by Michael P. DiRienzo
Perhaps, like me, you too have noticed with concern the growing makeshift homeless camp at 4250 Connecticut Avenue, NW.
The vacant former Fannie Mae building located at 4250 Connecticut Avenue has a series of recessed architectural alcoves all along its Connecticut Avenue side, which are accommodating cardboard “tents” for as many as six homeless men, each living in a separate alcove pod.
Perhaps, like me, you too have experienced mixed emotions when you view this scene.
My sense of order and civic pride are challenged by the litter, debris, overflowing trash receptacles and sense of blight which have come to define this block.
At the same time, I am amazed by the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our homeless neighbors and am sensitive to the fact that the homeless have a right to live the lifestyle they choose, realizing that oftentimes mental health issues complicate the problem.
All of which calls to mind the ongoing issue of homelessness in our nation’s capital, made all the more personal by the presence of this makeshift homeless camp in the heart of our Van Ness neighborhood.
I know there are shelters and transport vans and new city-sponsored shelters either open or under construction in every ward of the District, so why should there be this makeshift homeless camp in our midst?
I guess the short answer is because the opportunity of a vacant building presented itself and those in need seized the opportunity to set up camp sites directly beneath posted “Private Property No Trespassing/No Loitering” signs.
I am grateful for the work that Theresa Cameron, Van Ness Main Street’s executive director, and her team have done to address the issue of the makeshift camp at 4250 Connecticut Avenue, touring the block with representatives of the mayor’s office as well building owners.
While it does not solve the greater issue of homelessness in our city and will most likely only serve to relocate the camps, my suggestion would be to eliminate the opportunity presented by a vacant building by requesting that building owners to install ornamental wrought iron fencing across each of the recessed alcoves along the front of the building until such time as the building is reoccupied by UDC.
I know many of my neighbors and friends will take issue with my suggestion; however, I wanted to start the conversation and invite others to weigh in, hoping a satisfactory resolution can be identified which will be fair to all stakeholders.
Michael P. DiRienzo has been a resident of the Van Ness neighborhood since 1999.
Forest Hills Connection is a project of the Forest Hills Neighborhood Alliance. The views expressed in this article are those of the author.
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Jordan says
Portion of comment removed. … They do not effect you in any way
Editor’s note: Comments always welcome, but please refrain from personal attacks..
Emma Hawthorne says
Many make have it all but you cannot buy compassions and empathy. Also, the majority of the shelters are full and you have to meet a certain criteria for most, although homeless.
David Donaldson says
I know two of those good folks. They’re harmless and needy. By the grace of God I and you aren’t in that position. However, for some it is there choice.
If someone feels that they are offended by them and indicate the trash in the area is their doing, they may want to reconsider. If you want to do something, walk up and introduce yourself.
They aren’t alcoholic or drugged. They, like you shop in the Giant and pay at the counter. If you are so inclined ask them if they you could provide something that may make things better for them. They are not bad people. They are residing in our VanNess Community, treat them like a neighbor on Main Street .
Erin says
These people are suffering. They just endured two days of wind, snow, and freezing temperatures. Putting up a fence (steel slats, anyone?) to push them elsewhere is selfish and cruel. You’re asking for this just so you don’t have to experience discomfort when you see another person’s pain. Instead, use it as an opportunity to consider your good fortune and identify meaningful steps you can take to make it better.
(Maybe start by removing the NIMBY yard sign that protests the new homeless shelter and embrace all of the diversity that exists in our community – not just the convenient bits.)
Livia Bardin says
I sent this story to Friendship Place, the lead agency for homelessness in Ward 3., in case they don’t already know about this group. There is a hypothermia alert in the city and it is important that all homeless people are offered help during extreme cold, whether or not they accept it. I also called the Emergency Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 to make sure they are aware (They are.).
Eileen says
Those who may not have lived in the neighborhood for a long time might not know that there is no homeless shelter in Ward 3 because it was effectively blocked in the 1990s. Ward 3 is about to have our first shelter which is being built especially for families and the opposition is still there. Back in the 90s, the solution was the creation of a bunch of small church based shelters. Recently, maximum length of stay after being assigned to one from one of the city agencies has been 6 months, but some people have been in the churches for much longer with the housing crisis. I understand that one could be upset by seeing people sleeping at Van Ness, but we do have serious issues around affordable housing and it is not just affecting the people on the streets, but others at various points in their recovery from homelessness. Our community needs to continue to advocate for affordable housing and to support organizations like Friendship Place.
