06 01 2016

Volume 13: Issue 15 June 1 - 14, 2016

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Voter’s Guide:Subheading text platforms on poverty, pgs 3-7

Political Poemsheading text from our vendor/artists, pg 10

Candidate Forumheading text on tenants’ rights, pg 11

Community Opinions: the election and beyond, pgs 12-13

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oter’s

Guide:

Questions were distributed to every candidate running for D.C. Council or Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Featured answers represent those that chose to participate and are NOT AN ENDORSEMENT.

STREET SENSE June 1 - 14, 2016

3

ELECTION

1 — The availability of affordable housing in the District has been nearly cut in half since 2002. Low and moderate-income residents must spend high percentages of their income on rent. What specific steps would you take to make the city affordable for all of its people?

Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat): I support increasing federal funds for affordable housing. This year Congress passed 19.6 billion for tenant based Section 8 housing and 4.5 billion for public housing. I also am a co-sponsor of the Fair Chance Housing Act to remove unfair barriers for people with criminal backgrounds.

Ward Two Member of the Council Jack Evans (Democrat): I was one of the architects of the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPFT) on the Council and was the driving force on funding it through the deed and recordation tax, ensuring that all the buying and selling of property in D.C. would provide more resources to create and protect affordable housing. I continue to believe the HPTF is the best tool we have to maximize our resources by partnering public dollars with nonprofit and for-profit builders to create more affordable housing in D.C.. We need to be more aggressive in utilizing these dollars to create housing that is truly affordable at 0-30 percent area median income (AMI). Beyond the HPTF, I support strong rent control laws, rental assistance programs, and protection of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act as tools to help keep our city affordable. I was proud to receive the endorsement of TENAC, the leading tenants rights organization in the city, and will continue to fight to keep D.C. affordable.

Ward Four Member of the Council Calvin H. Gurley (Democrat): Calvin H. Gurley served as a member of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Housing. As your next Ward 4 city council member, I will take the boards off all D.C.-owned housing properties and make them available to our patient residents who are on the D.C. Public Housing List. However, our residents on the Public Housing List must come to the polls and vote for Calvin H. Gurley on June 14, 2016.

Ward Seven Member of the Council Vincent C. Gray (Democrat): As mayor, my administration worked to find innovative approaches to address the need for a variety of affordable housing options in the District. I appointed a Comprehensive Housing Strategy Task Force to develop a set of comprehensive recommendations to ensure that the District remains affordable to all who wish to live here. The results of their work were released in a report “Bridges to Opportunity” that outlined a comprehensive approach aimed at meeting the needs of District residents at a variety of income levels. My administration worked with the Task Force to implement their recommendations, which included my announcement of historic and unprecedented $100 million investment opportunities in a variety of affordable housing. I announced 47 projects in which, in the end, we invested $187 million. Overall, we invested $287 million in affordable housing and recommended that the city subsequently invest each year at least $100 million in affordable housing.

Ward Eight Member of the Council Aaron Holmes (Democrat): If we are to preserve the economic and cultural diversity in this great city, we must increase our investment in affordable housing. $100 million is less than 1 percent of the total budget and simply not enough to safeguard the families most vulnerable to the rising cost of housing in the District. If elected, I will work to ensure that we amplify our efforts in the creation of affordable housing, with an explicit focus on those making 0–30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), many of whom live in Ward 8.

At-Large Member of the Council G. Lee Aikin (D.C. Statehood Green): Stop raising property taxes 10 percent or more annually on unimproved housing. Higher minimum and tipped wages. Eliminate the Basic Business License for people grossing under $250,000 a year. You cannot get a BBL if you owe the city $100 or more. Protesting an unfair ticket or mistaken OTR charge prevents getting the BBL and renting out rooms or an apartment in your home.

The BBL costs more than $300 and is physically draining, as an elderly friend learned to her dismay. I would find people to help monitor the proper use of federal housing funds. I’ve written in detail on how D.C. failed over decades to spend $140,000,000 from one Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program. Since HUD has five D.C. can use, how many millions were lost with the other four programs? I’ve also previously written about how Catholic University built a shipping container dormitory. A basic 8’ by 20’ unit with bath and cooking can be constructed for $35,000.

Carolina Celnik (Republican): Affordable housing availability has decreased so much in the past 15 years because the District has not been building enough housing and has made it too expensive to build reasonably priced housing. When we cannot build enough housing to meet demand we cause affordable neighborhoods to gentrify, pricing out existing residents. To fix this we must make our planning and permitting process more transparent and streamlined, steering development towards D.C.’s northeast and southeast. We should also look into public-private partnerships, working with developers to redevelop and increase the amount of D.C.’s affordable units in return for allowing them to incorporate additional market rate units. We also have to take a serious look at our transportation system, improving our bus network to make it quicker and easier for residents to access jobs from more affordable neighborhoods.

David Garber (Democrat): A comprehensive approach should focus on expanding affordable housing with each new market rate development, and do more to protect and improve the District’s public housing stock. When dealing with new marketrate development, as an at-large member of the council, I would support changes to Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) regulations so as to require developers to produce more affordable units and at deeper affordability levels. While public housing provides a tremendous amount of security to individuals and families who earn less than 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), shortfalls in federal funding have limited the D.C. Housing Authority’s ability to improve properties. Where possible, identifying nearby sites as “build first” locations can alleviate issues that arise with relocation while ensuring residents can stay in their communities. Additionally, we can improve what counts as a one-to-one replacement so that displaced residents have a right to return that works in practice.

Robert White (Democrat): I will do the following: A) Rezone commercial corridors to add new “real” affordable housing tracts in areas with good transportation access; B) Provide greater incentives to nonprofit developers that specialize in housing for low-income and working families; C) Hold developers accountable for building the required number of affordable units in new construction; D) Fight for tenants who have been victimized by slumlords; E) Prohibit the sale of tax liens to private parties that unethically push to steal properties from low-to-moderate income homeowners.

TIP: You can still register to vote at the polls from May 31st through Election Day.

oter’s

Guide: Primary Elections 2016

2 — The city unemployment rate has decreased from 7.1% last year to 6.4% now, meaning there are still 24,700 unemployed members of the D.C. civilian labor force. As of January, an estimated 47% of single homeless adults and 32% of homeless adults in families were employed. What specific steps would you take to make training opportunities and higher paying jobs available to all District residents who want to work?

Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat): I am a strong supporter of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for a total of $3,335, billion for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Most D.C. training funds come from this federal law. As one of the four leaders who wrote the recently signed surface transportation bill for roads, bridges and transit, I was able to get $14 million for workforce training.

Ward Two Member of the Council Jack Evans (Democrat): I have long championed job creating projects in the District, particularly projects that prioritize District worker participation and strong union agreements. I’m particularly proud of the arrangement we put together to build the convention center hotel that created hospitality job training programs for District residents and employs hundreds of District residents from entry-level through management jobs. This project was a success because it created a pipeline of job training to actual jobs in the District. I’ll continue to support programs and projects that help prepare all D.C. citizens for gainful employment and prioritize D.C. residents for jobs whenever tax dollars are being spent.

Ward Four Member of the Council Calvin H. Gurley (Democrat): Help me to help you. Our unemployed must come to the voting polls on June 14, 2016 to vote for Calvin H. Gurley so I can re-open Vocational High School to offer and give apprenticeships to our young business students in the fields of auto mechanic, plumbing, electrician, carpentry, welding, barbering, hotel hospitality and nursing.

Ward Seven Member of the Council Vincent C. Gray (Democrat): As mayor, I revitalized the dormant Workforce Investment Council, I worked to restructure and improve The Department of Employment Services (DOES), as illustrated by the One City, One Hire program. Additionally, Career and Technical Academies currently operate out of virtually all high schools in the District. They allow for workforce development to provide opportunities for our young people to develop the skills that will prepare them for 21st century careers and compete for jobs in our fastest-growing sectors. Currently, three areas are focused upon, including information technology, hospitality and construction/engineering areas where jobs are developing rapidly in the District. I will continue to support these programs and funding for these programs, which I believe will ultimately result in more employable and higher paid District residents.

I supported the minimum wage increase and fought for a $10 minimum, as mayor, but the Council voted for $9.50. Further, I support the currently considered increase to $15.

