DC Mayor Bowser Addresses National Guard Deployment and Homelessness

Safety and National Guard Deployment

• ❓ A reporter questioned Mayor Bowser on whether DC has become safer since President Trump mobilized the National Guard.
• ❓ The reporter also inquired if the forceful removal of homeless individuals by the National Guard has helped solve or created problems related to homelessness.

Approach to Homelessness

• 💡 Mayor Bowser stated that the city's approach is to encourage people to come inside, emphasizing investments in the shelter system.
• 🎯 The safest place for unhoused neighbors is on a pathway to permanent housing, which includes shelter and bridge housing.
• 🤝 Outreach workers and the Department of Human Services are actively working to get people into shelters, as sufficient space is available.

Shelter Capacity

• ✅ Since August 8th, the city has not turned away anyone from shelter and has expanded capacity to meet demand.
• 📊 The census is monitored daily, with the ability to expand into additional sites to ensure no one is denied shelter.
• 📣 The primary message is that there is space available, and unhoused individuals are encouraged to come inside.