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THE NEWS:

When Mayor Muriel Bowser touted the success of the city’s new tool for solving homelessness, she shared Tremaine Anderson’s story.

After couch-surfing and staying at a homeless shelter, Anderson signed a lease for a new apartment.  News cameras documented the special moment—a moment made possible thanks to the city’s rapid rehousing program. This program provides short-term rental subsidies to qualifying residents, moving those experiencing homelessness from shelters into apartments. 

That was in November 2017. A little more than two years later, Anderson faces eviction from that same apartment. 

“From the perspective of legal advocates, Anderson’s story is a typical example of one of the major problems with the rapid rehousing program: When the temporary subsidy is cut off, people often can’t afford to take over the full market rent,” writesCity Paper’s Mitch Ryals for this week’s cover story. 

“[S]uccess for families in rapid rehousing, known locally as the Family Re-Housing and Stabilization Program, is a matter of perspective and one that officials and advocates have disagreed on since D.C. implemented it in 2012. So why does D.C. continue to use it? And what are officials doing to improve it?” asks Ryals. 

Learn more about D.C.’s one-size-fits-all strategy for solving homelessness, available in print or online.—Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? Email agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

CITY DESK LINKS, by Amanda Michelle Gomez:

  • D.C. police is partnering with Nextdoor, the social network where residents sometimes complain about “questionable” neighbors. How it works: Folks need to forward posts to the police to raise non-emergency public safety concerns. [DCist]

  • D.C. Central Kitchen in NW and Bombay Street Food and Mario’s House Pizza, both in SE,  closed due to health code violations. [Post]

  • Anthony Williams, a man experiencing homelessness who was nearly shot by police, identified as man fatally stabbed at Union Station. [WUSA9] 

  • WMATA’s budget, explained. [GGW]

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Mayor Muriel Bowser backs Mike Bloomberg for president. [Twitter, WAMU, Post]

  • It’s time for D.C. to leave Jack Evans behind, writes Theresa Vargas. [Post]

  • LGBTQ advocate Ruby Corado endorses Patrick Kennedy in the Ward 2 race. [Blade]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • These bars and restaurants trained the next generation of local hospitality leaders. [WCP]

ARTS LINKS, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • District Derp will give you a cannabis product if you buy a print of a painting—a painting made by their dog. [WCP]

  • How Lesley Bryant turned the Lady Clipper barbershop into a local art showcase. [WCP]

  • The National Zoo’s sloth bears are super smart. [Washingtonian]

SPORTS LINKS, by Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Putting her kids in gymnastics class reopened some “emotional scars” for Olympic champion Dominique Dawes, who recently opened up about her painful childhood experiences in the sport. That’s when she realized she needed to get involved. This spring, Dawes is launching the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics Academy in Clarksburg. [WCP]

  • Former Nats manager Dusty Baker will become the Houston Astros’ next manager, tasked with guiding the franchise in the wake of its sign-stealing scandal. [USA Today]

  • DeMatha alum and Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo made an emotional return to the NBA more than a year after he ruptured his quad tendon. [ESPN]

MAKE PLANS, by Emma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full To Do This Week newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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