Homeless encampments in DC grow, neighbors and businesses call out government's responsibility

The District saw a 40% spike in the number of homeless encampments across the city during the pandemic, but only a 5% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness. That’s because some unsheltered residents set up multiple tents as the city relaxed its enforcement of laws banning encampments during COVID, according to Wayne Turnage, deputy mayor for the District of Columbia Health and Human Services.

“As long as there are people living on the street, you have to conclude that, you know, we need to do more,” Turnage said.

William Everett has been living in a tent in McPherson Square for the past 10 months, which he says is better than sleeping in a shelter.

“There’s too much going on," Everett said of why he doesn't like shelters. "They come to check certain things. They check if you got a knife, gun, bottle of liquor, but they don’t drug test.”

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