What is with all the homeless tents in DC?

[Anonymous]

It's not housing, it's not money. What is missing is the will to help the mentally ill who can't help themselves, even if they don't want to get the needed help, because they are a danger to themselves and others.
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[Anonymous]

Yep. Who do we put pressure on for this? I don't even know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not housing, it's not money. What is missing is the will to help the mentally ill who can't help themselves, even if they don't want to get the needed help, because they are a danger to themselves and others.
.

+1

And a terrible rise in use of opioids and meth. See recent Atlantic article on the appearance of psychosis in many, many meth users. We absolutely need more in-patient treatment centers.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/11/the-new-meth/620174/

I would argue that just living on the street should meet the definition of being a danger to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. I have a sibling who is mentally ill. If my parents didnt support him and ensure he had a place to live, he would probably become homeless. He will never agree to see a psychologist and as he is a grown man there is nothing we can do to make him go. It is so frustrating. Fortunately he is not a danger to us or himself, except wont get vaccinated and harbors delusions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not housing, it's not money. What is missing is the will to help the mentally ill who can't help themselves, even if they don't want to get the needed help, because they are a danger to themselves and others.
.

+1. I’m a social worker who has worked with the homeless population and this point cannot be stressed enough. Yes there are homeless people who have just had bad luck and are working but can’t afford housing. These people are often “couch surfing”, living in their cars, etc. and can benefit from affordable housing, educational opportunities, and employment resources.

The chronically homeless people living in tent encampments are not these people. They generally are living with incapacitating mental health issues and often addiction. It would be expensive to institutionalize these people and provide them with necessary medications, healthcare, and treatment which is why the issue is avoided by politicians. It bothers me that politicians often tout “affordable housing” and “more jobs” as fixes for this issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not housing, it's not money. What is missing is the will to help the mentally ill who can't help themselves, even if they don't want to get the needed help, because they are a danger to themselves and others.
.

+1. I’m a social worker who has worked with the homeless population and this point cannot be stressed enough. Yes there are homeless people who have just had bad luck and are working but can’t afford housing. These people are often “couch surfing”, living in their cars, etc. and can benefit from affordable housing, educational opportunities, and employment resources.

The chronically homeless people living in tent encampments are not these people. They generally are living with incapacitating mental health issues and often addiction. It would be expensive to institutionalize these people and provide them with necessary medications, healthcare, and treatment which is why the issue is avoided by politicians. It bothers me that politicians often tout “affordable housing” and “more jobs” as fixes for this issue.

Agreed.

Which is why allowing tent communities in densely populated areas is not the solution. These should absolutely be cleared out. There is one in Southeast DC under the 695 overpass on 6th street. It has grown quite a bit over the past year. Sidewalks are just not a place where people should be allowed to camp out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not housing, it's not money. What is missing is the will to help the mentally ill who can't help themselves, even if they don't want to get the needed help, because they are a danger to themselves and others.
.

+1. I’m a social worker who has worked with the homeless population and this point cannot be stressed enough. Yes there are homeless people who have just had bad luck and are working but can’t afford housing. These people are often “couch surfing”, living in their cars, etc. and can benefit from affordable housing, educational opportunities, and employment resources.

The chronically homeless people living in tent encampments are not these people. They generally are living with incapacitating mental health issues and often addiction. It would be expensive to institutionalize these people and provide them with necessary medications, healthcare, and treatment which is why the issue is avoided by politicians. It bothers me that politicians often tout “affordable housing” and “more jobs” as fixes for this issue.

Agreed.

Which is why allowing tent communities in densely populated areas is not the solution. These should absolutely be cleared out. There is one in Southeast DC under the 695 overpass on 6th street. It has grown quite a bit over the past year. Sidewalks are just not a place where people should be allowed to camp out.

pp. I agree. But these encampments will continue to pop up until there is a major overhaul of how we address mental health and addiction. It is going to be expensive for major cities but it’s crucial. Personally, I am pro institutionalization and I do believe it to be the more humane approach.

[Anonymous]

Where were all of these people 4-5 years ago?

I'm curious if the tent communities are actually because of covid (changes in homeless shelter availability, lost jobs, inability to pay rent, etc.) or if this is just taking advantage of looser enforcement in the past few years?