Ward Eight Member of the Council Aaron Holmes (Democrat): Unemployment and literacy rates in Ward 8 are issues that demand vocal support from the council. If elected, I will dedicate time and resources to raising awareness around this issue.

D.C. is an opportunity-rich environment that provides ample openings for intergenerational social mobility and we must prepare all of our residents to take advantage. Skills development, for residents at all levels, expands access for the residents of Ward 8.

At-Large Member of the Council G. Lee Aikin (D.C. Statehood Green): We need immediate efforts to determine local business employment requirements. See question #3 answers. The BBL, see question #1, makes starting any small/home business a nightmare. A required 2 or 3 hour course in proper tax payments shrinks the argument that people are not paying their selfemployment taxes. Vacant businesses could receive city incentives for allowing regular flea markets, even with dedicated kiosks, until development of the property is feasible, like Skyland in Ward 7.

Recently, I shared the shipping container idea in question #1 with a Baltimore Green Party mayoral candidate. Baltimore’s many used containers can cost from $2,000 to $4,000. He proposed a cooperative business providing employment in both cities for selecting, prepping, and shipping, from Baltimore, to designing, constructing and erecting in D.C.. Skills in metal work, building, heavy equipment use, interior design, carpentry, plumbing and electrical could all be taught. Many seniors need trained homecare/nursing help.

Carolina Celnik (Republican): Even though D.C.’s unemployment rate has decreased to 6.4 percent in the past few years, it’s still far above the national rate of 5 percent. This is a direct result of the fact that over the past 10 years D.C.’s GDP growth has averaged a paltry 1.2 percent and over the past 5 years its GDP per capita has actually decreased. We need to make the District more competitive for private sector growth, creating a regionally competitive tax and regulatory climate. D.C.’s income tax, commercial property tax, and corporate tax are all significantly higher than both Maryland and Virginia, making it harder for the city to sell itself as a good place to start or build a business. We must work with businesses to spread job growth throughout the city, especially east of the river, and pair with job training programs to ensure local residents can take advantage of these opportunities.

David Garber (Democrat): As we experience economic growth in the District, it is important to measure our overall success by how we reduce economic inequality. While many policymakers focus on providing millions of dollars to manage homelessness, it is important that we do more to address the root causes of homelessness. Investing in housing solutions so that people who are experiencing homelessness have a pathway to permanent housing will be a priority of mine as your at-large councilmember. Additionally, increasing the economic security through employment assistance and job training will go a long way to reduce the likelihood of returning to homelessness.

Robert White (Democrat): I am incredibly angry that my opponent, Vincent Orange, has failed to do his job on the council. He is responsible for oversight of the jobs program, and he has failed us all. There are TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS in federal job training grants that are at risk of being pulled from the District because of mismanagement and a failure to put the funds to use. Those dollars could be used to give the unemployed, and underemployed, new skills that help them get back on their feet. But Vincent Orange hasn’t done the work. IF you elect me, I promise to spend that money and work tirelessly to turn the jobs program around. I want to help you get the skills you need to be qualified for the kind of jobs you want, and the kind of stability that will get you on your feet.

TIP: Early voting started Tuesday, May 31, in the Early Voting Center located at One Judiciary Square. Hours are 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m., seven days a week. Eight additional sites will begin operation June 4 - 11. Call the Board of Elections (1-866-DC-VOTES) or visit www.dcboee.org/ev for details.

These five questions were distributed to every candidate running for D.C. Council or as the District’s Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. They were relayed via the candidates’ contact information registered with the D.C. Board of Elections. One workweek was allowed for response time. The answers featured below represent those that chose to participate and is NOT AN ENDORSEMENT ON BEHALF OF STREET SENSE.

STREET SENSE June 1 - 14, 2016

5

ELECTION

3 — Just over 50,000 District residents above the age of 25 do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Even more read below functional literacy levels. These segments of the District’s population are disproportionately unemployed and systematically left out of the economic development of the city. What specific steps would you take to help adults in D.C. bridge that opportunity gap now, and to help youth avoid it in the future?

Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives

Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat): See answer for second question.

Ward Two Member of the Council Jack Evans (Democrat): The job training programs we put in place with the convention center hotel focused on both job skills and life skills to help as many District residents as possible. We need to ensure we create employment training and adult learning programs that address the entire scope of skills that a person needs to learn to get and keep a job. Expanding the Summer Youth Employment Program to include people up to the age of 24 is one way that we have done that.

But we need to ensure we are providing a variety of social services, educational opportunities, and technical skill training to help adults in our city today that struggle to find a job and to ensure our children have a strong support system for their future.

Ward Four Member of the Council Calvin H. Gurley (Democrat): As the next Ward 4 councilmember I am willing to do all that I and my office can give to help turn around the life and career of all District residents who want to better themselves.

But, our residents must be able to change their belief system, to begin to value themselves and be willing to become disciplined for the requirements of job training and to do well on the job.

Ward Seven Member of the Council Vincent C. Gray (Democrat): I believe huge factors in closing the gap are proper job training and education. As previously discussed, I revitalized the dormant Workforce Investment Council and worked to restructure and improve DOES, via the One City, One Hire program.

Additionally, Career and Technical Academies currently operate out of virtually all high schools in the District. They allow for workforce development to provide opportunities for our young people to develop the skills that will prepare them for 21st century careers and compete for jobs in our fastest-growing sectors. I believe that my focus on improving public education, especially early childhood education, will offer current youth a better opportunity to integrate themselves into the fabric – and perhaps most importantly the economy – of the District. We have the most robust early childhood education program in the nation, 80 percent of our 3-year olds and 90 percent of 4 yearolds attend school all day, everyday.

Ward Eight Member of the Council Aaron Holmes (Democrat): By any measure, the opportunity gap between educated and undereducated residents is real. We must take meaningful steps to expand access for the latter. If elected, I will work to improve collaboration between our workforce development and business communities. We must ensure that we invest in companies and development that invest in our residents.

At-Large Member of the Council G. Lee Aikin (D.C. Statehood Green): My dyslexic son needed special education. Having observed this with both my son and my brother, I think early education needs to be handled differently for people living with dyslexia. Why waste many hours annually teaching reading until the eye is ready to do it? (For my son and brother, around fifth grade.) Other skills can be emphasized, allowing a feeling of success rather than failure. Although they both were unsuccessful in school, they are now very good at specialty construction and renovation.

Recently, an employment expert said the most important thing to teach is to show up on time with a smile on your face. We need strong programs of high school vocational education for the modern economy and technological world, as well as useful adult education programs and childcare options. Rather than close a large number of schools in Ward 7 and 8, repurpose them for these uses.

Carolina Celnik (Republican): Far too many people in D.C. do not have a high school diploma or do not perform proficiently in the core subjects of reading, writing and math. People without these qualifications find it far harder to find work and get promoted at work. First, we must support and expand our programs to help adult students to receive their high school equivalency. Next, we have to ensure we can attract and retain top teachers, paying them appropriately for their talent and success in the classroom. We also have to support our school choice programs, allowing families to have a say in where their children go to school. Our charter schools have shown how flexibility can be used to innovate and tailor their teaching to their students; we should look into granting some of these tools to our traditional public schools and allowing them to learn from our charters’ success.

David Garber (Democrat): As your at-large councilmember, I will work to provide additional funding for engagement services that create a network of core supports to reduce poverty. Placing an emphasis on targeted funding for education, particularly for youth who have been incarcerated or who are under the jurisdiction of the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, will reduce the number of youth and young adults who do not have a high school diploma or GED. Having a high school diploma gives people an opportunity to pursue higher education and workforce training and will ultimately lead to steady employment.

Robert White (Democrat): I want to see a D.C. that is inclusive with all of our residents having a chance to participate in what we see happening around us. First, I think we need more and better temporary housing. Second, we need the jobs program working and those funds flowing to help our adults with basic skills and specialized skills - those skills need to match the jobs available now. In other words, we need to get you into a secure home and establish a stable work environment.

For our children, we need to make sure that schools are providing the wrap-around services for the child and the family. And we need to expand the healthy meal programs, too. If we want our kids to learn, we have to make sure that there is more stability in the home – and that they have a home – and that their basic needs are met. Finally, we have to invest more money into adult literacy and programs, like the Washington Literacy Center, that teach adults to read and help them participate in our job market.

