Addressing Homelessness in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is one of the most beloved cities in this nation due to its government monuments, significant history and upscale boroughs. However, every city comes with its downsides, and the nation’s capital is no stranger to this reality. By way of statistics, Washington D.C. is known to have homelessness rates two times higher than the national average, with 16.6 percent of its residents living in poverty. As of 2019, a study showed that 6,521 homeless individuals were sleeping on the streets each night. This shocking number is estimated to have grown since these pre-pandemic times, as the virus and unemployment rates have sent many individuals to the streets.

Given this grave number, one might wonder what exactly drove these individuals into this situation. Many individuals have an improper view of homelessness, believing that the entire homeless population ended up in this situation by spending all their money on drugs. While this might be the background for some, it is a far too judgmental assumption to attach to each individual you see on the streets. In Washington D.C. specifically, many people became homeless due to a rise in the cost of living and an inability to afford such costs due to low income. Especially with today’s inflation crisis that is sweeping the nation, it is difficult for individuals to keep up with such costs and continue affording life in the city they once grew up in or migrated to.

With being the nation’s capital, Washington D.C. has a weight upon its shoulders to lead the way in addressing homelessness. The city’s leaders have been aware of this problem for quite some time, only in recent years developing concrete plans to lessen homelessness. Though they have seen some progression, they still have a long way to go. The Mayor recently announced her plan to completely eradicate homelessness in Washington D.C. by the year 2025, but with this being a mere three years away and thousands still bearing this weight, citizens have begun to question whether it is a possibility.

In addressing any issue such as homelessness, these topics can arouse the dreamers as well as the cynical individuals. Homelessness has been a present issue from what seems to be the beginning of time. However, with new measures being put in place, leaders are hoping to begin a movement to end this epidemic of sorts and create a larger cause that will vibrate throughout the rest of the nation’s most at-risk neighborhoods and communities.