Biden and Bowser Administrations’ Encampment Evictions Violate Federal Policy, Fail to Connect People with Housing
Statement issued on behalf of The National Homelessness Law Center, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), Disability Rights & Education Defense Fund, Funders Together to End Homelessness, Housing Justice Collective, Southern Poverty Law Center, The National Alliance to End Homelessness, The National Coalition for the Homeless, The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, The National Low Income Housing Coalition, True Colors United
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (May 17th, 2024)
Yesterday, The Biden administration, in coordination with DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, began evicting upwards of 90 people from tent communities located on both Federal and DC-owned land. Dozens of tents and personal belongings were discarded, and at least 17 individuals had no choice but to move to significantly less safe conditions, including highway underpasses. None were moved into stable housing.
Forcibly displacing encampments not only goes against guidance from the Biden Administration Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness but also makes homelessness worse.
DC has hundreds of unused housing vouchers and is weeks away from opening a non-congregate shelter in Foggy Bottom, making these evictions particularly cruel. Sadly, the Bowser administration continues to prioritize displacing homeless people over solving homelessness. The continued involvement from the Biden administration perpetuates displacement and harm rather than focusing on proven solutions, such as redirecting funds away from punitive measures and towards affordable housing and outreach programs.
It is not too late for the Biden and Bowser administrations to cancel the next round of evictions, scheduled for Monday. Our local and national elected officials must confront reality and accept that the main cause of homelessness is the dire lack of affordable housing. The following organizations demand that they abandon the cruel practice of evictions and instead focus on the proven solutions to homelessness: housing and services.
- The National Homelessness Law Center
- Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)
- Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
- Disability Rights & Education Defense Fund
- Funders Together to End Homelessness
- Housing Justice Collective
- Southern Poverty Law Center
- The National Alliance to End Homelessness
- The National Coalition for the Homeless
- The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
- National Low Income Housing Coalition
- True Colors United
###
The National Homelessness Law Center’s vision is to cultivate a society where every person can live with dignity and enjoy their basic human rights, including the right to affordable, quality, and safe housing, and its mission is to fearlessly advance federal, state and local policies to prevent and end homelessness while fiercely defending the rights of all unhoused persons.