TIP: Absentee ballots must be requested by June 7. The request form can be found online (www.dcboee.org/pdf_files/DCBOEE_ AbsenteeBallotRequestForm.pdf) to be faxed or mailed. Alternatively, it may be picked up and filed in-person at 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 250 North.

oter’s

Guide: Primary Elections 2016

4 — There are virtually no public restrooms that are clean, safe and open 24/7 in the District of Columbia. For people with nowhere else to “go,” this can lead to personal distress and embarrassment, dirty streets, or tension between people experiencing homelessness and private business owners/staff. What specific steps would you take to provide for the immediate, basic needs of our most vulnerable residents until city services can provide dignified shelters and exit people more quickly into housing?

Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives

Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat): This is a question for the District of Columbia government. There is no federal jurisdiction.

Ward Two Member of the Council Jack Evans (Democrat): I strongly support the Mayor’s plan to build shelters in each ward across the city. It will help close DC General, but it will also help to create more places for support and service to individuals facing homelessness across our city. I support the idea of a daytime shelter in downtown that will provide public restrooms and other facilities to individuals during the day. I support the idea of more public restrooms for individuals who are homeless, tourists, and anyone else who needs to use them, and I will work with my colleagues to find ways to make this happen.

Ward Four Member of the Council Calvin H. Gurley (Democrat): Our homeless neighbors must register to vote and come to the polls and select the candidate they hope for and believe will work for their best interest. That candidate is Calvin H. Gurley in Ward 4. Why would the current elected officials spend taxpayers dollars to service them if the homeless do not vote?

REMEMBER, “if you don’t VOTE then you don’t count” in the minds of elected officials. The most powerful and respected document or piece of currency that anyone—including people experiencing homelessness— can have in the District of Columbia is a voter’s registration CARD. YOU MUST VOTE to get RESPECT here in the District of Columbia. VOTE for Calvin H. Gurley, your next Ward 4 councilmember.

Ward Seven Member of the Council Vincent C. Gray (Democrat): As mayor I focused on increasing stable, long-term housing arrangements, since emergency shelter must be the last resort. I introduced a plan to further improve our system for serving homeless individuals and families. This plan included moving homeless individuals from shelter to housing more quickly, re-introducing provisional shelter legislation to allow for alternative housing arrangements when appropriate and continuing to invest in affordable housing. As Councilmember, I will continue to support the yearly $100 million dollar investment into developing and maintaining affordable housing in the District. I will work to try to make more public restrooms available especially in downtown areas and by making shelter restrooms available during the 7am to 7pm period when they are typically closed.

At-Large Member of the Council G. Lee Aikin (D.C. Statehood Green): I have heard horror stories about conditions inside the few public restrooms available. With modern technology, it should be possible to better monitor safety and health conditions there. A simple button, “bathroom needs service” would help. Proper funding to clean and maintain is needed.

Meanwhile, I would propose emergency legislation to fund Jiffy Johns for placement in strategic locations until more permanent fixes are made. Local people could be paid a small fee to help monitor.

Naturally, I would like input from those most in need of these services.

I might need to go out on the street for personal interviews. A business willing to allow placement of a portable john on their grounds (in alley for example) could get a tax benefit. If on an appropriate committee, I would ask to hold a hearing. If not, I would encourage another committee to do so.

Carolina Celnik (Republican): Having no 24/7 public restrooms in D.C. is a big problem. Our city’s homeless should be able to have dependable toilet and bathroom access and not need to rely on private businesses and staff. I would support looking into providing 24/7 restroom and shower access at select public buildings throughout the District. However, I still believe the bigger issue is that these people do not have shelter where they would be able to receive more consistent restroom, educational, and medical access. People with more consistent medical access have less need to visit the emergency room which is a far more expensive form of care than a doctor’s appointment. We also need to improve the job training and educational resources available to our homeless and shelter population to give them the tools to get a job that will allow them to move into their own housing.

David Garber (Democrat): Individuals who have access to bathrooms take for granted the perks of indoor plumbing. The inability to use public restrooms is embarrassing and creates a potential public health crisis. While I have never personally experienced homelessness, I want to make sure that individuals without shelter have appropriate bathroom facilities available 24/7. Providing 24/7 bathroom access will help reduce some of the stigmas that people who do not experience homelessness have towards those who do.

Robert White (Democrat): I am 100 percent supportive of dignified shelters with private bathrooms. While there is a lot of attention being given to this issue, I want to see the progress happen faster. And there needs to be more interim options. We talk about closing D.C. General, we talk about the timeline required to get shelters established across the city, but we are not talking about how we can make short-term steps. If elected, I would propose a short-term bill that created more bathrooms and shower facilities that could open fast, and I would propose short-term housing that would begin to move people into clean, safe, dignified environments at a much faster rate than the big plan that is under development.

TIP: The D.C. Board of Elections has stated that all 143 Election Year

Ward Eight Member of the Council Aaron Holmes (Democrat): The safety of the District’s residents should be the priority of all elected officials. If elected, I will support the council’s efforts to stand up facilities befitting residents of the District.

However, the lack of access to stable housing is putting a tremendous strain on our current structure and must take priority if smaller facilities are to be effective.

2016 polling places are accessible and compliant with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). All poll workers are also being trained in how best to assist voters to cast their votes independently. ADA Compliance Assistants have been hired to monitor polling sites on Election Day and all voters will have access to new touchscreen voting machines "designed to assist those with cognitive, dexterity, auditory, and visual impairments," according to a May 19 press release.

Curbside assistance at polling locations and the ability to request a change of your polling place to a closer or more accessible location are also available.

These five questions were distributed to every candidate running for D.C. Council or as the District’s Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. They were relayed via the candidates’ contact information registered with the D.C. Board of Elections. One workweek was allowed for response time. The answers featured below represent those that chose to participate and is NOT AN ENDORSEMENT ON BEHALF OF STREET SENSE.

STREET SENSE June 1 - 14, 2016

7

ELECTION

5 — Since the year 2000, the areas of Columbia Heights–Mt. Pleasant, Petworth–Brightwood Park, and Union Station–Stanton Park have each seen 5,000 to 6,000 Black Americans move away. During that same time period, the areas where Black Americans moved out and areas where Whites Americans moved in are roughly the same. What specific steps would you take to curb gentrification and provide equal opportunity across the city?

Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives

Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat): This is a question for the District of Columbia government, but see my answer for question two.

Ward Two Member of the Council Jack Evans (Democrat): I have sponsored and supported nearly every piece of legislation on the council that lowers property taxes for seniors, individuals who are struggling to keep up with the increased home values in D.C. and all residents in the District. I represented the Shaw community on the council for many people, and we have an expression in Shaw in light of the influx of new residents to D.C. — “if you were here during the tough times, you deserve to stay in the good times.” The city is stronger when we have a diversity of residents and I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the D.C. government does everything possible to support individuals and families that have lived in D.C. so that they are able to stay in D.C. if they choose.

Ward Four Member of the Council Calvin H. Gurley (Democrat): Our Seniors who are homeowners and on fixed incomes must come out to the polls and vote for Calvin H. Gurley so he can protect their homes from high property tax increases.

The District government will also sell some of its properties to lowincome and working class income District residents.

Ward Seven Member of the Council Vincent C. Gray (Democrat): A big piece of ensuring equal opportunity across the city is creating economic development, transportation and safety measures in all parts of the District. Quality schools, proper job training and opportunities are all needed to keep residents in the District. Further, we must take the necessary steps to improve Metro so that residents have reliable transportation between District neighborhoods, particularly on the East End, and large employment hubs. Neighborhood growth is necessary, but ensuring residents are able to remain and thrive is the key to true growth in the District. We need to systematically identify those factors that account for people moving out and seek to solve those issues. One example is a law that I funded in my last year as mayor that would have eliminated property taxes for major parts of our senior population in the city. Despite the obvious merits, the council chose not to approve it.

Ward Eight Member of the Council Aaron Holmes (Democrat): D.C. needs to make a commitment to affordable housing! $100 million spread across the city is not enough to fortify long term residents of SE & NE who have traditionally been renters. If elected, I will fight for the long term residents of this great city.

