D.C. Homeless Sweeps Contradict White House Policy

Just months after the Biden administration released a blueprint for ending homelessness focused on ‘person-centered’ solutions, federal officials are forcefully displacing unhoused people in encampments around the District.

2 minute read

February 19, 2023, 11:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Tents inhabited by unhoused people in a Washington, D.C. park

christianthiel.net / McPherson Square, Washington, D.C.

After federal and District of Columbia officials displaced the residents of a homeless encampment located just blocks from the White House, critics are accusing the Biden administration of going against its own stated policy, which, on paper, emphasizes “equity, inclusion, and ‘person-centered, trauma-informed, and evidence-based solutions to homelessness’.” Writing in Bloomberg CityLab, Kriston Capps describes the sweep of McPherson Square, which happened months before the District originally said it would.

The strategic plan to fight homelessness released by the White House two months ago strongly denounces police sweeps of homeless encampments. “The White House urged officials to instead tap into the resources made possible by pandemic relief bills to connect those in need with permanent supportive housing.”

Advocates for unhoused people point to the hypocrisy of the actions undertaken by the National Park Service and D.C. officials. “The tent city in DC’s McPherson Square had grown in recent weeks following a wave of evictions in other Washington parks, including several on the archipelago of small circles and triangle plots controlled by NPS throughout the city.” 

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser blamed safety concerns for the action, but critics reject that reasoning. “The dangers faced by people sleeping outdoors, advocates say, makes an urgent case for finding them supportive housing solutions — but not for removing them.” The federal plan itself categorically states that sweeps don’t work. “Asked about the discrepancy, USICH said in a statement that ‘the federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness encourages communities to close encampments in a coordinated, humane, and solutions-oriented way that treats homelessness like a housing and health crisis.’”

Thursday, February 16, 2023 in Bloomberg CityLab

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business