District Council Approves New Location for Ward 6 Homeless Shelter

The District Council today approved a new location for the homeless family shelter planned for Southwest.

The move was part of a revision to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Homeward DC plan to replace the aging D.C. General shelter with smaller, safer shelters in all eight Wards. As part of the council’s revised plan, the Ward 6 shelter was moved from its initial planned location at 700 Delaware Ave. SW to 850 Delaware Ave. SW.

Today the council voted unanimously to approve the revised plan.

The Ward 6 shelter, which will offer transitional housing to up to 50 homeless families, was originally slated to be built next to Blind Whino, an art and event space in Southwest. However, neighbors expressed concerns about the chosen site which was not on land owned by the District.

Neighbors identified District-owned property at 850 Delaware Ave. SW as a possible alternative. After considering another alternative location at 200 K St. NW, Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen recommended that the council choose 850 Delaware Ave. SW for the future shelter.

Currently, 850 Delaware Ave. SW houses a Unity Health Care clinic in need of repairs. Allen said in a statement that the city has committed to rebuilding the clinic as part of the shelter construction.

“I believe today’s vote represents a better deal for D.C. taxpayers, a better deal for the Southwest community, and most important, a better deal for those families experiencing homelessness,” Allen said in a statement on the change of location.

Photo via Google Maps