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Shelter Hotline:
1-800-535-7252
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The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless envisions a just and inclusive community for all residents of the District of Columbia, where housing is a human right and where every individual and family has equal access to the resources they need to thrive.
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Dear Friends,
In just a few short weeks, we will turn our calendars to the summer solstice. It is the point of the year when light holds its greatest triumph over darkness and daylight long outlasts the night.
As we move solidly into summer, we leave behind a season of great darkness. As noted below in our report on the Point-in-Time count, the number of DC residents experiencing homelessness has increased, and as we've reported over the past few months, their struggles have intensified. We had hoped that the heightened awareness that greater media attention has brought to this issue would lead to a deeper investment by our elected leaders in solutions to end homelessness. After all, most councilmembers touted "the homelessness crisis" as one of their top three priorities. Unfortunately, while the Council did add some funding to the FY 2015 budget to make housing more affordable for several hundred District residents, it fell short of responding adequately to the needs of those whom we serve.
As the solstice awaits us, we must move beyond the shadows of isolation and marginalization that public policy and fiscal decisions have been complicit in perpetuating and stand more fully in the light. How should the Council allocate any additional revenues? How do we prepare for next hypothermia season? What should happen to the Federal City Shelter? Or DC General? Or any of the other shelters that are now threatened by pressures of development? As opportunities present, we need you to continue to stand with us as we call for the light of justice and inclusion to shine on all residents of the nation's capital.
Warmly,
Patty Mullahy Fugere
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Task Force offers proposal for re-development
For nearly thirty years, 425 Second Street, NW has been a respite for the weary, a place of recovery and physical healing, a home base for day laborers and swing-shift workers, and a spring board back to self-sufficiency. It has been a constant on the landscape of a downtown DC that otherwise bears little resemblance to the downtown of 1984.
It is that faithful presence that inspires the Legal Clinic's participation in conversations about the future of the Federal City Shelter (FCS), which houses a number of programs that have served our clients through the years: the Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV) Shelter; the John L. Young Shelter; the Open Door Shelter; Clean & Sober Streets (residential drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program); DC Central Kitchen; Unity Health Care and Jobs Have Priority (JHP). The Legal Clinic has done intake at 425 Second Street, NW nearly since our inception, in total opening more than 5300 client matters at our CCNV and Unity Health Care sites.
The Legal Clinic's director is a member of the CCNV Task Force that is chaired by Councilmember Jim Graham and mandated to make recommendations for the future of the property in light of impending development in the neighborhood, the poor physical condition of the property, and the expiration in several years of use restrictions placed on sub-parcels of the block when they were transferred from the federal government for local use. Residents, advocates, service providers, business leaders and certainly Councilmember Graham want to be sure that development decisions are sensitive and responsive to the needs of those who call 425 Second Street home.
After conducting a number of listening sessions with residents of all programs on site and reviewing survey responses submitted by more than 150 of those residents (note: access to residents of the CCNV shelter was severely limited by the Community's leadership), the Task Force's joint committee on Strategic Planning and Community Engagement has recommended a Statement of Principles to guide the development of the property. Key among the principles are these:
- In the development of its parcel at 425 Second Street, NW, the DC Government has an obligation to provide for the needs of homeless DC residents, which obligation attached when the property was transferred from the federal government to DC.
- Any new development should be "build first," i.e. the existing shelter should not be razed until replacement capacity is fully available.
- To respond effectively to the needs of residents, to the maximum extent possible, replacement capacity should be located at the current site.
- Any replacement capacity located off-site should be close to public transportation and ideally located in the downtown, for ease of access to jobs and services.
The Task Force Committee on Recommendations has given preliminary approval to these principles, as well as others that set out in greater detail what new capacity might look like. To see the full statement of principles, or for additional information about the Federal City Shelter, contact the Legal Clinic's director, Patty Mullahy Fugere, at 202-328-5504 or patty@legalclinic.org.
Final Budget
Housing programs still under-funded
The DC Council voted on the District's budget last Wednesday, May 28. Many of the recommendations of housing advocates in the District remain underfunded. The budget as it stands grants $3 million for the Local Rent Supplement Program (LRSP), which will house 200 homeless families, and $2.3 million for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) to be split between chronically homeless families and individuals. Advocacy around the budget is not over yet, however, as the DC Council will be voting on a Supplemental Budget Act in June. Along with the Fair Budget Coalition, the Legal Clinic calls upon the DC Council to commit additional funds to the LRSP program, the PSH program, and to programs that serve DC youth who are homeless.
