CAPITOL HILL CORNER

Following Up on the Victim of a Violent Capitol Hill Assault – Action of Police Officers Scrutinized

by Larry Janezich

The violent assault on the 400 block of 4th Street, SE, on August 23rd, first reported by Capitol Hill Corner, has resulted in an administrative action regarding the two officers who responded to the crime.  MPD officials have reviewed the video from the officers’ body cameras to determine whether their actions were appropriate in light of the seriousness of the victim’s injuries.   If officers failed to correctly describe the extent of the victim’s injuries, that could be a reason MPD failed to send out an email alert to the community – standard procedure when a crime of significant interest to the community occurs.  If found at fault, the officers could receive a censure, a reprimand, or suffer other corrective action.  (Since this is an internal police matter, the outcome is unlikely to be made public.)

The new information came from MPD First District Captain John Knutsen, in a hallway discussion outside of ANC6B’s monthly meeting in Hill Center Tuesday night.  Knutsen was at the meeting at the request of Commissioner Jennifer Samolyk to address community concerns about the assault.

Knutsen told the ANC that the crime was very out of character for the neighborhood, calling it a “strange one” in that there was no attempt at robbery.  Asked if police had a suspect Knutsen said he could not say, citing the on-going investigation, but added, “The case has gotten a lot of attention, and hopefully, we’ll have closure.”  Asked about additional foot patrols, he said MPD adjusts deployments constantly, depending on calls for service.

When his time for Q&A before the Commission expired, a group of residents who live close to the crime scene continued voicing their concerns outside the meeting room and Knutson imparted the new information about the internal administrative action in response to a question.

Regarding the email notification of the assault to subscribers to the Police-Community Online Email List Groups (sign up here: https://bit.ly/2MsEXm3) Knutson said “It should have happened – it didn’t.  Watch commanders and lieutenants in the First District have undergone training to make them more cognizant of the type of crime that warrants a community alert.”

Capitol Hill Corner reached out to the assault victim, Lexi (last name withheld), to ask for her assessment of how the city had responded in the aftermath of the assault.  CHC’s take away from that conversation was that critical institutions had let her down.  Upper echelons of MPD – including First District Commander Kane – appear to have been fairly responsive and compassionate, acknowledging that the community didn’t know what happened and should have.  Detectives and patrol officers – less so.

For example, MPD detectives didn’t supply crime victim compensation information to Lexi until after Kane asked Lexi it she had received it.  Detectives are supposed to provide that automatically during the follow up interview.  (For more on the Crime Victims Compensation Program – see here:  https://bit.ly/2xeTo7H).  In addition, detectives appear to have been somewhat casual in their efforts to bring the case to closure.  The often-voiced perception of many residents is that MPD too frequently appears to go through the motions, leaving residents with the impression that assaults are not taken seriously.

A second institution which failed Lexi was the Emergency Room at George Washington Hospital.  It was only after returning home after the eight hour visit on the day of the attack that Lexi found out on line about the ER’s list of counseling centers to help victims of violence.  When she followed up with a question about it, she was told:  “Yes, that exists, and you should have gotten it.”

In the aftermath of the attack, Lexi says she is struggling mentally.  This week is the first since the attack she has felt confident enough to walk in the neighborhood unaccompanied and still feels the sense of being traumatized while walking around Capitol Hill.  Physically, she says her face and nose are healing following surgery, though she still has “big bruises.”

Regarding the things that have gone right, Lexi says she feels lucky this happened in a residential neighborhood and people responded – unlike the vicious assault on TC Maslin near Eastern Market.  (In 2012, Maslin was brutally assaulted but not found until hours afterward.  See here: https://wapo.st/2OiCWuq)

Asked to sum up, Lexi said, “The Hill is not as safe a place as we think it is.  A lot happens we don’t know about unless we hear it from friends and neighbors.”  She says she will follow up in her neighborhood by organizing more interaction with the neighbors – Neighborhood Watch and neighborhood police walks – to fill in the gaps.

Capitol Hill Corner reached out to Commander Kane for comment.  Kane said she would address anything the MPD can do better and has had a conversation with her “white shirts” regarding remedial management.