At-Large Member of the Council G . L ee Aikin (D.C. State hood G re e n): D.C . raises ent ire neighborhoods’ property taxes 10 percent or more annually. When one or two high-priced houses sell with granite counters, stainless appliances, etc. — landlords raise rents. Tax assessments should increase only with inflation, except with major improvements and high sale price. Council should immediately allow the federal Deductions & Exemptions rates putting $85,000,000 back in our pockets annually, not wait until 2020. Make 1 or 2 percent tax increases in upper brackets if needed—not tax cuts—to cover cost. I’ve written about our tax situation in detail, including the improved D-40 and Schedule H, which allows up to $1,000 annual tax pay back. Insist D.C. publicize this benefit, not hide it. Require low-cost and affordable units in new construction, so developers compete on equal ground. Trump’s father got wealthy building blue and white collar housing. Support our builders willing to do that.

Carolina Celnik (Republican): One of the great strengths of D.C. is our communities and neighborhoods. As the city grows, we need to balance continued change with the desire to protect the character and fabric of our neighborhoods. The best way to do this would be to make sure we are able to build enough housing to keep up with demand, so the existing housing stock is not gentrified and remains affordable for residents. The District also needs to improve its bus network, more quickly and reliably connecting residents to job centers. Better bus service has a proven track record of increasing income and opportunities for residents without gentrifying the area.

David Garber (Democrat): Expanding our inclusionary zoning laws, increasing the stock of affordable housing and increasing density requirements will help to curb gentrification by providing individuals with affordable housing options. Additionally, raising the minimum wage and investing in our minority-owned businesses will help create the economic stability and opportunity for individuals to reside in the communities they know and have grown up in. Focusing on policies that ensure people are able to share in the economic prosperity in their communities will help fight against gentrification, and will be my priority as a member of the D.C. Council.

Robert White (Democrat): I live in Brightwood Park. My wife and I moved here five years ago. We’re African-American and we are a part of the changing neighborhoods. I support growth and change, but not at the expense of people being priced out of their neighborhoods or of African-Americans largely being unable to afford home ownership. What I want to do is create more opportunities for everyone to be included.

I want more affordable housing and more funding toward homeownership programs, like the Home Purchase Assistance Program. And I want better oversight and administration of the jobs program, so our people can move themselves forward. I want to see improved stability in our low and moderate-income families. With stability and real economic progress, I believe our schools will finally improve because the parents will be able to invest time and energy in their children, instead of struggling between hourly jobs if they can even find them.

My father is the biggest fan of D.C., and he can’t afford to live here anymore. That’s wrong. I want to fix it.

TIP: Election Day is Tuesday, June 14. If you do not know where your

assigned polling location is, call the Board of Elections (1-866-DC-VOTES) or visit www.dcboee.org/election_info/pollplaces. Remember, do not be deterred by lines. If you arrive during polling location hours on Election Day, that location must remain open until all voters have excercized their right to vote.

The First Verdict

By CJ Ciaramella Volunteer

Photo Essay by Henrieese Roberts Vendor/Artist On May 23, Judge Barry G. Williams acquitted Officer Edward Nero of all charges related to the death of Freddie Gray, 25, due to injuries incurred while being transported, shackled and unsecured, in a police van in April 2015. Nero had faced four charges from the State’s Attorney of Baltimore City, including assault. The other five officer’s involved are scheduled for trials ranging between June 6 and September 6, including the only officer charged with murder, Caesar R. Goodson Jr. The Baltimore Sun relased the case’s entire transcript. Here is an excerpt of Judge Williams’ conclusion: “The court is not satisfied that the state has shown that the defendant had a duty to seat belt Mr. Gray, and if there was a duty, that the defendant was aware of the duty. This court finds that the state has failed to meet its burden to show that the defendant corruptly failed to do an act required.The court also finds that, under the facts presented, accomplice liability does not apply for the charges of reckless endangerment and misconduct.Based on the evidence presented, this court finds that the state has not met its burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt all required elements of the crimes charged. Therefore, the verdict for each count is not guilty.”

Outside the Community for Creative NonViolence (CCNV), residents of the homeless shelter will now have something fresh and colorful to look at: themselves.

A bright new mural was completed this week as part of a city beautification project that shows portraits of several of the current residents and staffers at the shelter, as well as its late founder, Mitch Snyder.

Last Friday, several of the residents and staffers came out to watch local D.C. artist Rose Jaffe finish their portraits on the formerly drab and graffiti-prone wall between the Mitch Snyder Arts & Education Center and the Federal City Shelter building on 2nd and D Street Northwest.

“Oh, I feel great. It makes me feel like a celebrity,” said CCNV resident Katie Duckett, age 54 (“and I hope to live another 54”), as she watched the mural take shape. “I love to be on a wall for people to walk past. It makes me feel like a star.”

Katie said she has been a resident at CCNV for about six months and is hoping to move up to a staff position soon. All of the staff positions at the CCNV are filled by current or former residents of the shelter.

“Pigeons will love it,” publicity-shy Donald Page joked when asked how he felt about his face going up on the wall. Page said he has been the director of administrative services at the CCNV for about seven years.

As Jaffe outlined the faces of the mural, she told Street Sense she wanted to “draw attention to the increasingly intense issue that is homelessness in Washington, because it’s certainly not getting any better.”

“I think there’s a lot of great murals in D.C., but a lot of them are completely irrelevant to the space they occupy,” Jaffe said.

“I wanted to do something that involved the community that this building has, and Mitch Snyder is such an integral activist, so I knew I wanted something with Mitch.”

Below the portraits is a protest scene showing figures holding up signs with slogans like “Homeless lives matter.”

Snyder staged a hunger strike in the ‘80s to secure the then-abandoned federal building from the Reagan administration for use as a shelter. He nearly died in the effort, but the government ceded control of the space and it went on to become one of the biggest homeless shelters in the country.

Azita Mashayekhi came up with the idea for a mural at the location last year during her daily commute to her job at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters up the street.

“Over time I just thought, this wall was so desolate,” she said. “It’s just a bad scene. I

STREET SENSE June 1 -14, 2016

9

FEATURES

Vets Helping Vets

just thought we could use some color.”

Mashayekhi began navigating the maze of government bureaucracy and got the attention of the Murals DC Project. Nancee Lyons, coordinator of Murals DC for the Department of Public Works, told Street Sense that it was a “perfect wall, perfect location” for a mural.

“We’re trying to humanize the faces of homelessness,” Lyons said. “Everyone has a story of how they came to be where they are.”

However, the story of where the CCNV will go, as well as the 1000 or so single men and women who rely on it for a bed every night, is unclear. As previously reported by Street Sense, the federal requirement that the city use the building as a shelter expires this year, and the space is only mentioned once in a footnote in the D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness’ 100-page report on the city’s

Shelter residents line up for service. |

five-year plan to end chronic homelessness in the District.

The question of why the city is dedicating resources to beautifying the outside of a shelter while the conditions inside continue to deteriorate and its future remains in limbo is unclear. Interagency Council on Homelessness Director Kristy Greenwalt did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

For now at least, the residents of the CCNV will no longer remain invisible in a city otherwise full of monuments and murals dedicated to the faces of the powerful.

“People should be remembered, and that’s the least we can do, to remind people who come here that other people care,” Mashayekhi said. “Sometimes you have to go to the government and push them.”

Photo Essay by Rodney Choice Volunteer On the morning of Saturday, May 28, activists and advocates gathered at the capitol building for the daylong “Summerhaven Stand Down” event for homeless veterans, which included the first annual “March 4 Veterans Rights.” The group marched to the Washington Monument and setup tables for veteran service providers at the neighboring Sylvan Theater. 30 veterans service providers signed on for the resource fair, according to a press release from the nonprofit America’s Vets Helping Vets For Life. “We seek to establish a strong national awareness of the plight of our Nations’ Veterans and the obstacles they endure just to live a normal life.” wrote the organization’s vice president, George C. Horton, Jr. According to the release, these issues include homelessness, unemployment, slow processing of Veterans Affairs claims, substandard educational support, inadquate healthcare and sexual trauma both in and out of the military.

Learn more at www.march4veteransrights.org.

