A call to action for Mayor Muriel Bowser

In 2011, The Westside of Seattle I was featured in the article “Churches in Des Moines opened eyes of homeless filmmaker.” This article was about my challenge to the Mayor of Seattle to participate in a 24-hour homelessness experience to better understand the struggles of those affected and develop practical solutions. Although the Mayor did not accept the challenge, the experience ignited my passion to fight for the homeless. I am challenging Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC with a similar challenge.

In 2023, Washington, DC is in the grip of a severe homelessness crisis. Over 4,900 people are without permanent housing. This alarming statistic means that the district has the highest homelessness rate in the entire country, affecting approximately 73 out of every 10,000 residents. This statistic is not just a number, but a worsening emergency that requires immediate and relentless attention.

At the beginning of the year, organisations such as Miriam’s Kitchen And The Way Home campaign called for Mayor Bowser will allocate significant funding to effective homeless programs in her FY 2025 budget proposal. These programs, like Miriam’s Kitchen and Thrive DC, have shown promising results in addressing homelessness. Unfortunately, the proposed budget threatens to cut these important programs and raises questions about racial equity, potentially undoing progress made in addressing chronic homelessness.

The latest ruling on Grants Pass has given jurisdictions the authority to enforce stricter homelessness laws. MRSC.org states that “municipalities can impose criminal penalties for acts such as public camping and sleeping in public without violating the 8th Amendment – even if they do not have adequate shelters to house their homeless population.” These laws could make the situation worse if policies align with the Mayor’s current approach. Miriam’s Kitchen warned that the Mayor’s budget proposals in response to a billion-dollar deficit could harm vulnerable residents and have serious implications for racial equity. We call on the DC Council to step in, protect critical programs, and support the most vulnerable communities.

As a former homeless single father battling addiction and traveling the country with his daughter Erica for nearly 20 years, I experienced the challenges of homelessness first hand. I remember nights spent in shelters, the constant uncertainty of whether I would find the next meal, and the deep isolation that came with it. These experiences led me to become a documentary filmmaker and social activist working to raise awareness about homelessness.

Given the current crisis, I propose a transformative solution. I call on Mayor Bowser to participate in a 24-hour homeless challenge. This initiative, if adopted, could provide her with a first-hand, immersive experience to better understand the daily reality of the homeless. Similar initiatives in cities such as Houston and Salt Lake City have led to significant progress, such as Houston’s successful “By name list” Strategy that directly identifies and serves the homeless. By investing in such innovative solutions, we can achieve similar success in DC

It’s also important to address the fact that homelessness disproportionately affects marginalized populations, especially Black and Latino people. Any effective strategy to address homelessness must focus on racial equity and prioritize funding for programs that support these communities. Ending homelessness is about more than just providing housing – it’s about ensuring equity and fairness for everyone in our society.

Our vision should include:

• Reducing homelessness.
• Improving support systems.
• Improving access to affordable housing.
• Empowering residents through community programs.

This vision is not a distant dream, but a tangible future that we can create through decisive and compassionate action.