Recently, MPD has made a greater effort to distribute crime alerts to the Police-Community Online Email List and to encourage residents to subscribe to the list.  However, only 6000 households currently subscribe and how many of these are in the First District is unclear.  It would seem that ANC Commissioners could be more involved in the protection of their single member districts by subscribing to the email list and forwarding alerts in their contact lists – maybe some do already.  Residents can help protect themselves and their neighborhoods by doing the same.

Fire and Rebellion the Subjects of “Return to Sender” at The Fridge

by Larry Janezich

The subjects of Brooklyn artist David Molesky’s paintings exist in four groups:  Figures, Land, Water, and Fire.  Fire and rebellion are the subjects of the paintings in “Return to Sender” currently on exhibit at The Fridge, in the alley on the east side of Barrack Row.

The ancients considered fire elemental – and in mythology portrayed it as both a purifying force and a destructive one; a gift that resides in the hearth and in the forge; a regenerative force that precedes new growth after a forest fire and the Phoenix before it arises from the ashes.

Molesky’s rebels in “Return to Sender” return fire, stones, and tear gas canisters to unseen opponents behind the flames and smoke – apocalyptic snapshots inspired by media captures of actual worldwide rebellions.

The unstated warning in “Return to Sender” references Prometheus, who stole fire and gave this power to control and transform the world to humans, making possible progress and civilization.  But in Greek mythology, the god also represented the danger of overreaching and unintended consequences – groundwork for The Birth of Tragedy.

The paintings are part of Molesky’s ongoing body of work of smoke and fire images: Hill Fire Paintings (2009-2011), Gulf Spill (2010), Ukrainian revolution (2014-2015), and now Return to Sender (2018) – all shown at Fridge Gallery.  See Molesky’s work here:  http://davidmolesky.com/

David Molesky grew up in Washington, DC, moving west in 1995 to obtain his Bachelor of Arts from UC Berkeley (1999).  Molesky’s work has been featured in numerous museum exhibitions including: the Baltimore Museum of Art (Baltimore, MD); Pasinger Fabrik (Munich, Germany); and the Cal State Fullerton Grand Central Art Center (Santa Ana, CA). His work is in the permanent collection of several public museums including: the Long Beach Museum of Art and the Iloilo Contemporary Art Museum in Philippines.

For more information, please contact Gallery Director Alex Goldstein at 202.664.4151 or alex@thefridgedc.com or the artist David Molesky at 415.844.0828 or moleskystudio@gmail.com

“Return to Sender” is at The Fridge through September 28.

Cocktail talk: Thursday, September 20th, 6-8 pm.

516 ½ 8th Street SE; open Thursday – Saturday 12 – 8, Sunday 1 – 5

HYPERLINK “http://www.thefridgedc.com” www.thefridgedc.com

 

Photos:  Capitol Hill Group Ministry “Sip and Savor” Fund Raiser at Eastern Market Saturday Night

by Larry Janezich

Some 400 people turned out for CHGM’s third annual “Sip and Savor” fund raiser Saturday night at Eastern Market, celebrating the non-profit’s 50^th year of operation.  The organization is dedicated to meeting the needs of thousands of individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness on Capitol Hill and across the city.  24 food and drink donors with Capitol Hill connections provided an eclectic menu and “Sciatic Verve” the music.

Jerry Sroufe, ANC6B02 Commissioner, with Mary Ann Sroufe.

For a previous post on the work of CHGM, see here: https://bit.ly/2NrJsi7  – for more information on CHGM and how to donate or volunteer, see here: http://www.chgm.net/

 

 

The Week Ahead… a New Barracks Row Project Underway – plus Rodent Concerns at ANC6B Meeting

by Larry Janezich

Monday, September 10

ANC6D meets at 7:00p, 1100 4^th Street, SW.

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentations:

Public Safety Report with Capt. Pulliam and Lt. Queen.

DC Public Schools and DC Department of Transportation – Update on modernization of Jefferson School.

DC Department of Parks and Recreation Update re Greenleaf and Randall Recreation Centers.

Community Benefits Coordinating Council Update re DC United collective bargaining agreement.

All Purpose Pizzaria, 79 Potomac Avenue, SE – Amendment to Community Agreement for additional seating and occupancy.

Hill Spirits Unlimited, 1015 Half Street, SE, new Class A liquor license with tastings.

Circa and Navy Yard/El Bebe, 99 M Street, SE, new restaurant liquor license.

Whole Foods, 101 H Street, SE – 99 M Street, SE: new Class B liquor license with tastings.