The Street Sense Writers’ Group is led by writing professionals and meets every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. The group’s goal is to develop ideas and collaborate on the next great issue of Street Sense.

VENDOR MEMORIAL: Sharron “Sunny” Chadwick And Then You Should Not Die

By Angie Whitehurst, Vendor/Artist

Quiet is the storm of the humble one.

No one really sees the inside of their soul.

The outside shell, so cool and calm, so controlled and unread.

No one hears, no one peers, no one questions or wants to know: How are you really feeling?

What is the pain that you have, that does not cry, scream, gasp, or moan?

I ignored it.

I let it, with forgotten second thoughts, elapse a away.

Ergo, you must be okay.

What is known is the same ole story: The hardship to shelter. Sheltered paths to housing.

Free air to breathe.

Maybe some H20 and food to eat; if you beat the curfew there, courtesy of Uncle Sam and the donated do-good extra pennies tossed in the clear-my-conscious basket.

Grateful for all of it.

A human just wanting to survive.

A woman, struggling alone, disconnected, with no foundation to stand on and grow.

Sharron, spelled with the two Rs of Royally Real; stood with a quiet dignity and humility, requesting nothing more than what was offered and given. ”Sunny," as many knew her, gave more than she received from our society. Her gift was the quiet acceptance, of the beauty of life and nature.

This she brought to Street Sense, and we embraced her with our open door.

She spoke through her presence and participation She graced us all, unknowingly.

Sunny, leaves us with a clear message: the value of being human is more than a roof and a place to stay. It is sharing, caring, connecting end living together. Let us advocate harder to end homelessness.

Let us find the missing pieces to end the frequent story heard too often: “housed and then you die.” So, I will say on her behalf and all us. Thank you, Adam, Bardia, Brian, Bryan, David, Eric, Jeff, Josh, Leslie, Roy, Shira, Susan, Willie and the Church of the Epiphany for giving us a voice and the might to make change.

A better day, a brighter light will come. Let's make it happen!

Amen.

Sunny Got Blue

By Ken Martin, Vendor/Artist

"People used to love to hear her laugh, see her smile.

That's how she got her name."

I really don't know if that's the case, but I know based on my Sunny experience that it certainly could be.

That quote is from the old standard by Johnny Mathis "When Sunny Gets Blue."

Well I never saw "her eyes get gray and cloudy."

What I saw was kindness and industry, mental toughness and tenacity. A woman that didn't mind hard labor to provide her needs. And I saw her forgive the ignorance of people trying to prevent her from same.

Sunny had a love for growing things be it people, animals or plants. In fact, she often earned money as a groundskeeper. Our first conversations were of our mutual affection for gardening. Working in the sun… Could that be "how she got her name?" I do not know.

This time when Sunny got blue, it was because her rent was unaffordable. She had no help to cover it, no one to share the space and expense and no word on the pending job applications.

"No sweet loving man came to call." Only a landlord. So this time, when Sunny got blue, she could "breathe no sigh of sadness." Because Sunny breathes no more. She is gone. But will live on in our hearts and in the yards of her patrons.

Sunny Chadwick passed away in the hospital on May 2, 2016. She was 59 years young. Services were arranged by her family.

Ballot/Ballad for a Long Life

By Angie Whitehurst, Vendor/Artist

A house, a home, a job and some money make everyone comfy and sweet as a jar of honey.

Self-sufficient, self-contained, socially courteous, civilly and lawfully constrained makes society a place to be maintained.

The other stuff, peripheral to survival, is the fluff of politics and empty plate of no food to eat, just the thirst of power within one’s domain, such a great feat.

The pursuit of happiness should be for all. Housing first, an end of homelessness, calls for questions and votes. Stand tall, think, decide and vote for survival of all.

A Tribute for Hillary

By Kenall Washington, Vendor/Artist

Yes, she has faced some of the hardest times one could.

She had to fight back, hers and our tears. Now she wants to carry our messed up world on her slender shoulders and to face the wright of most of the world’s fears, while Congress stands in silence.

So let’s one and all believe in change forever. Let’s get out and vote. let’s see that beautiful smile, let’s show Trump, the Bushes and the Rubios that this fine and take-charge lady has style. Let her talk her talk, let her walk her walk. Let’s make history with her. Because, if this bad lady wins, it will be the sum of all their blind Republican fears. She will have set a trend that will stay in our past forever.

I believe she stands on what she says and that she will try to get done what needs to be done, for everyone. I do feel she is our girl. Like McCain said against Obama.

I want me a girl in office. But that was the wrong girl.

She couldn’t help this world.

So yes, be very careful as to how you make your choice. You will see she’s the only one who has political prowess and is very much in touch with what’s in this world. She has a voice she knows how to use.

Others have lost their voice. And the rest are selling the U.S. and coming up with alibis. So, never say never. And to the ones that believe a woman can’t do her job, not a man’s job, her job, I say she’s a beautiful, knowledgeable yet gentle flower, ready for our world—the here and now.

Like freedom, her voice and ideas of a better world rings true. She understands people from all walks of life, people like myself: an excon. I was one big-time criminal who gave my life to my God and now I write about that life.

But her trek was hard too, yet she has the best in her heart for me and you.

Prejudice means one does not understand another’s way of life or their trek. We may persevere in every way, yet some still feel they can put roadblocks in our way. They don’t realize that it’s another day and time.

We do things the new way.

SERIAL STORIES TO RETURN NEXT EDITION! Never fear: “After Katrina,” “The Big Fat Rat” and “Star Date: 99995074.9” will return after the election, in what happens to be The Summer Reading Issue!

STREET SENSE June 1 - 14, 2016

11

ELECTION

TENAC Candidates Forum Prioritizes Sick and Elderly Residents

By Tyler Champine, Volunteer

Each election season, the D.C. Tenant Advocacy Coalition (TENAC) holds a Candidates Forum to challenge prospective Council members to protect tenant rights in the District. TENAC promotes its mission to promote rent control in the District in four ways: lobbying, testifying before the council, building local tenant associations, and holding Candidate Forums. TENAC held the candidate forum at the Sumner School, 17th & M Streets, NW on May 16.

TENAC asserts that the 10-year extension of rent control protections in the District is insufficient, allowing rent amounts to be increased too rapidly. D.C. law allows landlords to raise the rent in accordance with the cost of living index, plus 2 percent.

TENAC seeks to restrict these rent hikes, pointing out that landlords in the District are already entitled to a 12 percent annual rate of return under rent control law.

For the many who face high rent costs in the D.C. area, TENAC organizes tenants to hold politicians and landlords accountable for destructive housing policy.

At the forum, TENAC Chairman Jim McGrath told the crowd that “Rental housing is in crisis in the city” and that “there are serious problems with our rent control law.” The stage was decorated with large posters advocating for tenants of the

Washington Home and Community Hospices nursing home, which serves sick and elderly patients in the District.

The posters read “Hey, Washington Home. Please let your patients RECOVER or REST IN PEACE — Don’t SELL!” and “Hey, Sidwell Friends. Be a friend! DON’T EVICT elderly sick and DYING from The Washington Home!”

The audience heard presentations from candidates on the subject of rent control and other tenant-related issues. Candidates for delegate to U.S. Congress, and for the D.C. Council offered remarks.

Eleanor Holmes Norton, current delegate to the House of Representatives who is running for reelection, told the audience that the District faces a great many housing-related issues. Norton cosponsored a bill called the Ending Homelessness Act, which is seeking $13.27 billion of mandatory funding over the next five years to work toward eliminat-

New Ligislation Welcomed by Public Housing Advocates

By Reginald Black, “Da Street Reportin’ Artist” Members of the Empower DC housing campaign and residents of public housing took a walk around the Wilson Building weeks before the first FY2017 budget vote to meet with council members and discuss their budget priorities. The residents have been calling for desperately needed repairs to both occupied and unoccupied units of public housing managed by the D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA). The residents have been requesting work orders for more than six years, some properties haven’t been properly maintained since the 1980s.

In March, At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman and Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1), Charles Allen (Ward 6) and Mary Cheh (Ward 3) introduced a bill that would provide funds for maintenance of existing public housing units. It is a great move by council, but public housing residents still had some concerns regard language within the bill.

