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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,
As summer draws to a close, we pause to reflect on the months that have flown by and to plan for the challenging times that lie before us. This summer was not nearly as punishing heat-wise as recent Washington summers have been. There were a handful of hyperthermia alert days, which triggered additional resources being made available for DC residents, both homeless and housed. The distribution of water and fans and the opening of cooling centers were key in keeping people safe during the hottest summer days. Thankfully, those days were relatively few in number.
For many of us, thoughts in early September turn to "back to school." Keeping up with academics can be particularly challenging for our clients, as it's not easy to do homework without a home. Parents who are scrambling to find a place for their family to stay may find it hard to supervise their children's work or participate in school meetings, or attend classes as they seek to further their own education. The solution, in large measure, is simple: more affordable housing. From a safe, affordable, permanent home base, the chances for academic success increase many-fold.
As we look beyond "back to school," our thoughts of course turn to the coming winter. Earlier this week, the DC Interagency Council on Homelessness adopted the 2014-2015 Winter Plan. Our every hope is that the District will be better prepared to address the needs of families who have no place to call home. We are committed to standing with these families to assure that their right to shelter in freezing temperatures is honored. To do that, we are counting on the support and partnership of our many friends in the community. We hope to have you by our side in this important work.
Warmly,
Patty Mullahy Fugere
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Plans progress for redevelopment of Federal City Shelter Building
Early this summer, we reported on the work of the CCNV Task Force. The Task Force was charged by the mayor and DC Council with developing recommendations for the future of the various programs that are located at the Federal City Shelter (FCS), programs that provide vital supports for neighbors experiencing homelessness. After gathering input from those residents through a survey and listening sessions and considering demographic information from the various programs on-site, the Task Force developed a set of principles to guide the future development of the FCS property. The recommended principles were formally adopted by the Task Force in June. In July, Councilmember Jim Graham, who chaired the Task Force, introduced legislation to amend the Homeless Services Reform Act to incorporate the recommendations. The Council will hold a hearing on the proposal this fall. This property is adjacent to the Capitol Crossing development, which will cap the 395 freeway near the US Tax Court and Georgetown University Law Center.
Ban the Box
DC votes to eliminate some barriers to employment
Individuals with a criminal record applying for a job in DC will no longer need to check the box on an employment application asking whether they have ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime. On July 14, the DC Council voted unanimously to pass the Fair Criminal Records Screening Act - commonly referred to as "ban the box" - which prohibits most employers from asking about a potential employee's criminal record during the application process. Employers may inquire after the initial offer of employment, but the legislation ensures that individuals with a record are not unfairly screened out of the application process.
Given that greater access to the jobs for which our clients are qualified could mean the difference between being housed and being homeless, and individuals with criminal records face extraordinary barriers to employment, the Legal Clinic is excited to see that the "ban the box" legislation has passed DC Council.
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New Volunteer Training
October 9, 2014
11:45 - 4:00 PM
Arent Fox (1717 K Street, NW)
If you are an attorney looking to increase access to justice in the District, consider attending our next New Volunteer Training for attorneys and attorney-paralegal teams! Email kaitlyn.uhl@legalclinic.org to register.
Volunteer Appreciation Reception
October 30, 2014
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Crowell & Moring (1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW)
Volunteers are necessary to the very functioning of the Legal Clinic. Join us for a celebration of your hard work and dedication over the past year! Volunteers, family & friends are all welcome to attend the celebration. Brief remarks and presentation of awards will take place at 7 PM.
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.
Cuts and Changes to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
September 16, 2014
12:00 - 1:30 PM
McDermott Will & Emery (500 North Capitol Street, NW)
TANF extensions are set to expire in October, which means many of our clients will see their benefits decrease. Join ESA Special Assistant Brian Campbell and Legal Clinic staff attorney Becky O'Brien for an explanation of the TANF program and how to advise your clients on exemptions for which they may qualify. Attendees are invited to bring their lunch.
Right to Shelter in Hypothermia Season
October 2014, TBA
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Cooler weather means winter is just around the corner. Tune in to learn about DC's right to shelter in hypothermic conditions and resources available to individuals and families through DC's winter plan.
What to Expect at the Office of Administrative Hearings
November 2014, TBA
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Join the Legal Clinic for an in-depth look at the Office of Administrative Hearings.
Disability Rights and the ADA December 2014, TBA 12:00 - 1:00 PM Tune in as staff attorney Amber Harding delves into disability rights here in DC, reasonable accommodations, and other sections of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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Welcome, Dea!
New Case Counseling Attorney Joins Legal Clinic Staff
Dea Lott joined the Legal Clinic as its newest staff attorney on July 21.  Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, Dea recently moved to the District to continue her public interest law career. After graduating from Indiana University McKinney School of Law, Dea was an attorney with Indiana Legal Services, then worked as an attorney-advisor for the Social Security Administration in the ALJ Office. While in Indianapolis, Dea also served as the director of a legal assistance project through her alma mater.
Dea will be case counseling the Unity Health Care intake site, assisting with advocacy efforts, and helping to improve the volunteer program. We are very excited to welcome her to the Legal Clinic staff!
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Volunteer News
Webinar Training on Coordinated Entry System
On July 23, Kurt Runge, the Advocacy Director at Miriam's Kitchen, gave a webinar presentation for Legal Clinic volunteers on DC's new Coordinated Entry System (CES) for homeless singles. Kurt and many others in the DC social services community have been meeting for the past two years to establish this system for connecting homeless individuals with much-needed resources.