Public Space Application:  Circa & El Bebe, 99 M Street, SE.

Public Space Application Mission Dos, 1221 Van Street.

Public Space Application, Whole Foods, 101 H Street, SE.

Tuesday, September 11

ANC6B meets at 7:00pm in Hill Center

Among items on the draft agenda:

Presentation:

Department of Health Rodent Control Program Manager Gerard Brown to speak on DC rodent concerns.

423 8th Street, SE.; The Fried Rice Collective, LLC – Chiko; Chiko has application to expand hours and for a stipulated license to permit operation pending approval.

301 7th Street, SE.;  Radici Uno (One Root), LLC – Radici; Radici has applied for a substantial change to change from a class D to a class C Restaurant license and are requesting longer hours for service of alcohol and to add spirits.

520 8th Street, SE.; Senart’s, LLC – Orchid: Substantial change application to change from a Class C restaurant license to a Tavern license.

624 C Street, SE; Historic Preservation application – concept/one-story rear addition above existing basement and first floor, alter rear façade.

152 11th Street, SE; Historic Preservation application – concept/rear addition.

710 E Street, SE; Historic Preservation application – concept/three-story rear addition.

225 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; Historic Preservation application – concept/replace storefront and construct new three-story rear addition.

221 9th Street, SE; Historic Preservation application – concept/2nd story addition to 1 story garage.

1515 E Street, SE; Zoning adjustment application – special exception to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing principal dwelling unit.

433 New Jersey Avenue SE; Zoning Adjustment application – special exception to construct a new roof deck and access stair on an existing principal dwelling unit.

 411 New Jersey Avenue, SE; Historic Preservation application – concept renewal/new three-story building.

1347 G Street, SE; Zoning Adjustment application – variance to construct a third story addition and convert the existing principal dwelling unit.

DDOT Public Space Application, Academy Bus LLC, for 5 curbside spaces at 721 D Street, SE, for use all hours on weekdays/weekends.

DC “Draft Small Cell Design Guidelines” – ANC 6B comments due to the DDOT Public Space Committee by October 5.

Wednesday, September 12

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C meets at 7:00pm, Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

Among items on the draft agenda: 

Presentations:

Joe Weedon, candidate for re-election, State Board of Education.

Ben Mindes, Observe DC, community-based election observation.

Addis Ethiopian, 707 H Street, NE, request for substantial change in liquor license, and protest.

8th Street, NE—DDOT Notice of Intent:  removal of residential parking and installing 15-minute  loading zone, southbound on 8th Street.

D.C. Small Cell Program—wireless telecommunications antennae technology.

1119 Abbey Place, NE, Zoning Adjustment application—special exceptions to enclose a rear porch and construct a second-story rear addition.

Proposed letter to Council recommending legislation amending the Building Code to require (1) DCRA to print the legal days/hours for construction activity on all construction permits, and (2) All applications for exterior alterations or additions to include photos clearly depicting the affected elevationsParks and Events Committee.

NoMa Parks Foundation update.

Thursday, September 13

ANC 6A meets at 7:00pm, Miner Elementary, 601 Fifteenth Street, NE.

Presentations:

Metropolitan Police Department First District Sector 2.

Duffy’s Irish Pub, 1016 H Street, NE – request for a new Settlement Agreement to and a stipulated endorsement allowing operation pending approval.

Kitsuen, 1362 H Street, NE, application for a new CT Tavern liquor license.

DC Culinary Academy, LLC t/a The Outsider at 1357-1359 H Street, NE – application for a new CT Tavern liquor license.

Letter to DDOT’s Public Space Committee asserting that ANCs should have sixty (60) days from the date of notice to provide comment on the small cell guidelines proposal.

Letter of support to DDOT endorsing Councilmember Allen’s letter regarding safety improvements at Eighth Street, NE and D Street, NE and reiterate the need to convert the intersection to a four way stop.

Letter of support to BZA for a special exception to construct a rear roof deck and access stairwell at 1318 Constitution Avenue, NE.

CHRS Zoning Committee meets at 7:30pm, Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE. 

Agenda uncertain at press time.

NYC Go Bus Wants Stop Near Eastern Market

By Larry Janezich

Wednesday night, Commissioner Kirsten Oldenburg’s ANC6B Transportation Committee heard Go Bus reps Michael Curreri and Matt Schapiro present the company’s DOT Public Space application for 24/7  use of 5 parking spaces, at 721 D Street, across from Hill’s Kitchen.  Go Bus wants a stop here for their service to New York City.