Are the homeless coming here purposefully from other locations because they know they won't be removed? I've heard really sad stories about some great cities out west that were really overrun with this situation, leading to unsanitary conditions and unsafe conditions for everyone - both the people living in the tent communities and those in housing or working around them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not housing, it's not money. What is missing is the will to help the mentally ill who can't help themselves, even if they don't want to get the needed help, because they are a danger to themselves and others.
.

+1. I’m a social worker who has worked with the homeless population and this point cannot be stressed enough. Yes there are homeless people who have just had bad luck and are working but can’t afford housing. These people are often “couch surfing”, living in their cars, etc. and can benefit from affordable housing, educational opportunities, and employment resources.

The chronically homeless people living in tent encampments are not these people. They generally are living with incapacitating mental health issues and often addiction. It would be expensive to institutionalize these people and provide them with necessary medications, healthcare, and treatment which is why the issue is avoided by politicians. It bothers me that politicians often tout “affordable housing” and “more jobs” as fixes for this issue.

Agreed.

Which is why allowing tent communities in densely populated areas is not the solution. These should absolutely be cleared out. There is one in Southeast DC under the 695 overpass on 6th street. It has grown quite a bit over the past year. Sidewalks are just not a place where people should be allowed to camp out.

pp. I agree. But these encampments will continue to pop up until there is a major overhaul of how we address mental health and addiction. It is going to be expensive for major cities but it’s crucial. Personally, I am pro institutionalization and I do believe it to be the more humane approach.

It needs to be addressed at the federal level. If it’s local or state then caring localities will get overrun by folks from Pull Yourself Up By Your Bootstraps (but we love God) states who do nothing for their vunerable populations. Or worse, criminalize mental illness/addiction. This will never happen because too many people think that’s a GOVERNMENT HANDOUT, don’t raise my taxes to help those people. But of course our taxes are paying police to arrest them and prisons to jail.

This country has So. Much. Money. But we’d rather let Jeff Bezos burn it than tax him appropriately to make this a place where all of us feel safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where were all of these people 4-5 years ago? [b]

I'm curious if the tent communities are actually because of covid (changes in homeless shelter availability, lost jobs, inability to pay rent, etc.) or if this is just taking advantage of looser enforcement in the past few years?

[/b]Are the homeless coming here purposefully from other locations because they know they won't be removed?[b] I've heard really sad stories about some great cities out west that were really overrun with this situation, leading to unsanitary conditions and unsafe conditions for everyone - both the people living in the tent communities and those in housing or working around them.

This. Is there suddenly TONS more mental illness now than 5 years ago?? Or are they just taking advantage of the fact that the city is empty (relatively speaking) with all the remote work so they can set up a tent city anywhere and won't be asked to move. Because before these things used to exist "out of sight" (relatively speaking) under overpasses etc. No reason they need to exist smack in front of Union Station so it's the first thing you see when visiting the nations capital. AND more importantly will these people be asked to move on when the city resumes some type of normal operation - which evidently will be never since everyone wants to remote work forever but that's a different issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where were all of these people 4-5 years ago? [b]

I'm curious if the tent communities are actually because of covid (changes in homeless shelter availability, lost jobs, inability to pay rent, etc.) or if this is just taking advantage of looser enforcement in the past few years?

[/b]Are the homeless coming here purposefully from other locations because they know they won't be removed?[b] I've heard really sad stories about some great cities out west that were really overrun with this situation, leading to unsanitary conditions and unsafe conditions for everyone - both the people living in the tent communities and those in housing or working around them.

This. Is there suddenly TONS more mental illness now than 5 years ago?? Or are they just taking advantage of the fact that the city is empty (relatively speaking) with all the remote work so they can set up a tent city anywhere and won't be asked to move. Because before these things used to exist "out of sight" (relatively speaking) under overpasses etc. No reason they need to exist smack in front of Union Station so it's the first thing you see when visiting the nations capital. AND more importantly will these people be asked to move on when the city resumes some type of normal operation - which evidently will be never since everyone wants to remote work forever but that's a different issue.

