Homelessness Up 10 Percent in DC, Down 4 Percent in Region Since 2009

The DC region has seen a decline in homelessness between 2009 and 2013, but a new report from of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) raised concerns that sequestration cuts could impact grants that fund the region’s homelessness reduction programs and reverse recent progress.

In the District, there was an overall 10 percent increase in homelessness between 2009 and 2013, though there were fewer homeless people in 2013 than in 2012, based on the 2013 Point-in-Time Enumeration.

The Georgetown Ministry Center participated once again in this year's count, which took place over night Jan. 30. Volunteers count and survey unsheltered homeless individuals on the street in Georgetown and throughout DC.

During the 2013 enumeration, the total count of literally homeless individuals in metropolitan Washington was 11,547 in 2013, down 2.4 percent overall from last year.

According to the report, Homelessness in Metropolitan Washington, released by the Council of Governments last week, three key factors contributed to the year-over-year decrease in homlessness:

• The significant increase in the number of formerly homeless persons in permanent supportive housing;

• The positive impact of shelter diversion and homeless prevention programs;

• The need to sustain successes brought by federal Rapid Re-housing funds.

Many of the above programs receive federal grants that are threatened under the sequestration that went into effect in March.

According to the COG report, "The effect of the federal budget sequestration, which was implemented in March of 2013, has frozen or reduced the available number of vouchers and is already beginning to negatively affect the most vulnerable populations. Without a restoration of funds for HUD’s Emergency Solutions grants, Shelter Plus Care grants, vouchers and other subsidized housing options, the gains produced in the past four years are at great risk of being lost."

In the District, Councilmembers Mary M. Cheh (D – Ward 3) and Jim Graham (D – Ward 1) recently circulated a memo to their Council colleagues, entitled  “A Commitment and Investment to End Homelessness.”

The two set forth a three-pronged approach to accomplishing their goal: "dedicate substantial funding, establish a concrete plan with a definite time-frame for success, and create a directorship focused specifically on this issue."

“We are deeply concerned about homelessness in the District,” said Councilmembers Cheh and Graham. “In a growing, thriving city like ours, there is no excuse for allowing individuals, families, and children to live on the street, in a car, or without a home. This is the right thing to do.”

The two believe some of the funding could be set aside in the FY2014 budget, currently under consideration by the District Council.

In the meantime, local organizations including the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) are creating ways to help the homeless in Georgetown. Last year the Taste of Georgetown raised more than $25,000 for the Georgetown Ministry Center.

This year's annual Taste of Georgetown event will bring together area restaurants for a culinary fair on June 1 to benefit the Georgetown Ministry Center. The event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wisconsin Avenue south of M Street. Tickets are available online.