The stop would be the final pickup point before getting on 295 for the four hour trip to the 30^th Street and 9^th Avenue stop in Manhattan, on a route that starts in Capitol Heights with stops in Alexandria and L’Enfant Plaza.

The Committee supports the concept, but has concerns about the narrowness of the street and the loss of parking for the small businesses there which rely on customer parking.  After some discussion regarding possible alternative parking spaces, including spaces near 8^th and Pennsylvania, Seward Square, Potomac Metro, and Stadium Armory Metro, the Committee voted 12 – 0 to embrace the concept but oppose the application as currently stated.  Chair Kirsten Oldenburg spoke for the committee, saying she hoped to see a new version of the application come forth soon.

Go Bus seems committed to a stop near Eastern Market, and indicated they will file a new application with an alternate location as soon as possible.  Once the needed parking spaces are agreed upon and a permit issued, service could start within 60 days.  Currently a round trip ticket from L’Enfant to NYC is about $42.00.  The stop would also be a discharge point for trips returning from NYC.  Currently, on the busiest days, there are 3 trips departing from L’Enfant Plaza.  Company reps say buses will stop for about ten minutes at the site.

 

The Week Ahead….

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday, September 4

ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee will meet at 7:00pm at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Avenue, SE. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

624 C Street, SE; Historic preservation application – concept/one-story rear addition above existing basement and first floor, alter rear façade.

210 9th Street, SE; Historic preservation application – concept/rear addition.

152 11th Street, SE; Historic preservation application – concept/rear addition.

710 E Street, SE; Historic preservation application – concept/three-story rear addition.

225 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; Historic Preservation application – concept/replace storefront and construct new three-story rear addition.

221 9th Street, SE; Historic Preservation application – concept/2nd story addition to 1 story garage.

1515 E Street, SE; Zoning adjustment application – special exception to construct a two-story rear addition to an existing principal dwelling unit.

433 New Jersey Ave. SE; Zoning adjustment application –  special exception to construct a new roof deck and access stair on an existing principal dwelling unit.

1347 G Street, SE; Zoning adjustment application – variance to construct a third story addition and convert the existing principal dwelling unit.

411 New Jersey Avenue, SE; Historic preservation application (renewal) – concept renewal/new three-story building.  Owner: National Democratic Club.

716-718 L Street SE; Historic preservation application – concept/demolish building except for the L Street elevation.

Capitol Hill Restoration Society Historic Preservation Committee meets at 6:30pm at Kirby House, 420 10^th Street, SE. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

Uncertain at press time, but likely candidates are listed in the Historic Preservation cases currently before ANC6B’s Planning and Zoning Committee, meeting the same night.

ANC 6C Parks & Events Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser-Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center (700 2nd St. NE, Room G2).

Among items on the draft agenda:

NoMa Parks Foundation – update on status of pending parks projects and underpass installations. Robin-Eve Jasper, President of NoMa Business Improvement District, will provide a status update on parks projects and underpass installations.

Environmental issues – The committee will determine topics for October, November and December meetings.

Wednesday, September 5

ANC6B Transportation Committee will meet at 7:00pm at Hill Center.

Among items on the draft agenda:

DDOT Public Space application from Academy Bus LLC, for 5 curbside spaces at 721 D Street, SE, for use all hours on weekdays/weekends.

DC “Draft Small Cell Design Guidelines.”  Here’s a link to DC Government’s Office of Chief Technology Officer’s page on small cells:  https://octo.dc.gov/page/small-cells

ANC 6C Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Committee meets at 6:30pm, Northeast Library, 7^th and D Streets, NE. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

1119 Abbey Place, NE, Zoning adjustment application for special exceptions from lot occupancy, rear yard requirements and non-conforming structure requirements and minimum parking requirements to enclose a rear porch and construct a second-story rear addition to an existing principal dwelling unit.

Proposed letter to DCRA – Discussion of proposal to send letter recommending that DCRA print the legal days/hours for performing construction activity on every construction permit.

Thursday, September 6

ANC6B Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee will meet at 7:00pm at Hill Center. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

423 8th Street, S.E.; The Fried Rice Collective, LLC – ChiKo is applying to expand their hours (which the Settlement Agreement allows), and request a stipulated license to allow operation at the new hours until formally approved.

