An already controversial proposal to disperse homeless shelters and service around Washington, D.C. is finding new ways to be controversial.
David Alpert reports on a particularly ugly episode from a debate over a proposal to add 50 short-term apartments for homeless residents on Idaho Avenue in upper Northwest D.C. "At a community meeting last night, some residents showed just how much they think the poorest people in DC need to stay far away from their exclusive enclaves," reports Alpert.
The noteworthy soundbite comes from a flyer circulated at the meeting that has since attracted a lot of attention. According to Alpert and photographic evidence included in the article, "[the flyer] includes the astoundingly offensive phrase, 'Homeless lives matter; the lives of community homeowners matter too.'"
The project is a component of Mayor Muriel Bowser's proposed strategy to address homelessness in the District—namely that homeless shelters and services should be spread around the city, rather than concentrating them all in one neighborhood. The $660 million proposal has experienced controversy due to questions about its funding viability, which has overshadowed the policy substance—that is, until now.
FULL STORY: Upper Northwest hits peak NIMBY about a homeless shelter
Poking Holes in D.C. Mayor's $660 Million Homeless Shelter Plan
An ambitious proposal to build seven new homeless shelters around the District of Columbia, with a price tag of $660 million, has been attacked on several fronts.
S.F. Residents Sue to Block Homeless 'Navigation Center' on Environmental Grounds
A group called Safe Embarcadero for All is suing to block the construction of a homeless shelter on city-leased land across from piers 30-32 on the San Francisco waterfront.
The Four Kinds of Housing that Help the Homeless
Projects to add housing resources to help give homeless people a roof over the head have run into all sorts of public opposition—often times fueled by ignorance of how different kinds of homeless housing options work.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie