A homeless couple lived here in this makeshift tent at 3rd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. They were told to vacate the premise. Now they live at the M streets NE underpass encampment.
Pic taken at 3rd and M Street NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at 3rd and M Street NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
The City Grapples With Homeless Tent Encampments
BY Joseph Young
Opinion Piece Originally Published in Washington Post
BY Joseph Young
Opinion Piece Originally Published in Washington Post
On a bright and sunny afternoon, the Friday before Labor Day weekend, a group of people was crowded in the shade against the storefronts of Red Bear Brewing Co. and La Colombe, D.C. watering holes that offer craft beer and mocha lattes, respectively. To the right of these is the entrance to Recreational Equipment Inc., otherwise know as REI. It carries a large selection of outdoors apparel and equipment for men, women and children.
A few hundred yards away, at Second and M streets NE, in D.C.’s NoMa neighborhood, there is a crammed homeless encampment in an area that was meant for pedestrian traffic. The underpass shelters just a fraction of the more than 6,500 people experiencing homelessness scattered around the city. Many at the encampment also suffer from drug abuse and mental-health issues, sometimes both.
At the top of each morning and the end of each evening, people going to and from work hurry past the tents lined up along the debris-littered sidewalk that reeks of urine.
“I lost my mind for eight months,” said 52-year-old Michele Hydier, who struggles with schizophrenia. “I also lost my son, my apartment and my job.” Hydier has lived in a tent with her friend at the M Street underpass for six months.
She takes a once-a-month shot for the treatment of her disease. “My mind came back,” Hydier said. “It was a miracle. I’ve only had hallucinations twice since then.”
Now she panhandles, at the NoMa-Gallaudet University Metro station, right outside the homeless encampment. “It’s to buy food,” she said. “My Social Security disability check isn’t enough.”
Hydier’s friend, 46-year-old Ricky McNeill, also panhandles. They were arrested by D.C. police for aggressive panhandling at the intersection of North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue NW, in the early-morning hours a few days before I met them.
“I usually don’t cry,” said Hydier. “Then the officer said, ‘I’m gonna let you go,’ ” much to her relief. McNeill was released from jail later that afternoon.
Hydier’s path to the street was unexpected. When she was 30, her parents threw her out of the house in Pennsylvania where, in the winter months, the temperature drops well below zero. She became homeless and decided, in 2016, to move to the District, where the climate is milder. Hydier got on a Greyhound bus and came here. She went for help to the Community of Creative NonViolence homeless shelter (commonly known as 2nd and D). “One thing about D.C., it has the best programs,” said Hydier. “People come from all over the nation because they know they are going to survive.”
She has camped on and off the street for more than 20 years, including on sidewalks, in tents and at shelters.
City officials have been trying to get their heads around the encampment problem that is presented by Hydier and McNeill, especially as it relates to public health and safety. Throughout the city, notices of impending cleanups are posted at unauthorized encampments. Personal items not removed from the site before the scheduled cleanup are removed and trashed. When the cleanup is done, the homeless people are allowed to return to the encampments. This process occurs every two weeks. Some among the homeless see the cleanups as a form of harassment. They said city officials do not want them to camp out there. D.C. police stand by in case there is trouble.
“All I can do is just move my tent so they can clean up,” said 41-year-old Henry Wilson, who lost his job six years ago and has not found another. “And after a few hours put it back.”
Wilson would like more help from the city. “There is only but so many services, and they can only get to so many people,” he said. “I understand it’s gonna be a waiting process. But I’ve been waiting six years. Something has to happen.”
The problems in the homeless encampment represent larger issues across the District. With gentrification, entrenched drug addiction and mental-health issues.
“The first step,” said Aaron Howe, a teaching assistant at American University’s Department of Anthropology, “is to simply talk with and listen to homeless encampment residents to figure out what strategy would be most effective.”
Those who are scurrying past the tents on city streets may not give it much thought, especially when it comes to the homeless, but empowering people to shape their own lives is important for a thriving democracy.
D.C. officials must act now.
On this bright and sunny afternoon, the Friday before Labor Day weekend, a group of people are crowded in the shade against the storefronts of Red Bear Brewing Co. and La Colombe, which are watering holes that offer craft beer and mocha latte, respectively. To the right of these is Recreational Equipment, Inc., otherwise known as (REI). It carries a large selection of apparel and equipment for the outdoors men, women and children.
Pic taken at 2nd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at 2nd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
A couple with children approaching the entrance to the M Street NE underpass where a homeless tent encampment has sprung up.
Pic taken at 2nd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at 2nd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
A security camera at the M Street NE underpass where a homeless encampment has sprang up.
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
The M Street NE underpass where a homeless tent encampment has sprang up.
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
A woman died here of a heroin overdose in her tent on August 22nd at the M Street NE underpass encampment. She was simply known as Tink.
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Ricky McNeill has schizophrenia and a bipolar disorder. He also has been homeless since the age of 14-years-old. He is now 46.