Kurt's presentation touched on the previously disjointed system for placing individuals experiencing homelessness into housing. For years, clients in need of affordable housing and supportive programs relied primarily on happenstance to end up in the programs they needed to thrive. Since the CES launched last August, over 1,023 assessments have been completed and 202 homeless individuals have been connected with housing.
What is the CES? Simply put, it is a District-wide computer database. On one end, clients are assessed and matched with the appropriate program (Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Re-Housing, subsidized housing, etc.), and on the other, service organizations can keep track of what housing stock and spots in programs are available for clients. This coordinated system serves clients better by making sure that those who need housing the most (rather than just those that happen to knock on the right door) are connected with appropriate services.
If clients come to intake asking about housing resources, please ask them if they are connected with a service provider that has completed an assessment with them. Many of our intake site partners are trained to complete the assessment, including Miriam's Kitchen, N Street Village, SOME, Unity Health Care, and the Family Resource Center. For more information, visit the Coordinated Entry website. If you have any questions or if you would like the PowerPoint presentation and the Resource Manual from our July webinar training, please email kaitlyn.uhl@legalclinic.org.
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Interagency Council on Homelessness
Advocacy opportunities & the Winter Plan
Every other month, the District of Columbia convenes local government leaders, advocates, social service agency staff, and current and formerly homeless residents to discuss provision of resources for those experiencing homelessness in the District. Among other tasks, this Interagency Council on Homelessness ("ICH") is responsible for drafting DC's Winter Plan, which governs how many shelter beds are available from November - March for singles and families. Staff attorney Scott McNeilly is a voting member of the ICH. In addition to co-chairing the Executive Committee, Scott is also a sitting member of the Emergency Response and Shelter Operations and Strategic Planning Committees, as well as the Shelter Capacity Sub-Committee.
The general meetings are open to the public, so anyone interested in learning more about DC's plans for homeless services may attend. The upcoming meeting schedule is below, and any questions can be directed to Scott (scott@legalclinic.org).
Upcoming ICH Meetings
October 21: 2:00 - 3:30 PM (Location TBA)
December 16: 2:00 - 3:30 PM (Thrive DC - 1525 Newton Street, NW)
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Rec Center Case Continues
Legal Clinic files amici curiae brief in rec center appeal
On Tuesday, August 5, the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless filed an amici curiae brief on behalf of fifteen additional organizations and six law professors supporting the homeless families in Reid v. DC, the class action filed by Hogan Lovells against the District's use of recreation centers to shelter families last winter. The brief urges the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to affirm the DC Superior Court's preliminary injunction against DC's use of recreation centers as emergency shelter for families last winter. The brief asserts that homeless families are entitled to placements in private rooms or apartment-style shelters during severe weather and explores the significant harm caused to children when placed in overcrowded non-private spaces. The DC Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in the case on September 26.
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What's Happening on the Web
Recent Blog Highlights
(July 11) Read the testimony of a grandmother who stayed in a recreation center with her grandson this past winter to learn why the Dignity Act is important.
(July 3) As we celebrate independence day, learn about a Housing First resident who gained his independence through the support of Permanent Supportive Housing!
Click here to get new blog posts delivered straight to your inbox!
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Odds and Ends
Staff attorneys speak at NAEH Conference & gentrification panel
Amber Harding, Disability Rights Initiative staff attorney, spoke on July 29 at the National Conference on Ending Homelessness. The conference is held annually in Washington DC and is sponsored by the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Amber joined speakers from across the country on a panel and community listening session entitled "Addressing Homelessness through HIV/AIDS Housing: What's Working, What's Not, and Why." Amber spoke specifically about the Legal Clinic's work to assist individuals with HIV/AIDS access better shelter and housing for their health needs, as well as the Legal Clinic's advocacy during budget season to expand affordable housing resources for people with HIV/AIDS.
Affordable Housing Initiative staff attorney Will Merrifield recently spoke on a panel about the legal issues surrounding rapid urban development and remedies for gentrification that excludes communities that have lived in the gentrified area for generations. Sponsored by Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the brown bag brought together Will, Yi Chen, who directed the documentary film Chinatown, Lisa Hasegawa from CAPACD, and Silva Mathema from the Poverty & Race Research Action Council.
Civil Right to Counsel Web Resource Launches
The National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel just launched through cooperative effort a website that tracks the status of the right to counsel in civil cases in every state. Those interested can access the material at www.civilrighttocounsel.org. The site features an interactive map that tracks these rights by state; source material from law review articles, studies, and media written about civil right to counsel; and a library of audio and video resources including oral arguments, speeches, public hearings, and panels on the topic. As many of our volunteers have seen, access to justice varies widely based on one's income. This initiative contributes to efforts to ensure that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, has access to counsel in civil cases.
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Do You Play Softball?
Lawyers Pitch In softball tournament takes place this month
Does your firm have a softball team? If so, we invite the team to compete in the Legal Clinic's Lawyers Pitch In softball tournament coming up on September 27th! For the past 14 years, this fun & family-friendly tournament has raised funds that allow us to better serve our clients. Participating teams have the opportunity to play in at least two games and compete all the way to the top. The tournament is a perfect opportunity for your competition-hungry colleagues to stretch out softball season just a little bit longer and enjoy one final at-bat before autumn settles in.
Game day quickly approaches, but there are still several open spots on the tournament roster. If interested, please contact Kathy Clark at kathy.clark@legalclinic.org. We hope to see you on the field!
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Want to learn more? Join us online!
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