One of the first stops on the list was Ward 8 Councilmember LaRuby May’s office. The councilwoman was not in at the time, but the group met with Councilwoman May’s staff. Their main concern stems from a line in the bill that states the repair funds allocated could not be used for properties up for demolition. “We wanted to address line 46,” said Detrice Bel, leader of the Barry Farm Tenant and Allies Association. “Residents have an issue with that.”

“I live in a development on Capitol Hill that is supposed to be upkept, but it’s not,” said public housing resident Robert Lee. He asked if May’s office could seek changes to the language of the bill that would force maintenance people do their job. “We need more accountability when it comes to public housing. It’s like everybody’s looking for a paycheck.”

Lee also described his days as a maintenance worker. “In the morning, we clean up the activity from the night before,” he said. “But after that, when is the work going to get done in the places?”

May’s legislative director, Michael Austin said their office is open to all ideas. “We’re always trying to find what we can do to preserve homes, that includes public housing.”

To Lee, there is no observable sense of urgency on these issues. “These are people’s lives we’re talking about,” he said. “These are the same arguments we present you all the time.” The bill has not moved forward since a notice of intent to act on it was published in the District of Columbia register on March 18.

ing homelessness nationwide. She is also co-sponsor of the Fair Chance Housing Act, which focuses on sentencing reform and would allow those who have committed crimes in the past to benefit from public housing that currently excludes them.

However, she said, “To move any of these bills we’re going to have to change the Congress,” a comment which was met with tremendous applause.

When Norton finished speaking, a Street Sense vendor in attendance asked her why homeless people in the city had been unable to visit her office directly to make proposals for ending homelessness. She promised to meet with him and his group, offering contact information to schedule an appointment with her office.

As the night continued, questions about the Washington Home closure were posed to the candidates. Robert White, at-large candidate for D.C. Council said he would use his leverage as a council member to

bring Sidwell and The Washington Home to the bargaining table, and pointed out that this problem would never have reached crisis levels if there were more beds available for the sick and elderly in the District.

Jack Evans, Ward 2 council member up for reelection, spoke about his interest in preserving good hospice care in the city.

He noted a personal connection to the Washington Home because his wife died in the facility after living there for five years. He agreed to meet with organizers at the forum to work specifically to do whatever possible to save the home, whether as a private or public entity.

Advocates told the audience that “closing homes for the sick and elderly is a disgrace,” and that many of the District’s most vulnerable citizens are at risk of becoming homeless if the Washington Home closes its doors with no oversight from the city government. McGrath declared that individuals “should not be facing eviction at the end of life... Housing is not a commodity.”

Remarks from candidates and advocates were followed by a straw poll of TENAC members, who cast votes for president, delegate to U.S. House of Representatives, at-large member of the Council, Wards 2, 4, 7, and 8 members of the Council, and U.S. Representative.

OPINION

Give the Homeless Their Vote in 2016

We Need More Than Shelters

The 2016 presidential election is turning out to be one of the most significant (and divisive) elections in decades, particularly for low-income voters, with access to health care, the minimum wage and the next Supreme Court justice on the line.

Control of the U.S. Senate may also be up for grabs. Here in the District, six of 13 city councilpersons are up for reelection during a year that is seeing some of the most impactful actions in a long time by the city around the issue of homelessness.

Unfortunately only one out of every 10 men and women experiencing homelessness actually makes it into the voting booth. While court cases over the past 30 years have continually affirmed that unhoused Americans have every right to exercise their vote, significant barriers still exist in many parts of the country.

Nine states have enacted strict photo identification requirements for voters, meaning that a person must present valid, government-issued, photo ID in order to cast their ballot, and nearly as many have passed non-strict photo ID requirements. People experiencing homelessness are among the least likely to possess such identification. Even obtaining the documentation necessary to apply for it can be a serious challenge, both financially and bureaucratically.

Homeless Voter Registration Acts, based on model legislation drafted by the National Coalition for the Homeless, have

With the tragic disappearance of Relisha Rudd in the spring of 2014, the D.C. General Emergency Family Shelter was catapulted into the news cycle. Since then, city leaders have been pressed to pay greater attention to the shelter, and to the growing problem of family homelessness in our city.

With the recent vote by the city council to move forward with a version of the mayor’s plan to close D.C. General and replace it with a new system of smaller, neighborhood¬-based sites, we have reason to hope that a new day is dawning for D.C. families experiencing homelessness.

Even with plans to close D.C. General moving forward, families will continue to reside at DCG for several more years.

Three years is a very long time in the life of a child, and Playtime is committed to providing safe, loving places to play until DC General finally closes. Until then, the facility needs to be maintained and repaired to be livable and safe for all its residents.

Yet we know that addressing the deplorable conditions at D.C. General is only one small step in the work that we as a community have to do in addressing housing insecurity. The sad reality is, more than 1,300 children are currently being sheltered in motels in the District and Maryland. Living in highly constrained conditions, with nowhere to learn, grow, and play, hundreds of families will continue to suffer under re-

By David Pirtle

passed in several states across the country, which, among other provisions, ease registration requirements for prospective voters. However, in most of the country the process of registering to vote remains much more difficult for people experiencing homelessness than other groups.

Logistical concerns also make it more difficult for low-income and homeless voters. The tightening of polling hours and early voting dates in some states has made it increasingly difficult for those who cannot afford to take time off of work to vote.

Just getting to polling places can also be a significant barrier for those who cannot afford private or public transportation.

There are a number of ways that you can help to boost turnout. Contact your local service providers and churches to see which ones provide assistance in obtaining legal documents, and connect your homeless neighbors to those services.

Start your own voter registration drive using materials available on our website’s “You Don’t Need a Home to Vote” campaign page. When voting starts, coordinate with shelters and other providers to help transport registered voters to their polling locations. Together we can make sure that everyone who wants to vote in 2016 has the opportunity to do so.

David Pirtle is the public education coordinator for the National Coalition for the Homeless.

By Micah Bales

strictive and undignified conditions, even after D.C. General is closed.

We owe it to D.C. families to ensure that homelessness becomes a rare situation, not a commonplace occurrence. In the short term, this means paying attention to all the families who are facing housing insecurity ¬not just at D.C. General, but also in the motels. It’s time to work to create dignified, short-¬term shelter for these families, and to ensure that there is a pathway to permanent housing for everyone.

In the long run, we can only end family homelessness by making sure that housing is accessible to everyone, not just those with six¬-figure incomes. Short-¬term shelter for families facing homelessness is essential, but only implementing a long¬-term plan for affordable housing has the potential to create a city where widespread homelessness is a thing of the past. We’re excited that city leaders are moving forward with a new vision for our short¬-term shelter system.

We’re committed to working with the Mayor, Council, and community leaders to identify and implement long-¬term solutions to our housing crisis. Will you join us?

Micah Bales is the Communications and Advocacy Manager at the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project. To learn more about Playtime and how to get involved, check out http://www.playtimeproject.org/get¬involved/

Protect and Preserve the Rights of D.C.’s Homeless

By David Grosso

In May, the D.C. Council took important votes to move forward with the closure of the D.C. General homeless shelter, approving the construction of six smaller shelters in different parts of the city.

These new shelter facilities are designed as short-term housing with wraparound services for families, and will be a dramatic improvement over the shoehorning of hundreds of families into a shuttered, dilapidated public hospital.

Since first coming into office, I have visited D.C. General and other shelters around the city. It quickly became clear that many of them are operating under the wrong model of warehousing people.

They are overcrowded, poorly maintained and lacking the necessary services to help individuals or families experiencing homelessness get back on their feet. Replacing these outdated shelters with smaller, service-rich ones will go a long way toward making homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.

In order to truly reach that goal, however, we must also implement systemic

changes to the continuum of care for our homeless residents. Fortunately, that is happening under the leadership of Department of Human Services Director Laura Zeilinger. Director Zeilinger's track record over the past year speaks volumes, as she is making significant structural changes within the agency and implementing smart policy reforms like year-round access to shelter for families and an improved prevention program. These changes are critical to implementation of the Homeward D.C. five-year strategic plan to address homelessness in our city, created by the Interagency Council on Homeless in consultation with the community.