The "Feed The Turtle tee shirt McNeill is wearing suggest people care more for animals than the homeless. They are also making dog parks but not housing for the homeless.
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
The "Feed The Turtle tee shirt McNeill is wearing suggest people care more for animals than the homeless. They are also making dog parks but not housing for the homeless.
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Michelle Hydier, 52, has bouts with schizophrenia. She has lived on and off the street since she was 30-years-old.
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Passerby walking through the M Street NE underpass where a homeless encampment has popped up.
Pic taken taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2018 ©Joseph Young
The homeless panhandle as a way to make ends meet. Michelle Hydier panhandles at the NoMa-Galludet University Metro station, which is right outside of the homeless encampment. "It's to buy food," she said. "My Social Security disability check isn't enough."
Pic taken at 3rd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at 3rd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
"I believe that we should be getting help from the city. There is only but so many services, and they can only get to so many people," said 46-year-old Henry Wilson. "I understand it's gonna be a waiting process. But I've been waiting 6 years. Something has to happen."
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
"My drug addiction led me to stray away from them [children] too," said Butch. "So, instead of destroying their lives anymore than I already have, I came out here."
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Robert E. Lee is the longest resident at the M Street NE homeless encampment. He has lived there 5 years.
Pic taken at 3rd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhooh of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at 3rd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhooh of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Notice of the date and time of cleanup of the homeless underpass. After a few hours they are allowed to return. This process takes place every two weeks.
Pic taken at 2nd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at 2nd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Ricky McNeill and Michelle Hydier moving their tent from underpass, so city workers can clean encampment. After a few hours they are allowed to return. This process takes place every two weeks.
Pic taken at M Street NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at M Street NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Day after cleanup, D.C. Police investigate reports of screams coming from tent at 3rd and M streets NE., in the NoMa neighborhood. Some in the tent encampment have mental health issues, she may have been experiencing a psychotic episode.
Pic taken at 3rd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at 3rd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
The homeless move their belongs from underpass while the Department of Public Works clean homeless encampment. After the cleanup they are allowed to return. This takes place every two weeks.
Pic taken at the M Street NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at the M Street NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
The homeless move their belongs from underpass while the Department of Public Works clean homeless encampment. After the cleanup they are allowed to return. This takes place every two weeks. The frequent cleanups are a challenge for those homeless people with disabilities.
Pic taken at 3rd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at 3rd and M streets NE in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Some among the homeless see the cleanup as a form of harassment. They said city officials do not want them to camp out there. D.C. police standby in the event that there is trouble.
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Passerby. Throughout the city, notices of impending cleanups are posted at unauthorized encampments. Personal items not removed from the site before the scheduled cleanup are removed and trashed. When the cleanup is done, the homeless people are allowed to return to the encampments. This process occurs every two weeks.
Pic taken at M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
After cleanup of homeless encampment sidewalk is power washed.
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Rain, the light art installation, at the M Street underpass, is funded as part of a larger $50 million grant from the city to create parks and improve public spaces in NoMa. This project is managed by NoMa BID.
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at the M Street NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Swampoodle Park is funded as part of a larger $50 million grant from the city to create parks and improve public spaces in NoMa. This project is managed by NoMa BID.
Pic taken at 3rd and l streets NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken at 3rd and l streets NE underpass in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2019 ©Joseph Young
According to NoMa Business Improvement District the total number of employees in NoMa is 54,000.
Pic taken in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2018 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2018 ©Joseph Young
According to NoMa Business Improvement District the current population of NoMa is 9,300.
Pic taken in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2018 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2018 ©Joseph Young
According to NoMa Business Improvement District there are 6,398 apartments (incl.1,595 under construction) in NoMa.
Pic taken in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2018 ©Joseph Young
Pic taken in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 2018 ©Joseph Young
First Street NE Homeless Encampment
Marie Jones aged out of foster care. At 18-years-old, she became instantly homeless. "I had no place to go," she said. She is now 22 and has 3 children, two boys, 4 and 1, and a girl, 7 months. She was housed at the DC General shelter and Days Inn, the motel shelter, for two years. Now she is sofa surfing with family. She was 8 years-old when she entered the foster care system. She was the victim of child neglect.
To make ends meet, she panhandles at Union Station with children in toe.
Pic taken at 1st NE in Washington, D.C. 2019. ©Joseph Young
To make ends meet, she panhandles at Union Station with children in toe.
Pic taken at 1st NE in Washington, D.C. 2019. ©Joseph Young
Ending homelessness require a commitment to building more low-income and affordable housing and providing substance abuse and mental-health services.
First Street NE
First Street NE
K Street NE Homeless Encampment
The K Street homeless encampment sits between two luxury apartment complexes: 100 K Apartments and Union Place. The cost of a two bedroom apartment per month at the 100 K Apartments range from $3610 to $3850.
L Streets NE Homeless Encampment