Steve Chapman says
The thought “of requesting that building owners to install ornamental wrought iron fencing across each of the recessed alcoves” and thereby deprive the homeless of the housing “opportunity” is an appalling proposal in my mind, and it speaks to the inability of many of our most well-housed city residents to fully understand the problems faced by the homeless. I was born in D.C. in 1950 and have watched our city’s one-step forward, two-steps back approach to adequately addressing our city’s homeless crisis now for over 40 years. In the mid 1970s, I was a vestryman at the then activist St. Stephen’s & the Incarnation Church at 16th & Newton Streets, when our church and rector, the late William Wendt, agreed to open up much of the church to serve the homeless after meeting with the late Mitch Snider, who was the first real advocate the homeless had. He would eventually open the CCNV (Center for Creative Non-Violence) homeless shelter downtown at 2nd and E Streets N.W. Today, sadly, when the homeless issue comes up, our elected officials bend over backwards to please residents who are offended at having to view the sight of homeless encampments over coming up with humane and sensible solutions. When residents at the Watergate apartment complex complained about the numerous tents that the homeless erected in view of the apartments at Virginia Avenue and Rock Creek Parkway, the mayor had the tents cleared and fenced off the entire area. The mayor spoke about the importance of being compassionate to the homeless, but cited “health reasons” harmful to the homeless as the reason for the eviction. During the Reagan Administration, I recall how the General Services Administration was directed to erect fences around the heating grates outside federal buildings so the homeless could not place their sleeping bags or blankets over the grates, something that allowed them to prevent from freezing to death during frigid winter nights. During more recent times, I have noticed repeatedly how when a homeless shelter is proposed for various parts of the city, it seems that the loudest “not-in-my-neighborhood” complaints come from neighborhoods in Wards 3 and 4. Homeless shelters are desparately needed throughout our city. We, the most fortunate, should support efforts to build them even when they are perhaps too close to where we live, and not just in the poorer wards, whose residents are faced with many more issues. The D.C. City Council promised a year or so ago to set aside tax dollars to make serious efforts at helping the homeless, but, alas, the council recently reneged on that promise, and voted to use those tax dollars to rebate owners of commercial property who the city council believed were more deserving. As a native Washingtonian, it really make me sad how often our city leaders — many who proclaim to being enlightened and progressive — always seem to find a way to hurt residents who are the most in need.
De Johnson says
Why must this property owner suffer the loss of value and use caused by these vagrants camped on his private property? If you feel so strongly about housing the homeless, take them into your own homes; encourage your church to take them in; give your money to homeless shelters; etc.
Daniel J Jenks says
This article was bad. I’m dissappointed that Forest Hills Connection published this.
LBlase says
This was not a bad article–it expressed a clear point of view, as did each of the comments. I learned something from each one. If people are afraid of having conversations, problems like this will have less chance of being addressed. I’m grateful to be in this community and hope open dialogue on this and other issues can continue.
Max B says
This article does an important job of addressing the strange issue of the homeless camp on 4250 Connecticut. Our reactions to homelessness are uniquely American; as we take either the sympathetic stance (as seen in the comments) or the “not in my backyard stance,” as this article suggests. Despite what other commenters have posted, the homeless camp cannot be justified by citing a lack of DC homeless resources (shelters etc). Likewise, installing ornamental wrought iron fencing simply imposes a greater hardship on the homeless that will ultimately cause them to relocate, perhaps to even more aesthetically inconvenient spots-such as our metro entrance, apartment stoops, or the Van Ness shopping center as whole. If you think the camp at 4250 is unappealing, imagine seeing the homeless piled up by the escalators, or even outside Sfoglina if their home is moved.
While the greater solution to homelessness would require programs that provide mental health care support and other programs that help break the cycle of homelessness, the simple solution, which I believe this article is seeking, would be to put the onus on our businesses and the Van Ness economy.
Our Van Ness Giant lacks both cleanliness and sufficient produce but simultaneously promotes loitering, evidenced by employees taking breaks to hang out with Chon, our Street Sense vendor. A two story lot currently sits empty (for who knows how long) at the corner of Van Ness and Connecticut. The storefront of the former dry cleaners (4304 Connecticut) has been empty for over a year. Soapstone has recently fallen out of business.
Moreover, our Van Ness block lacks economic diversity. There’s a triangle of 3 Italian restaurants occupying the area between Van Ness and Yuma (two of which are depressing), a Potbelly’s sandwich shop is situated across the street from a Subway (why?). We have a storefront under UDC that doesn’t even hold regular business hours.
My point is that homelessness shouldn’t be combated with urban ornaments, as it is neither humane nor efficient. Homeless shelters are great, but who wants to live next to one? The simple solution to the homeless camp is to make Connecticut avenue no longer vacant. There are so many young people living in Forrest Hills waiting to spend their money. While cynical, have you ever seen a homeless camp outside of a Trader Joe’s? Or a Chick Fil A? If you want to eradicate the homeless camp, forget wrought iron fencing and homeless shelters-for as long the only night life is an Italian restaurant and the only late night fast food is a Subway or a dingy BK, there will always be a homeless camp.
Chris Rutledge says
Friendship Place is always ready to help those in need in our community,
Friendship Place is the premier housing service provider for people experiencing homelessness in the DC region. Our innovative, customized, person-focused programs empower participants to rebuild their lives, find homes, get jobs and reconnect with friends, family and the community, permanently.
If you see someone in need, please contact us at 202.364.1419 so we can assist.
Thank you!