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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm getting worried by the fact that DC is one of three cities that promise unconditional shelter, by the huge price tag, and by the amount of homeless in our neighborhood. Why can't we make DC general.nice? Either rehab it or raze and rebuild? All services consolidated. Separate wings for families and those with higher need? And then focus on mixed income housing, with conditions.and supports, in emerging neighborhoods for families that seek it. To me, you should be willing to work or enroll in school/job training to get an independent living , subsidized apartment. And also be good tenant.
Petula Dvorak sounding off in today's Post...does she live in DC? Pay DCtaxes? [/quote]

There is a very dragged out discussion about that space: http://dmped.dc.gov/page/hill-east-district-redevelopment

I haven't seen anything recent about the status of the redevelopment. What I can say is that working out there, there's a ton of stuff that is just abandoned and not used. Obviously construction projects take time and none of that would happen instantly even if it was green-lit this afternoon.

I actually like the idea of creating a larger facility with services that help families with higher needs. I think you might be confused about what happens at DC General - it's not a general shelter. It's a family shelter. So everyone staying there is a family. There is a women's shelter on the DC General campus as well, but it's in a separate building around the corner. There are services at DC General, but I think that they could be made more effective.

Realistically, though, what you're talking about requires a lot of money and a lot of support that really isn't there. You're also focusing on 2 separate projects: one that "fixes" DC General and one that creates more sustainable housing across the city with supportive environments. It's the difference between preventative care and emergency medicine. There is a major housing crisis in DC at the moment. The Housing Authority is closed to new applicants. Its waitlist is 40,000 people long - that's down from 75,000 in 2013 when they closed to new applicants, and most of the movement was going through the list to see who is still in need of a voucher.

As for Petula Dvorak, she's an opinion columnist. She has strong opinions, which is why she has the job she has. She's not WRONG about most of the things she says, even you find her tone offputting. As far as I know, yes, she lives in DC and pays taxes. Not really sure what that has to do with it. I live in DC and pay taxes and agree with yesterday's column.[/quote]

They have been building like crazy in Southwest DC and Navy Yard, and 30% of the hundreds and hundreds of units being built are set aside as "affordable housing".  Yet that never seems to be counted in anyone's accounting and many other parts of DC are all about NIMBY where it comes to development with very little going on.  I think some of the other wards are due to step up to the plate.  Ward 6 has done more than its fair share.[/quote]

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