301 7th Street, S.E.;  Radici Uno (One Root), LLC – Radici has applied for a substantial change from a class D to a class C Restaurant license and is requesting longer hours for service of alcohol, and to add spirits, as well as a stipulated license to allow operation until the new license is formally approved.

520 8th Street, S.E.; Senart’s, LLC – Orchid: Substantial change application to change from a Class C restaurant license to a Tavern license.

ANC 6C Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00pm, Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center, 700 2nd St. NE, Room G3-G4. 

Among items on the draft agenda:

8th Street, NE –DDOT has issued a notice of intent (NOI) to remove 40’ of resident permit parking spaces and establish a 15-minute loading zone along southbound 8th Street NE. DDOT recently completed a study concerning pedestrian safety at the intersection of 8th & D Streets, NE. This study found that No Parking zones on the corners of the south leg are being used for illegal parking. This behavior reduces the visibility of pedestrians both in and approaching the crosswalk. As a result, DDOT determined that curb bulb-outs will be installed with flexible post delineators to physically prevent this illegal parking. During the study, DDOT noted that patrons of local businesses were utilizing these No Parking zones. DDOT intends to establish this loading zone to provide an area for these activities to occur without impacting pedestrian safety at 8th & D Streets.  8th Street is the border between ANC 6C and ANC 6A.

508 L St. NE – Application to install a multi-unit mailbox for new condos in public space.

Friends of Southeast Library meet at 5:30pm in Southeast Library, lower level.

Those who are interested in supporting the Southeast Library and working in the nearly every month second Tuesday book sales are welcome to attend.

Here’s a Photo Progress Report on Seven Major Capitol Hill SE Developments

by Larry Janezich

On June 5, Capitol Hill Corner posted a photo progress report on five major Capitol Hill developments.  Three months later, here’s a progress report on those projects, plus two more.

The seven projects will provide 1,185 residential units to Capitol Hill’s housing stock.  Below are photos of where construction stands today, coupled with renderings of how the projects will look when finished.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look who’s back!  Stikman showed up in the intersection of 8^th and PA Avenue SE a couple of days ago.  I haven’t seen him for a while.

 

 

CHC consulted Alex Goldstein, owner of The Fridge, who pointed us to Street Art NYC. https://bit.ly/2wuqEIo

Woman Violently Assaulted Near Capitol Hill Police Station

by Larry Janezich

Last Thursday morning, a woman on her way to a workout class was violently assaulted near the MPD Substation at 500 E Street, SE.  The assault was not reported on the MPD listserv daily crime report, nor does it show up on the MPD crime map, nor was there an alert regarding crime of special interest to the community posted to listservs by police officials.

The woman, Lexi (whose last name is withheld by request) was on her way to her gym last Thursday just before 6:00am.  She was walking on the west side of 4th Street, SE, between D and E Streets, a block from the 1st District Substation.  Lexi said she is a  practiced urban dweller and was not wearing earphones or talking on her cell.

The sun had not risen and the block between D and E Streets was dark.  Mid-block, she stopped and bent over to take something out of her bag.  As she did so, Lexi saw someone coming at her from behind.  She stood up to turn around and felt an arm around her neck in a chokehold.  “I became unconscious fairly quickly, and when I came to, I was aware that he had grabbed my hair and was whacking my head on the bricks.  Then he punched me in the face three times and I started screaming, ‘Help! Help! Help!’  A lot of people came out – a woman said she called the police – I think others called the police.”

MPD came, she said, within minutes – “I would be shocked if it was more than 10.”

An ambulance arrived and took her vitals and administered first aid.  Lexi said, “There was a lot of blood.  They took me to the GW Hospital emergency room (for an eight hour visit).  I remember they said it was 6:40 when I checked in.  They gave me a CT Scan – there was no brain damage but I had a concussion and a broken nose and fractured maxilla.  I had a swollen face.  I still have two black eyes and a broken nose that will require surgery.”

She said the police took her name, social security number and asked what happened.  She couldn’t provide a description because of the way the attack occurred, other than she’s sure it was a man.

