This appears incorrect. Please provide any proof that many are closed on weekends. In the winter, DC will transport someone 24 hours a day to a shelter if they are in need.

> There is a COLA for DC.

Regarding the COLA, is that posted when there's a job available on USAJobs, in general? I always assumed it was, but around here because things are so "cheap" (they're really not) you often get employers hiring for a range of 40-60k... then obviously hiring at the lower number. The range I saw for this position was offering much more than 40k but I am going in with the assumption I'll earn nothing since I'm just starting out in the federal service.

How difficult would it be to get to a GS12, if I'm not on a ladder position? The ideal would be to get a contracting (!102, sorry) position and work my way up but that seems highly unlikely.. is it possible to get some type of FERS related certification as a civilian? Would that help me at all when applying to these jobs?

Thank you for being willing to have an open mind and intelligent conversation about this! Apparently that’s uncommon around here.

You’re right - Moving the sweep back wouldn’t resolve the issue at all. There’s been protests and petitioning for them to stop the sweep altogether since it was announced, but now the focus has shifted to at least giving them the original timeline promised.

I can’t imagine the DC govt, businesses, or residents would ever go for a solution like that. The cost of land is so high, and I imagine there would be a lot of businesses/residents upset that people are being “unfairly given” a place like that. I’d love to be wrong about that!

What this petition is for is by no means a perfect solution. It’s just asking for bare minimum fairness.

I am unsure about transit benefits. The telework footing is only 2-3 days each week. they also aren't offering relocation bonuses which.. god yeah this'll be a tight move if I end up making it.

I’ve never heard about this issue of many shelters closing on weekends before and it is very surprising to me, I would have expected it to be a larger topic of conversation given how many issues this must cause. Where can I read more about this?

Yes but things will be very tight for a very long time and your going to need to be very disciplined in your budgeting and scout out older buildings especially in Southwest and north east

1/3 shorter - that’s a significant amount. “Almost all of us” (whatever that means) probably also have much more access to resources and options for places to go. where do you propose these people go?

No thank you.

Your point about McPherson Square’s concentration of unhoused folks, such that it makes it more efficient for nonprofits to distributed aid/supplies, actually makes a lot of sense — appreciate the reaponse here.

In terms of the timeline, if they moved the “sweep” back by 3 days (will be 50+ degrees for at least the next week), would that solve the largest problem here? (Assuming that the weather this weekends presents the most pressing danger concerning the sweep)

And idk, I absolutely still disagree that residents should be denied public spaces due to homelessness. I understand the issues with shelters (though…during hypothermia season, i think the city has a compelling interest to force unhoused folks to temporarily go to shelters, honestly), but think there needs to be a better solution.

^ Perhaps a dedicated plot of land somewhere in the district thats not currently being used as a park/public space where homeless folks are allowed to set up tents subject to common sense rules?

That would be a great idea if there was housing available. Waiting lists for housing are years long.

That would be good in theory - but that’s really not how DC shelters work. Many are closed on weekends - as if homelessness is somehow only a weekday problem - and many people do not feel safe in shelters.

It is under 30 days but not by much. Almost all of us could be told to move from our residences in 30 days unless we own them.

Three weeks notice to somehow try and move everything you own and find a new place to stay? In what world is that not little notice?

Petition the DC government to guarantee housing for them, and forcibly remove folk who won’t comply.

If there’s housing available, get out the park.

https://www.streetsensemedia.org/article/encampment-mcpherson-square-cleared-two-months-early-feb-15/#.Y90RQ-ROm9c

I mean hypothermia conditionals means you should want people in the “inadequate shelters” over the streets. The shelters have heat.

Parks are not meant for small communities to live, they are meant for everyone to join. Maybe they can try to put everyone in the same shelter so they can stay with the people they know.

That’s three weeks. You’re making it sound like it’s tomorrow.

Residents received notice that it was moved from April to February last week. That’s little notice. Please read the post more clearly

1. Most people who live there have tents with their possessions inside. Tents provide shelter and warmth, and people’s clothes, blankets, etc are inside. When encampments are swept, their stuff is bulldozed (at worst) and just thrown away (at best). “Why don’t people take their stuff with them before they sweep the encampment?” How do you feasibly transport all of your belongings like that? And where would they go? Additionally, McPherson is a place where a ton of non profits distribute supplies, including warm clothes, hot meals, and hand warmers. People who don’t even live in McPherson will come there for services. Removal of the encampment will disrupt this crucial supply of resources.

2. That’s true, yeah. Don’t get me wrong, I love parks. But if that’s people’s only - or best - option as a place to live, that’s significantly more important than DC residents or visitors enjoyment of a park.

Nah.

[deleted]

Leave that shit to the west coast

I head about this several weeks ago, so what you’re saying about “little notice” is flat out untrue.

I do appreciate the sentiment here in your post. But a few things that dont make sense to me at all:

• Why would “hypothermia season” have any bearing on evicting the encampment (or not)? An encampment, by its very nature, is still outside, and presumably (amongst folks not getting housing), they would still be outside also
• McPherson Square is neither an encampment nor a community, it is a park meant for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike. Lets just be clear on that.

No easy resolutions here. But just was confused/disagreed with some of the premises of your post