Reply to DC Permanently Removing NoMA Underpass Encampments

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[quote=Anonymous]I have lived in NoMa or close to NoMa for about 15 years and I am relieved they are doing this finally. I have worked directly with unhoused populations in DC off and on for a couple decades and have lots of empathy for the people living in these encampments. Having been in many such encampments under different circumstances for many years, it was clear the M Street encampment had hit a point of no return in terms of sanitation and public health and it needed to be removed not just for the good of the neighborhood and local businesses, but for the people living there. The steep decline in conditions over the last two years has been alarming. I used to walk through there frequently, sometimes to check on specific community members I've gotten to know over the years. I stopped last year due to conditions. It had gotten overcrowded, the drug use was rampant and obvious, I know Covid swept through that camp multiple times. I was surprised by the local ANC letter (which I did not sign) because while I view city removal of these camps a last resort, this particular camp is the best example I can think of for exercising that option. There are other camps in NoMa that do not pose these dangers and I would fight against removing them unless all residents had housing set up elsewhere. But this one had crossed a line.

I am honestly not sure what the answer is because I've fought against the criminalization of homelessness in DC for years. However, I have to admit that I think part of the decline at this specific camp was due to reduced enforcement by the city. It was also at least partly due to a growing unhoused population in DC thanks to Covid, and we shouldn't overlook that. But I also know that encampment existed for many years with few issues while the city was doing regular clean ups and sweeps (where they post signs and let residents know they are going to clean the sidewalks and clean up trash, and residents can move their belongings for the day while it happens before moving back). That clearly fell by the wayside in the last year. I also know of a number of violent incidents at the camp that resulted in harm to unhoused people either living there or passing through. That's not acceptable to me. Particularly because I have worked with trans and female unhoused persons in the past and know they are often most vulnerable to this kind of violence.

I don't know the answer to homelessness in DC beyond the fact that we need more housing, and specifically subsidized housing that is easier for people to access (the system is absolutely vile as it stands). But camps like this are NOT the answer. No one should have to live like that. I don't understand why any advocates are arguing against removal of this specific camp. It needed to go.[/quote]

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