Lexi said she didn’t know whether he was waiting in the dark or had followed her; “I walk a lot in the city – I stay aware and am not oblivious to my surroundings.  I heard and saw nothing.”  She said the attack was “stealthy” – and thinks he ran toward the (Marion) park afterward.  Robbery did not appear to be the motive, since nothing was taken.

The police gave her husband a detective’s card with a phone number.  On Monday, she called the detective, who, she said, kept saying “it was a robbery or probably a robbery” and asked her if she was sure it wasn’t a robbery.  She says it wasn’t – that it was “awfully violent,” and that her assailant could have just grabbed her bag (which contained nothing of value except her cell phone).  The detective later reported that the two video cameras on the block showed nothing, and concluded their interaction with, “If you come up with witnesses, let me know.”

Lexi says she is “really concerned that the community has no information about this.”   She says, “This is my community – also my friends’ community.  We think this is a fairly safe place to live.  A lot of people walk around.  I would love it if anyone who saw something came forward.  There’s no info out there – MPD is not asking.  If the guy is still out there, we want to catch him.  I’m very very lucky it wasn’t more serious.”

CHC asked her to describe her state of mind.  She said she has “lots of ups and downs and I’m afraid to leave the house on my own.”  She says,” I have been very very independent and I’m anxious to get back to that.  I hate for this guy to have changed me – to take something important away from me.  I’m working on it.  I’m hoping someone saw something.”

CHC reached out to 1st District Commander Morgan Kane to ask why the assault hadn’t shown up on the MPD listserv daily crime report or the MPD crime map.  Kane says that only crimes that meet the national criteria for the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report Program are posted on these two venues.  Since this assault did not involve a deadly weapon – even though it was a terribly violent one – it did not meet those criteria.  (It’s not clear why these criteria can’t be altered locally for the purposes of informing the community and still maintained for the national reports.)

Kane said what should have happened (but which apparently did not) was a police official’s alert to the community listservs that a crime of significant interest to the community had occurred.  She cited the example of the notice posted by officials to listservs regarding the attempted Vespa scooter-jacking at Potomac and Pennsylvania Avenues last Saturday.  Kane said she would check to see if a police official’s notice on the assault had been posted.  CHC asked her to find out how it had fallen through the cracks if it had not.

Kane did not respond by press time, but CHC noted that shortly after its initial query to Commander Kane and Captain Knutson of the 1st District, and before Kane reached out to CHC, MPD posted the following message to the MPD listserv followers – a week after the crime:

“The First District is investigating an assault that took place in PSA 107 on August 23rd in the 400 block of 4th Street SE at approximately 5:50 – 6:00 AM.

Any persons that may have witnessed the assault or possess video footage of the offense are asked to contact the First District Detective’s Office on (202) 299-2025, or our Command Information Center at (202) 727-9099.

This case continues to be investigated by the First District Detectives Office.”

Councilmember Charles Allen said he was reaching out to the victim directly and that he had heard concerns regarding MPD and some other issues regarding this attack.

It is worth noting that crime alerts not only solicit information that can prove vital in solving a crime, they also let members of the community know of encounters that may influence residents’ decisions of where to travel, when, and how to do it.  Many people would probably be surprised to learn that such a violent assault that took place so close to the police station.

Here’s the Capitol Hill Non-Profit That’s Addressing Homelessness in Our Community

by Larry Janezich

For most people, the practical efforts to help the homeless exist below the radar.  It’s no different in our community, where many residents are unaware of the work of the Capitol Hill Group Ministry (CHGM), a non-profit dedicated to addressing homelessness in Ward Six and other parts of the city.

CHGM’s name derives from the coalition of different congregations who came together 50 years ago to respond to community social concerns.  Today the group’s mission is to support the holistic needs of individuals and families at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. They are the advocates for the homeless and provide the interface between them and city agencies providing housing and other social services.

According to DC Department of Human Services, DC’s homeless population on January 24, 2018 stood at 6,904: 3,770 singles – up 5.2% from January 2017, and 924 families, down 20.8% from 2017.

There are generally two categories of homeless – families in shelter or staying with relatives and without permanent residences, and the much more visible homeless people, typically single men and women, who many of us encounter or engage on a regular basis.  It’s likely that the latter group come from the 15-20% of the total number of homeless categorized as “chronically homeless,” and often suffering from mental illness and/or substance use disorder.

CHGM gets most of its funding* from the DC government; its budget is supplemented by donations, support from foundations and corporations, special events, and congregations.