Point-in-Time Count Released
Family homelessness in DC up 25% since last year
In May, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) released its results of the region's most recent "Point-in-Time Count," a one day snapshot of the region's homeless population that took place on January 29, 2014. According to the report, family homelessness has increased by 25% over the past year (1,231 families, including 2,236 children, were counted as homeless in the District during the January 2014 count). This follows the trend of family homelessness over the past four years. Compared to 2008, there are now 110% more families experiencing homelessness and no indicators that the number will drop next year.
Additionally, Washington, DC saw a 13% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness since last year, with the number of "literally homeless" persons increasing to 7,748.
MWCOG attributes this increase in homelessness to the rise of already high rents in the District without a subsequent rise in wages to keep pace with the cost of housing. The report concludes, "A lack of affordable, permanent housing opportunities remains the most significant and persistent obstacle to ending homelessness" and the authors recommend that additional resources be put into Housing First and rental assistance programs so that futures counts will be much lower.
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Summer New Volunteer Training
Tuesday, June 10
2:00 - 6:00 PM (stay afterwards to mix over refreshments)
Akin Gump - 1333 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
If you or someone you know are interested in volunteering with the Legal Clinic, we encourage you to contact Kaitlyn Uhl at 202-328-1263 or kaitlyn.uhl@legalclinic.org to learn more about our new volunteer training for attorneys and attorney-paralegal teams!
2014 Brown Bag Series
Each month, the Legal Clinic sponsors webinars and meet-ups in which experts present topics of particular interest to volunteers working with Legal Clinic clients.
Social Security: Preparing for a Hearing (webinar)
June 18, 2014
12:00 - 1:30 PM
The core of our work on Social Security benefits cases lies in preparing for a hearing, but the process can be convoluted and confusing to both new and experienced volunteers. Tune in to hear staff attorney Scott McNeilly share his wealth of knowledge about the rather complicated subject of Social Security benefits. Walk away feeling like a pro!
Learning the New Coordinated Entry System for Singles (webinar)
July 23, 2014
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Intake volunteers know that accessing vital services can be slow going for our clients, so how is DC trying to move homeless individuals into the right programs more quickly? Join us for a presentation by Kurt Runge, Advocacy Director for Miriam's Kitchen, about the ins and outs of the District's new homeless services coordinated entry system for individuals and learn how you can advise your clients in accessing these services.
August Volunteer "Food, Fellowship & Justice" Hour
August TBA
After a long day at work, what's better than kicking back for some food, drinks, and fellowship with fellow Legal Clinic volunteers? While we have over 250 volunteer attorneys and legal assistants working hard to ensure justice for their clients, rarely do we have the opportunity to come together informally to network and get to know each other. As the summer comes to a close, be on the lookout for more details of our next volunteer happy hour!
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Volunteer News
Congrats to our Firm Partners and Volunteers!
Congratulations to three of our firm partners on earning the 2014 Beacon of Justice Award, given by the National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Akin Gump, who sends volunteers to Miriam's Kitchen intakes, Dechert, who sends volunteers to N Street Village intakes, and DLA Piper, whose volunteers take Social Security referrals, have all "devoted significant time and resources to creating and implementing innovative strategies to improve life outcomes for America's most marginalized populations." Of course, we already know how much great work they have done for Legal Clinic clients! Additionally, Tim Brightbill, who coordinates our partnership with Wiley Rein, and former board member John Nields have been named to the 2014 DC Super Lawyers Top 100 list. Congratulations, Tim and John!
Client Victories
Volunteer Ahuva Battams from Van Ness Feldman recently helped a client navigate months of bureaucracy to ultimately regain stable housing. The client came into N Street Village intake last September after having been evicted from her housing unit due to non-payment of rent. The client had a long history of disputes with the landlord, who often did not make necessary repairs to the unit. DCHA then threatened to terminate her housing voucher because of the back rent that the client owed. Ahuva worked hard to locate emergency funds to cover the back rent, while negotiating with DCHA to ensure that the client's voucher was not terminated. Last month, DCHA confirmed that the voucher will not be terminated, and the client has found a new apartment. Now that she has a stable home, the client will begin taking classes to further her education. Thanks to Ahuva for her great work in ensuring her client could access safe and affordable housing!
Volunteer Jake Fien-Helfman stepped in at the last minute to assist with a complicated case and ended up helping the client obtain a transfer voucher to move to another jurisdiction, which the client had been seeking for almost a year. Through skilled and persistent negotiations with the client's landlord and the DC Housing Authority, Jake was able to get the client his new voucher, which will enable him to move away from an apartment where he endured terrible conditions and discrimination based on his sexual orientation.
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Welcome all!