To pay for this plan, the council enhanced the mayor’s current budget proposal to make an unprecedented investment in homeless services. Part of the investment over the next year will be more than $100 million to fund the necessary facilities to replace D.C. General.

While I applaud the mayor for putting forward a concrete plan to close D.C. General, her proposal relied on leasing

property at sometimes exorbitant rates from private developers – leases that would expire in 10 to 30 years. I worked to identify capital funding during the budget process and reallocated it to allow the government to build on D.C.-owned land or acquire land from developers, rather than using expensive leases. This is expected to save us at least $165 million on the projects, while ensuring long term stability of the sites. One of the sites that we changed to D.C.-owned land was the proposed Ward 5 shelter, which many advocates had also opposed due to its environmental risks and isolation.

It is my hope that Mayor Bowser embraces the council’s changes and works with us and the community to close D.C. General as quickly as possible. We must meticulously track the effort to ensure that these new shelters provide positive and healthy environments and feature extensive wraparound services. We must remember that building the new shelters will not guarantee an end to family homelessness, because there are hun-

dreds of homeless families remaining in hotel rooms. We must keep the pressure on to continue improving how we prevent homelessness. And we must build the housing that families can transition into after a brief stay in shelter while they get back on their feet. This means continuing our financial commitment to the Housing Production Trust Fund, local rent supplement vouchers, permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing and more. We must make good on our commitment to transform the support system for individuals who are homeless, as well.

To me, these are critical human rights issues, and I am glad to see the city take the human rights of some of our most marginalized residents more seriously. I hope that in the coming years, D.C. will be seen as a model for preserving and protecting the rights of families and individuals experiencing homelessness by meeting their immediate and long term needs.

David Grosso is an at-large member of the D.C. Council.

Have an opinion about how homelessness is being handled in our community? Street Sense maintains an open submission policy and prides itself as a newspaper that elevates community voices and fosters healthy debate. Send your thoughts to opinion@streetsense.org.

STREET SENSE June 1 - 14, 2016

1#3

OPINION

PERCEPTION OR REALITY: Shots at the White House

By Robert Williams, USMC

Good day readers - every day we are allowed to open our eyes is a blessed day.

I personally thank my creator, God the Father. One truly never really knows from day-to-day when an unexpected event may take our lives. We live in a world of turmoil and chaos, not to mention a homeless epidemic.

On May 20, shots were fired outside of the White House on 17th Street NW between E and F Streets. I was there, with approximately 100 young Black men from the national organization Black Male Engagement (BMe). Group members had traveled here from various states to be honored at the White House. Before this could even begin, their visit was disrupted by gunfire.

Several Secret Service officers ran towards us and instructed us to run back beyond F Street because shots had been fired. Later I learned that a man had brandished a gun at one of the White House checkpoints at E Street NW, half a block from our location. Despite warnings from Secret Service officers, he had continued his approach with the gun in plain site.

The officers had no choice but to shoot and wound him. Those were the shots we had heard. Did they prevent the BMe members from being honored by the Commander in Chief that day? There was no mention of BMe or these more than 100 young Black men in the numerous news reports following the incident. Could this have been the goal of the disruption?

Readers, please let me know if you find

any other mention of this BMe visit in the context of that incident.

(Perception or reality?)

Black Male Engagement is about real men sharing real stories of community change. The organization seeks to acknowledge the coaches, fathers, businessmen and brothers who do more than their fair

There are positive forces at work within our race, as there have always been. Although, for the most part, that fact has largely been withheld from history (“his - story”). It is unfair to identify Black men solely by their challenges, especially without acknowledging their contributions. Positive organizations like BMe work

This country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and future generations.

—President Barack Obama 2012 Re-election speech share to help others and make our communities stronger. There is a growing number of Black men who make a difference each and every day. They don’t tabulate their contributions in any official or unofficial document. From speaking directly with some of BMe’s members that day, this writer perceives it is done from the heart and out of the necessity to inspire other Black Americans, particularly Black youth.

As far as I can see, this organization upholds the community values President Obama highlighted in his 2012 re-election speech: “This country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and future generations.”

to inform the public and dispel negative myths, profiles and stereotypes about us.

Just as Street Sense desires to share, inspire, connect and empower people, BMe works to improve access to information and opportunities to empower yourself and others. Those empowered this way go on to be the strength of their community and constantly build upon that strength.

BMe operates in Baltimore, Detroit and Philly thanks to the support of The Knight Foundation and the Open Society Foundation’s campaign for Black Male Achievement. They plan to expand to more cities next year.

Though BMe is built around the ac-

knowledgment of the positive contributions of Black men, you do not have to be a Black man to participate. Anyone can name a brother they know is deserving of recognition (we are all Brothers and Sisters in the eyes of the Creator and humanity - it’s not a race issue).

Former winners of BMe leadership awards include a teacher, a Vietnam War veteran, a formerly convicted activist, a Ph.D, an entrepreneur and others.

The project centers around three simple principles: recognize; reinforce; reward.

Founder Trabian Shorters summed it up in a 2012 Knight Foundation blog post: “In your city, there are thousands of great Black men who inspire by being themselves. We are creating an easier way for you to get to know them and for them to get to know each other because, as our newly re-elected president said last week: ‘The role of [a] citizen in our democracy does not end with your vote.

America has never been about what can be done for us. It’s about what can be done by us, together.”

Despite various opinions and antics during this election season, it is imperative that you vote. Trust me, it does count.

To get involved in BMe or name a brother, visit www.BMeCommunity.org Robert Williams is a vendor of Street Sense and a frequent writer who focuses on the treatment of people with unstable housing, especially veterans, in his column Perception or Reality.

MOVING UP: Education Options to Get Ahead

By Arthur Johnson

In the last issue, I explained how not having an education hurts your chances to get a good job or get promoted to a position with potential for growth. There are several different paths you can take to get on track.

You can attend a community college (which is the most affordable option and the least stressful to start) or a trade school or take classes online. If you decide to pursue the trade or technical school route, make sure you research the school very carefully because there are for-profit schools that drastically overstate their graduation stats to sell you on attending their school. Also make certain that with a trade school that you really want to do the job you are training for and also make sure that if you have had any medical problems, you go in a different direction because unlike a college degree, which you can use to go in a different direction than what you studied, a technical or trade school degree is usually

only good for that area, so if you develop medical problems or become injured, you could be in serious trouble.

Paying for college can seem daunting, but fortunately there are many options available to help you cover the cost of higher education. There are Pell Grants, as well as special grants just for students in the District. You can also apply for loans, as well as receive work study. To apply for all the different types of financial aid available to you, you can fill out a free application at fafsa.gov.

If you previously have served in the military, the United States government will help pay for your education. It is one of the benefits that has been helping thousands of men and women who have defended our nation and it always stays funded despite the budget issues in Washington. If you have served at least three years and were honorably discharged, you should inquire about the benefits you are entitled to at the Washington, D.C. regional office of the

Department of Veterans Affairs at 1722 I Street NW. You can also receive college credit for classes you took through the military and also for skills you learned through your service. To look into that option, visit the American Council on Education at One Dupont Circle NW. Another great way to reduce your college expenses and the time to complete a degree is to take CLEP exams. These are the College Level Examination Program exams that if successfully passed, allow you to receive college credits and not have to take the class. That will save you a tremendous amount of money and time. The test fee is $80 but if the tuition at a school is $150 per credit and a class is worth four credits, you save $520. If you were really good in certain subjects in high school, it would be worthwhile to take exams in those areas you are strong in (there are 33 exams in a wide variety of subjects and the credits are accepted nationwide at 2,900 schools).

I mentioned online school but I would only recommend that if you have your own computer and a very dependable internet connection for lessons, research and submitting homework. Also make sure, as with trade schools, to investigate any school you want to take classes from online. Many universities offer online courses, including the University of Phoenix.

Whichever path you choose, make sure to at least get some education, even if it is an Associate’s degree. Today’s job market requires you to compete for even the lowest level job against other people who have completed their degree. Getting an education makes you more marketable, lowers your chances of unemployment and puts you in a new light with employers.

Arthur Johnson is a volunteer writer focusing on finance and economic issues in his column Moving Up.

