Miriam’s Kitchen is thrilled to support a new non-congregate shelter coming to our neighborhood. During our 40 years of providing services to our neighbors experiencing homelessness in DC, we’ve stood by the beliefs that: housing is the solution to homelessness; and safe, dignified shelters make it possible for our unhoused neighbors to move through the housing process more quickly, while also improving their health conditions.
This innovative shelter would meet the needs of those who are currently not accessing shelter, including people living in tent communities and people who suffer from complex health conditions. This type of shelter draws on national best practices, input from people currently living outside, and the success of COVID-era hotels, all of which underscore that smaller shelters increase safety and privacy, thereby allowing residents to address their most urgent needs as they work towards critical connections to housing and services. In addition, experience has shown that such shelters are most successful when they have as few barriers to entry as possible.
As such, this shelter should offer ample storage, allow freedom of movement, and employ a harm reduction approach. Some West End residents have strongly opposed the creation of this shelter in their neighborhood, based on concerns mostly grounded in stereotypes and myths about homelessness. We urge DC leaders to ensure that shelter operations are grounded in best practices and local expertise, rather than the vocal opposition of a small group of neighbors.
Over 800 people sleep outside in DC and Ward 2 has the highest concentration of unsheltered homelessness in DC. We are proud that our neighborhood is stepping up to provide needed shelter to our neighbors living outside and strongly support the Bowser administration’s efforts to move this project forward.