Three new law clerks start & volunteer joins staff
 Three summer law clerks began their internships at the Legal Clinic on May 19. Andrea Lewis, who will be entering her second year at Howard Law School in the fall, will be splitting her time between client cases and research. She's especially interested in disability rights. The two Crowell & Moring fellows are Alexandria Powe and Binta Nunnery, both of whom will be entering their third year at Howard Law School in the fall. Alex will be working with the Legal Clinic's Affordable Housing Initiative, while Binta will be splitting her time between AHI and other client work. Welcome to the Legal Clinic! The Legal Clinic is also pleased to welcome Emily Moore, who is working with us this summer to ensure that clients who call the Legal Clinic for assistance secure compassionate and effective representation. Emily is a seasoned volunteer who started volunteering with the Legal Clinic in January 2013 and has since staffed over 20 cases, primarily through the Family Resource Center intake site. Welcome, Emily! |
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Homelessness Actions
Community members call for comprehensive housing plan
As members of the DC Council were embroiled in budget mark-up meetings for the FY-15 budget, large numbers of advocates, providers, homeless residents, and community members gathered in the atrium of the Wilson Building to ensure that the homeless community was not forgotten when the final budget passed on May 28. Speakers at the
 rally, which took place the morning of May 15, discussed the importance of safe and affordable housing for all segments of the population. Each year, funding for family homelessness services is pitted against funding for individuals. The rally was an opportunity to show solidarity among those experiencing homelessness and to call for a comprehensive plan to end homelessness that does not leave any group behind. The rally also featured an exhibit of photographs of homeless and formerly homeless residents of the District, with powerful captions, including "Don't forget about us" and "Since getting housing, I have a chance to be a father again." The photo exhibit was sponsored by Fair Budget Coalition, The Way Home campaign, People for Fairness Coalition, and Helping Families Home. It hung in the Wilson Building the rest of the day.  On Friday, May 23, Fair Budget Coalition sponsored a rally to highlight the growing income disparities in the District. Speakers highlighted the importance of funding programs for affordable housing and adult education, and after the rally groups of community members and advocates spoke with Council members about the importance of providing funding for District residents struggling to make ends meet as the city gentrifies. The rally was the final event this budget season to call for a fair and inclusive budget in DC. |
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What's Happening on the Web
Recent Blog Highlights
A Sense of Urgency About Family Homelessness
(May 15) As DC Council expresses plans to close DC General by the end of 2014, the Legal Clinic explains how DC General cannot shutter its doors before adequate replacement units are found for families facing homelessness.
It's Everyone's Job to End Homelessness
(May 13) Housing is so much more than a roof over your head; housing means the ability to hold down a job, stay healthy and safe, succeed in school, and maintain a stable family unit.
Helping Families Home
(May 12) Only actions taken now can ensure that DC does not face another crisis of family homelessness when next winter hits. Read more about five key recommendations for improvement of the family shelter system.
Click here to get new blog posts delivered straight to your inbox!
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Odds and Ends
First ICH Director Appointed
Kristy Greenwalt took office as the District's first Director of the Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) on April 28. The ICH, established in 2005, is a group of cabinet-level leaders, providers of homeless services, advocates, homeless and formerly homeless leaders that come together to inform and guide the District's strategies and policies for meeting the needs of individuals and families who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless in the District of Columbia. Kristy comes to the ICH after working at the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and ICF International, and has partnered with HUD and the VA on various projects. She has cross-sector experience at the national and District level. The Legal Clinic welcomes Kristy Greenwalt and looks forward to working with her to end homelessness in the District!
Staff Attorney Speaks on News Investigation of DC General
Marta Beresin, who case counsels for the Family Resource Center and works on policy solutions for family homelessness, spoke on Fox 5 News on Wednesday, May 14, in response to the news channel's
 investigation of conditions at DC General. Click here to watch Marta discuss why the District's focus should be on providing viable options for families experiencing homelessness rather than blaming families for being at DC General in the first place.
For more information on DC General, check out last week's Metro Connection on WAMU. |
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On June 19, the Legal Clinic will participate in a 24-hour online giving campaign encouraging community members to "give where they live."
As you know, your donation will assure that we can be present to our clients when they need us most, helping them to secure disability benefits, challenge unlawful shelter denials or expulsions, access affordable housing and much more.
Your gift will help to make justice a reality for those who have no place to call home.
To learn how you can be a part of the Do More 24 Campaign stay tuned to
www.legalclinic.org and www.facebook.com/legalclinicforthehomeless
Or just visit us on June 19 at this link:
https://domore24.org/#npo/washington-legal-clinic-for-the-homeless-inc
Spread the word to your family, friends and colleagues. The more who "Do More" the greater the justice we can achieve. Many thanks for your support!
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Want to learn more? Join us online!
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