+ 100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where were all of these people 4-5 years ago? [b]

I'm curious if the tent communities are actually because of covid (changes in homeless shelter availability, lost jobs, inability to pay rent, etc.) or if this is just taking advantage of looser enforcement in the past few years?

[/b]Are the homeless coming here purposefully from other locations because they know they won't be removed?[b] I've heard really sad stories about some great cities out west that were really overrun with this situation, leading to unsanitary conditions and unsafe conditions for everyone - both the people living in the tent communities and those in housing or working around them.

This. Is there suddenly TONS more mental illness now than 5 years ago?? Or are they just taking advantage of the fact that the city is empty (relatively speaking) with all the remote work so they can set up a tent city anywhere and won't be asked to move. Because before these things used to exist "out of sight" (relatively speaking) under overpasses etc. No reason they need to exist smack in front of Union Station so it's the first thing you see when visiting the nations capital. AND more importantly will these people be asked to move on when the city resumes some type of normal operation - which evidently will be never since everyone wants to remote work forever but that's a different issue.

Well, yes, enforcement is way down, but debilitating drug use is up, and the border is open for more supply to flood in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where were all of these people 4-5 years ago? [b]

I'm curious if the tent communities are actually because of covid (changes in homeless shelter availability, lost jobs, inability to pay rent, etc.) or if this is just taking advantage of looser enforcement in the past few years?

[/b]Are the homeless coming here purposefully from other locations because they know they won't be removed?[b] I've heard really sad stories about some great cities out west that were really overrun with this situation, leading to unsanitary conditions and unsafe conditions for everyone - both the people living in the tent communities and those in housing or working around them.

This. Is there suddenly TONS more mental illness now than 5 years ago?? Or are they just taking advantage of the fact that the city is empty (relatively speaking) with all the remote work so they can set up a tent city anywhere and won't be asked to move. Because before these things used to exist "out of sight" (relatively speaking) under overpasses etc. No reason they need to exist smack in front of Union Station so it's the first thing you see when visiting the nations capital. AND more importantly will these people be asked to move on when the city resumes some type of normal operation - which evidently will be never since everyone wants to remote work forever but that's a different issue.

Well, yes, enforcement is way down, but debilitating drug use is up, and the border is open for more supply to flood in.

Like the Mexican border? Hate to break it to you but whenever I see the drugged out guy pissing in the street - he's a black guy or a white guy. Have yet to see a Hispanic guy nor an entire family living in a tent speaking Spanish. I'm not saying some of those people aren't homeless - but they aren't residents of the DC tent cities; they are likely still in Texas etc. AND are more the types who couch surf with long lost relatives until one of them can get an under the table job, they tend not to be completely drugged, wasted, and lying in the street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where were all of these people 4-5 years ago? [b]

I'm curious if the tent communities are actually because of covid (changes in homeless shelter availability, lost jobs, inability to pay rent, etc.) or if this is just taking advantage of looser enforcement in the past few years?

[/b]Are the homeless coming here purposefully from other locations because they know they won't be removed?[b] I've heard really sad stories about some great cities out west that were really overrun with this situation, leading to unsanitary conditions and unsafe conditions for everyone - both the people living in the tent communities and those in housing or working around them.

This. Is there suddenly TONS more mental illness now than 5 years ago?? Or are they just taking advantage of the fact that the city is empty (relatively speaking) with all the remote work so they can set up a tent city anywhere and won't be asked to move. Because before these things used to exist "out of sight" (relatively speaking) under overpasses etc. No reason they need to exist smack in front of Union Station so it's the first thing you see when visiting the nations capital. AND more importantly will these people be asked to move on when the city resumes some type of normal operation - which evidently will be never since everyone wants to remote work forever but that's a different issue.

Well, yes, enforcement is way down, but debilitating drug use is up, and the border is open for more supply to flood in.

And why is enforcement down? Are the police not enforcing because of the defund movement? Is it too big a problem for them to address at this point? Did the laws change to allow this sort of temporary set up? Is it a temporary situation because of covid that it isn't being addressed?

I do not want DC to turn into Portland.

[Anonymous]

I also do not want DC to turn into Portland. This is a really important goal. How can we accomplish it?