At Miriam’s Kitchen, our mission is clear: we want to end chronic homelessness in Washington, D.C.. Achieving this goal is not about moving people from one place to another—it’s about providing permanent, stable housing first, along with the supportive services necessary to help our neighbors rebuild their lives.
“This is fundamentally an economic problem — a shortage of affordable housing.” Andy Wassenich, Director of Policy at Miriam’s Kitchen The New York Times during an interview. ” I’ve worked with people who have a sixth-grade education and people who have master’s degrees from Ivy League universities,” he said of the unhoused neighbors. “The one thing they had in common is that they couldn’t afford rent.”
Housing First is not just a program—it’s the foundation for safety, stability, and opportunity. This approach is rooted in evidence: individuals who are provided with stable housing are far more likely to access healthcare, find employment, reconnect with their communities, and maintain their well-being. By contrast, displacing people without offering these resources only deepens their vulnerability and perpetuates the cycle of homelessness.
“The removal of our unhoused neighbors from public spaces without offering them stable housing first is not the solution,” Adam Rocap, deputy CEO and chief strategy officer of Miriam’s Kitchen, told The Washington Post. “It does not address the real issue: the lack of affordable housing and access to the support services that people need to maintain their homes.”
Adam emphasized the importance of starting with housing: “At Miriam’s Kitchen, we believe that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves a safe place to call home. When people are uprooted without access to housing and support services, they face even greater challenges. Housing is the first step—it’s the foundation that allows individuals to rebuild their lives with dignity.”
The impact of housing—or the lack of it—goes far beyond having a roof over one’s head. Many of the people we serve rely on networks of support within their communities. Relocating them away from familiar surroundings can create isolation and trauma, making it harder to regain stability.
Dana White, Director of Operations, highlighted how critical this foundation is in practice: “When someone has a safe home, everything changes. They can focus on their health, their family, their job, and their future. Housing allows our neighbors to move from merely surviving to thriving.” Said during a live interview with News Nation on Tuesday after the administration’s announcement.
Wesley Thomas, a longtime community advocate, reinforced this message: “Housing is the first step. It’s the foundation that allows people to take back control over their lives. Without it, nothing else can succeed. Every policy, every program, every resource should start here.” Thomas added while talking to a reporter from NBC 4.
Miriam’s Kitchen is committed to Housing First, and we continue to implement this approach across all of our programs—from our low-barrier shelters and bridge housing to our permanent supportive housing and wraparound services. Our work shows that when people are given stability, they are able to access healthcare, job training, and mental health services, and reconnect with the support networks that help them thrive.
Ending homelessness in D.C. requires more than temporary fixes or relocation efforts—it requires a commitment to permanent housing, compassion, and long-term investment. Policies that prioritize displacement over housing do not solve the problem; they make it worse. Real solutions focus on helping our neighbors live with dignity and security, creating pathways for them to thrive, not just survive.
We urge leaders at every level to embrace the Housing First model and make investments in affordable housing and supportive services a priority. Our neighbors deserve stability, safety, and a place to call home—and it is only through housing that they can begin to rebuild their lives and futures.
To follow our media coverage during this time please visit: MK IN THE MEDIA
