Plans to Close D.C. Homeless Shelter Relies on the Generosity of Landlords

Can a $52 million plan to close the D.C. General emergency shelter rely on the generosity of landlords in providing houses for the homeless?

1 minute read

October 21, 2014, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray last week announced a plan to close the beleaguered homeless shelter at the former D.C. General Hospital—"a plan that depends on persuading landlords and other property owners to free up units and buildings to shelter the homeless," reports Robert Samuels.

"The plan envisions the city leasing about 300 units between a half-dozen buildings sprinkled throughout the city" by convincing "charitable landlords" to accept rapid rehousing vouchers. According to the article by Samuels, that critical consideration has raised concerns about the tenability of the plan.

"In the past six months, the city has found more than 800 units for which landlords have been willing to accept rapid rehousing vouchers. Still, according to an Urban Institute study [pdf], the city is more than 22,000 units short of the number needed to house those who make less than 30 percent of the region’s median income, which is nearly $105,000."

FULL STORY: Landlords face crisis of their own in D.C.’s push to house the homeless

Sunday, October 19, 2014 in The Washington Post

Housing Urban Development District of Columbia Washington D.C. D.C. General Homeless Shelters vouchers Subsidized Housing View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.