As we reported earlier this year, the District cut $12 million from this year’s homeless services budget ‘ a cut that came as a surprise to Councilmembers, advocates, and even homeless service providers. A recent Washington Post editorial ‘ “Cold Out There” ‘ reminds us that it still is not clear whether nonprofit homeless services providers will have enough to keep shelters open all year. The editorial calls on the Fenty Administration to find additional resources and to work with the organizations to make sure they get what they need.
In the aftermath of the announced cuts, DC’s Department of Human Services (DHS) promised to fully fund homeless services for the duration of hypothermia season. Less clear was how much funding would be available to organizations after the winter months. DHS committed to meeting with providers, finding “efficiencies,” and applying for stimulus funding to make up at least part of the shortfall.
That was in October. It’s now December, over two months into the fiscal year, and providers are still in the dark about how much funding they can expect from the District this year. The Washington Post editorial points out that without this information, organizations are having a difficult time planning their programs and deciding whether they’ll have to scale back services like mental health assistance and job counseling. The editorial applauds the city’s efforts to find additional funds and to look for efficiencies, and it calls on the city to “give providers a clearer picture of how much money they can expect and when it will be available.”
We couldn’t agree more. It’s time for DHS to communicate to providers ‘ and the public ‘ to what extent homeless services will be funded this year.
