Tell NPS & DC to Stop the Sweeps
The National Parks Service, at the request of the DC government, is moving up the eviction of the camps at McPherson Square to February 15th, two months earlier than originally planned. People who are unhoused have congregated in McPherson Square for decades as a place where they can find community and access vital resources that make living outside safer and more comfortable. As the city and NPS have increased their attacks on unhoused spaces, many people have decided to move to McPherson. K, L, & M Street camps in NoMA, New Jersey & O NW Park, Burke & Gompers Parks, 10th & Rhode Island NW, Thomas Circle, Scott Circle, 2nd & D St. NE, 3rd & Mass Ave NE, 12th & New York Ave NW, Mt. Vernon Square, & Union Station, Fort Reno Park among others, have all been evicted over the past three years, with very few residents moving into housing.
On October 26, 2022 NPS posted a notice stating their plan to evict the camp by April of 2023. Park residents were promised “intensive social services” prior to the eviction. This has not happened. According to residents, the first-time people came to the park to conduct housing intake was December 8th and they were informed at that time that getting them into housing could take anywhere from 6-8 months. Further, a number of residents in the park are currently attempting to navigate the housing process and have nowhere to go in the meantime.
There is currently only one outreach person working with the over 70 residents. A day of service outreach was planned by the Deputy Mayor’s Office of Health & Human Services, canceled for inclement weather, and then city workers simply did not show up for the rescheduled date.
Evictions disconnect people from services and community. This not only slows down the housing process but pushes people into more dangerous situations. For instance, in McPherson Square, a number of unhoused women have their tents set up near each other so they can check in and help keep each other safe. This is a vital safety network that is completely uprooted when encampments are cleared. Additionally, when encampments are cleared people are often forced into more remote areas where it's harder to access services and support.
Despite NPS’ statements that the housing process will not be interrupted by this abrupt and rapidly sped up timeline for eviction, outreach workers and housing service providers know this is untrue. It is very difficult to navigate the housing voucher process in the time allowed with the original eviction date. Now it is simply impossible.
We are calling on the National Parks Service and DC government to cancel this eviction until the 70+ residents have been successfully moved into housing and provided with ongoing support.