COMICS & GAMES

Sol’s Puzzle Corner: Logic & Sudoku Curated by Sol Hicks Vendor/Artist

*Solutions on page 15.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

1. Courtney has a camera with fewer megapixels than the scoutmaster who taught the sheep shank knot.

2. The scoutmaster who taught the overhand knot doesn't care for Batman.

Either the scoutmaster who taught the sheep shank knot or the scoutmaster who taught the sheet knot collects anything even remotely related to Spiderman.

The person with the 3.2 megapixel camera taught the sheet knot.

The 5 people were the person with the 2.2 megapixel camera, the Wolverine fan, Tony, the scoutmaster who taught the overhand knot, and the person with the 3.2 megapixel camera.

The Spiderman fan is Braxton.

The person with the 1.8 megapixel camera doesn't care for Wolverine.

Of Madisyn and the Superman fan, one has the 4.0 megapixel camera and the other has the 3.2 megapixel camera.

9. Tony has a camera with more megapixels than Braxton.

10. The scoutmaster who taught the half-hitch knot has a camera with more megapixels than the Wolverine fan.

15

STREET SENSE June 1 - 14, 2016

COMMUNITY SERVICES Housing/Shelter

Food

Clothing

Showers

Outreach

Medical/Healthcare

Transportation

Laundry

Education

Employment Assistance

Legal Assistance

Academy of Hope Public Charter School: 269-6623 | 601 Edgewood St, NE aohdc.org

Bread for the City: 265-2400 (NW) | 561-8587 (SE) 1525 7th St, NW | 1640 Good Hope Rd, SE breadforthecity.org

Community of Hope: 232-7356 communityofhopedc.org

Jobs Have Priority: 544-9128 425 Snd St, NW jobshavepriority.org

Covenant House Washington: 610-9600 2001 Mississippi Avenue, SE covenanthousedc.org

John Young Center: 639-8569 119 D Street, NW

Calvary Women’s Services: 678-2341 1217 Good Hope Road, SE calvaryservices.org

D.C. Coalition for the Homeless: 347-8870 1234 Massachusetts Ave, NW dccfh.org

Catholic Charities: 772-4300 catholiccharitiesdc.org/gethelp

Father McKenna Center: 842-1112 19 Eye St, NW fathermckennacenter.org

Charlie’s Place: 232-3066 1830 Connecticut Ave, NW charliesplacedc.org

Christ House: 328-1100 1717 Columbia Rd, NW christhouse.org

Church of the Pilgrims: 387-6612 2201 P St, NW churchofthepilgrims.org/outreach food (1 - 1:30 on Sundays only)

Friendship Place: 364-1419 4713 Wisconsin Ave, NW friendshipplace.org

Community Family Life Services: 347-0511 | 305 E St, NW cflsdc.org

GAME SOLUTIONS We’ve received a lot of requests for games.

What do you think of the new additions?

Have ideas for others?

Fill out the survey on the next page or e-mail editor@streetsense.org to let us know. Thanks for reading!

Food and Friends: 269-2277 219 Riggs Rd, NE foodandfriends.org (home delivery for those suffering from HIV, cancer, etc)

Foundry Methodist Church: 332-4010 1500 16th St, NW foundryumc.org/ministry-opportunities ID (FRIDAY 9-12 ONLY)

Georgetown Ministry Center: 338-8301 1041 Wisconsin Ave, NW georgetownministrycenter.org

Gospel Rescue Ministries: 842-1731 810 5th St, NW grm.org

Martha’s Table: 328-6608 2114 14th St, NW marthastable.org Miriam’s Kitchen: 452-8926 2401 Virginia Ave, NW miriamskitchen.org

My Sister’s Place: 529-5991 (24-hour hotline) mysistersplacedc.org

N Street Village: 939-2060 1333 N Street, NW nstreetvillage.org

New York Ave Shelter: 832-2359 1355-57 New York Ave, NE

Open Door Shelter: 639-8093 425 2nd St, NW newhopeministriesdc.org/id3.html

Samaritan Inns: 667-8831 2523 14th St, NW samaritaninns.org

Samaritan Ministry: 1516 Hamilton Street NW | 722-2280 1345 U Street SE | 889-7702 samaritanministry.org

Sasha Bruce Youthwork: 675-9340 741 8th St, SE sashabruce.org

So Others Might Eat (SOME) 797-8806 71 O St, NW some.org

St. Luke’s Mission Center: 333-4949 3655 Calvert St. NW stlukesmissioncenter.org

Thrive DC: 737-9311 1525 Newton St, NW thrivedc.org

Unity Health Care: 745-4300 3020 14th St, NW unityhealthcare.org

The Welcome Table: 347-2635 1317 G St, NW epiphanydc.org/thewelcometable

Whitman-Walker Health 1701 14th St, NW | 745-7000 2301 MLK Jr. Ave, SE | 797-3567 whitman-walker.org

GREAT FEEDBACK, PLEASE KEEP IT COMING!

ONLINE

streetsense.org/survey

First and foremost: thank you! As a reader and customer, you are a crucial part of Street Sense. It is you who empowers our vendors economically, you who improves our local culture by being better-informed about homelessness and poverty. Needless to say, we value your feedback. Our survey has been extended: online at StreetSense.org/survey or postmark your response by June 30, 2016 to 1317 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20005.

1 — Our vendors receive compensation for promoting this vital survey.

If a vendor convinced you to respond to the survey, please note their name and badge number here. ________________________________________________

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2 — If Street Sense begins publishing weekly, we could: prov ide higher, more-stable income for our current vendors; employ more new vendors; and publish more timely content.

If we made this switch, would you support these initiatives by purchasing a paper each week?

5 — When you do buy Street Sense, how much of the paper do you usually read?

____Yes

6 — Most street papers that have increased their circulation fundraised printing costs in advance. Would you donate $24 or more over 12 months to help us switch to a weekly publication?

____No 3 — How often do you purchase a Street Sense? ____Often (several copies each week) ____New Editions (every 2 weeks) ____Occasionally (every few months) ____Rarely (a few times each year) ____I just bought my first copy!

4 — What additional content would you most value in the newspaper? ____Puzzles & Games ____Community Calendar ____Expanded Resource Guide ____More Local News ____More Vendor Writing ____National/International News ____Advertising or coupons

____Read it cover to cover ____Read at least half of it ____Skim for my interests ____I don’t read the paper, but I donate to support the vendors

____Yes ____No 7 — Have you ever donated to Street Sense, outside of purchasing a newspaper? ____Yes ____No 8 — How long have you been a Street Sense customer? ____I just bought my first issue ____3 months – 1 year ____1 – 3 years ____3+ years

June 1 - 14, 2016 • Volume 13 • Issue 15

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9 — Are there specific vendor characteristics or behaviors that make you more or less likely to stop and buy a paper? ______________________________

_____________________________ _____________________________ 10 — When and where are you more likely to stop and buy a paper? (Check all that apply) Time ____Weekend Morning ____Weekend Afternoon ____Weekend Evening ____Weekday Morning ____Weekday Afternoon ____Weekday Evening Location ____Farmer’s or Flea Markets ____Metro Station ____Near another business ____Near events (sports game etc) ____Other_________________ 11 — Are there any locations you frequently visit where you wish there were more Street Sense vendors available? ______________________________

14 — How would you prefer to purchase a digital download or ticket from a vendor? (check one) ____Pay cash and receive a piece of paper with a download URL ____Pay cash and enter an email address into a tablet or phone ____Purchase online via tablet or phone, download to your phone or computer 15 — How do you interact with Street Sense online? ( check all) ____View content on the website ____Follow on social media (streetsensedc) ____Subscribe to the podcast ____Subscribe to the e-newsletter ____None of these 16 — Please tell us your address if you would like to receive updates by mail, or your email if you would like to receive them electronically.

E-mail: _____________________________ Postal: ______________________________ _____________________________

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17 — Lastly, what changes/ improvements would you like to see to the paper?

_____________________________

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12 — Since 2012, Street Sense has evolved into a full media center, producing films, theater, a podcast and more. Have you attended any of our events?

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____Yes ____No ____Didn’t know about these

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13 — Would you be willing to...

THANK YOU!

(check all that apply)

____Make a credit card purchase from a vendor? ____Purchase a ticket to an event from a vendor? ____Purchase a digital download (podcast, film) from a vendor? ____None of these

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