Reply to New Ward 3 Homeless Families Shelter Site

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]So this plan does not actually address the scope of homelessness in DC. Keep the DC general site and build a nice, multi purpose center. It is near metro and a school bus could take all the kids to school. Counseling and job placement and computer lab centralized. These shelters are meant to be a transition, not permanent living. I'm super confused by all the concern for location and amenities. These are not mixed income housing which is where the real money should go..isn't the plan for people to move out and up?  Ludicrous waste and so far not backed up by any research anyone has shown. I mean, look at the youth facilities scattered through the city. Mismanaged and youth are constantly fleeing -and they are in 'nice neighborhoods'. Can't see it makes a difference. The focus here should be on management and efficiency. I hate seeing $ that could actually help people being flushed down the toilet.[/quote]

No offense, but isn't part of the rationale for the plan that one Ward or even one neighborhood is not overly burdened by this?  If you build a new shelter, aren't you dooming that neighborhood and guaranteeing that the development the rest of the City has enjoyed will never reach there. That site was a hospital - which is a favored amenity in most places - after that closed, the site became transitional housing WITHOUT significant engagement with the neighborhood on the premise that it was not a permanent use.  I am not arguing the scattering argument.  I am just saying that people are quick to say that a shelter 1/8 the size of DC General will impose burden on their Ward while at the same time being OK with that neighborhood bearing the brunt of the problem  - against the residents of that Ward's will.  [/quote]

I'm not the PP, but I think you're touching on a critical point here that has been making it hard for people to talk honestly about the shelter plan.  Some people keep saying that homeless shelters do not negatively affect quality of life in the neighborhood, and accusing anyone who suggest they might of being discriminatory.

That effort to silence discussion is counter-productive.  Over a few decades, I've lived within a block of a shelter, I've worked at jobs within a couple blocks of shelters, and I have many friends who have too.  In all my life, no one has ever said that the shelter enhanced the quality of life in the neighborhood, or even that it was neutral.  In every situation I know of, the shelter negatively impacted the quality of life. IMHO, denying that simple fact makes it hard to have a conversation about any of the other stuff.

I'm not saying any of that to suggest that DC shouldn't operate shelters, or to say that shelters shouldn't be distributed around the city, or to say people experiencing homelessness shouldn't be treated with dignity and respect.  All I'm saying is that to deny the true neighborhood impact of most homeless shelters is to cloud the discussion.

That's not something I'd feel comfortable saying in open conversation, because it's blunt and callous.  But I think it's truth that we should address openly.[/quote]

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