Some readers have expressed concerns about and for the homeless man who has been camping out near the Van Ness Metro’s west entrance.
A passerby walks past the makeshift camp in front of the Fannie Mae-owned building at 4250 Connecticut Avenue.
ANC 3F Commissioner Mary Beth Ray had an update at the commission’s July meeting last week. She says the ANC has been working with the offices of Council member Mary Cheh and Mayor Bowser, the DC Metropolitan Police Department and Friendship House and Georgetown Ministry Center to find a solution that works for the man and the community.
Three issues were at play here, Ray said: the man’s poor health, the community’s health and safety, and the fact that the building’s owner, Fannie Mae, has allowed that retail space to remain vacant, which in effect invites people to move in.
A representative from Cheh’s office later announced there would be a meeting about him today at MPD district 2D, and that on Monday, August 3rd, the District would send a team to move his belongings.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Susan Murany says
He’s obviously a hoarder. It’s tough. He will be devastated when they clear his stuff. I have a family member who is also a hoarder. I have no solutions. Only empathy.
social worker says
Thanks for the update. I had called about Mary Cheh’s office about six months ago. After many phone calls, I was told that they would contact Tommy Wells. I was told that no tresspassing signs would also have to be put up before his belongings could be moved. The signs went up. Someone(s) came and removed his belonging. The homeless gentlemen also seemed to be gone. But within weeks he and his stuff were back. He appeared to have some bandages on his face. I’m thinking that maybe he was taken to a hospital for care.
I’m a social worker and I feel for him. However, I’ve noticed other homeless? mentally ill? people hanging out in the area now as well. And we are concerned about all the ”trash” he collects and takes to that spot. Rats?? We spoke w/ the owner of Epicurian. He said it has been next to impossible to remove this gentlemen. And when we spoke w/ security for the building they said there is nothing they can do. I’m a little frustrated as this was brought to the attention of Mary Cheh’s office quite awhile go. My fear is that he will just keep returning to that spot. That is generally what homeless people like to do. And if the businesses and building security can’t/won’t do anything. I’ve worked at a homeless shelter for me. Generally people like this do not want to stay at the shelter. So what is the plan if he keeps returning?? Its not just him. It is all of the garbage that he collects each day as well. This is a problem.
Again, thanks for the update and all the good information you provide us.
T. Lee says
I don’t know how you can classify a homeless person as a hoarder — how many boxes and newspapers classifies as too many material goods for someone without the luxury of walls or a roof let alone a closet or under bed space to store anything.
I wonder what he would say if he saw any of our homes….we would all surely be extreme cases of hoarding compared to his meager collection of belongings. I was hopeful this post would have community concern for the man’s wellbeing and next steps that work for him in a real way and not just calling in the cavalry to swoop in and remove any trace of his existence.
I have often passed by and wanted to offer him a hot shower and meal – Is there a way as a community we could do that safely and smartly by having neighbors join together to do such a thing? I’d be willing to host, but would want a couple neighbors there to help me prepare a meal, perhaps provide a couple extra towels or hands for washing his clothes, and clean up.