The major portion of government funding goes to contracts to administer two city wide programs:  the Family Homelessness Prevention Program and the Rapid Rehousing Program.  Generally speaking, the city programs administered by CHGM benefit families.  (For more on these programs, see the end of this story.)

Two other programs, specific to CHGM are aimed at the unsheltered homeless individuals in Ward 6:  Shirley’s Place Day Hospitality Center and the CHGM Street Outreach Program.  These programs are supported by a mix of public and private funds.

Shirley’s Place Day Hospitality Center, located at 1338 G Street, SE, is named after Shirley Anderson, a longtime Capitol Hill Group Ministry supporter.  Shirley’s Place offers laundry, showers, light meals and connection to resources.  CHGM Street Ourtreach staff and volunteers walk the community on a regular basis to engage the homeless one on one, providing medical attention, food, drinks, blankets, transport to homeless shelters and a way to connect to community resources and services (healthcare, welfare, food stamps, etc.).

CHC sat down with CHGM Engagement Coordinator Abby Sypek and CHGM Director of Strategic Initiatives Kate Akalonu to talk about CHGM and the members of the community who are homeless and in need of assistance.

Sypek says “Ending homelessness is possible – it’s the exception not the rule that homeless people don’t want their own home.  Most want housing and a safe place to stay and it is rare to find those who don’t – even those, we work with in hopes that they get there.”  She cites Utah’s success with its “Housing First” programs as a model approach which involves providing housing first and then addressing the problems which brought about homelessness, rather that making eligibility contingent on solving those problems first. Sypek added, “I love working in DC with a lot of smart people looking at innovative ways to end homelessness.  It’s not enough.  We need way more homeless intervention.”

Akalonu said one of her concerns was the relationship between the public and the homeless, asking, “How do we shift public perception about finding a place in the community for those living in poverty?  It’s hard to pinpoint reason for homelessness – there are a lot of factors at play. Some have a deeper safety net – we provide another layer of safety.”

CHGM is having a Fund Raiser on September 8, in the North Hall of Eastern Market.  “Sip and Savor is a celebration of local food, craft beer, wine, cider, spirits and music in support of the homeless.”  Unlimited food samples and beverage tastings. Tickets are $70 until September 6, $80 at the door (if available).   http://sipandsavor.chgm.net

Additional information regarding CHGM and DC Homelessness:

Housing the homeless we most frequently encounter is often the most difficult.  Other agencies across city administer permanent and rapid rehousing housing programs for unsheltered homeless individuals through contracts with the city government.  Some of these include Miriam’s Kitchen, Friendship Place, Pathways to Housing, and Community Connections.

To determine eligibility for housing the city uses a widely recognized national process referred to as “coordinated entry.”  The goal of the process is to make sure people who need housing most get it.  The non-profit agencies such as those listed above as well as CHGM perform a voluntary “triage,” asking a series of questions of those in need of housing assistance to determine their level of need.  From the information gathered, a data base is created to prioritize those whose need is greatest.  Once a month, some 30 representatives of government agencies and non-profits interfacing with the homeless hold a “coordinated entry meeting.”  If the city has 30 housing units available that month, the participants go down the list and match those in need with the facilities available.

While others focus on housing unsheltered individuals, CHGM administers two city-funded programs aimed at housing families through government contracts.

The Family Homelessness Prevention Program helps stabilize families at risk of homelessness through mediation, flexible financial assistance and connecting them to supportive resources.  CHGM works with families to create both short and long term housing plans so that they can avoid homelessness and having to enter the shelter system.

The Family Housing Program has two components, Rapid Rehousing – a one year plus program to support families transitioning out of homelessness or – and Shelter Plus Care to provides permanent supportive housing for families in need of long term support.  In the latter case, support could be 100% subsidized housing for those with no income, or 30% subsidized housing for those with some income, such as SSI, SSEI, or earned income.  CHGM currently has 30 families in the supportive family program and points to a 20% decline in the number of homeless families over 2017 to demonstrate the its success.  (Studies by Federal and State agencies show subsidizing housing for the homeless costs about one-third of the $30,000 – $50,000 it costs taxpayers per person per year for homeless living on the street.)

For more information or to find how you can contribute or volunteer, see here:  http://www.chgm.net/

*Capitol Hill Group Ministry’s Budget for 2017: