – are greatly harmed by the past and ongoing racism inherent to our criminal-legal system. Further punishing our neighbors for their means of survival will only exacerbate existing racial inequities. By doubling down on the policing and criminalization of homelessness – systems known to cause and perpetuate homelessness – D.C. is only contributing to the vicious cycle between prison and homelessness. This misguided approach will further harm those living outdoors by increasing interactions with the police, displacing communities, and increasing exposure to the elements.

 

Miriam’s Kitchen, along with The People for Fairness Coalition and our numerous partners, calls on Mayor Bowser to:

• continue to prioritize housing-focused outreach for encampment residents
• stop the forceful eviction and permanent closure of encampments
• stop the creation of “No Tent Zones”

 

After the events of this past week, we were shocked when the Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services announced D.C.’s intent to continue – and expand – its current approach. We call on our Ward 2 Councilmember, Brooke Pinto, who currently supports no camping zones, and her At-Large colleagues, to step in to stop the harm.

 

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Thanks in part to our advocacy, D.C. is poised to end chronic homelessness for more than 2,350 individuals this year. However, implementing this harmful and rushed approach may jeopardize D.C.’s shared goal of ending chronic homelessness at the time when it is most achievable.

 

At Miriam’s Kitchen, our dedicated street outreach team will continue to work with encampment residents, and all unhoused neighbors in our outreach areas, by utilizing a human-centered and housing-first approach. Our goal remains to ensure that every one of our neighbors without homes receives the housing and support they need to thrive.

 

To learn more about our advocacy and to receive action alerts, please join The Way Home Campaign, a District-wide movement to end chronic homelessness led by Miriam’s Kitchen.

 

As always, thank you for advocating for our vulnerable neighbors, and for supporting our mission to end chronic homelessness in D.C.

 

With gratitude,

 

Scott B. Schenkelberg

President and CEO

Miriam’s Kitchen