Behind-Schedule Shelters and Behind-the-Scenes Problems at D.C. Department of General Services

The Department of General Services, Washington D.C.'s department in charge of constructing homeless shelters, has seen rapid turnover and is reportedly struggling with low morale.

1 minute read

June 29, 2018, 1:00 PM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Washington D.C.

bakdc / Shutterstock

Shelters in Washington, D.C.'s 7th and 8th Wards are behind schedule, and some point to staffing problems as a cause. "The new shelters are meant to replace the decrepit D.C. General, which is currently the city’s largest homeless shelter and houses about 250 families each night," Cuneyt Dil reports for the Washington City Paper. The Department of General Services (DGS) has lost three different people in charge of "project delivery" in a short period before replacement, Michael Jellen, took over the role on March 26.

City Councilmember Mary Cheh voiced concern about morale at the department, worrying about the lack of continuity and morale issues and their effect on the building of shelters, Dil reports.

Sunday, June 24, 2018 in Washington City Paper

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