WASHINGTON D.C., DC — WUSA9 is following up on complaints over poor conditions at a D.C. shelter. Delia Gonçalves toured the Harriet Tubman Women's Shelter in Southeast to ask city leaders about the growing concerns.
It was the desperate pleas of women outside the Harriet Tubman Shelter on January 16th that moved so many of you. Even on a cold snow day, they came out to our WUSA9 camera without coats, in walkers, and wheeling oxygen tanks to tell me their concerns. So, I took them directly to Anthony Newman, Deputy Administrator for Individuals at DC’s Department of Human Services.
“We operate a shelter for anyone who needs a bed without discrimination or cause for concerns however they present themselves we provide a bed for that gives you a wide group of folks, but if there are people who have complaints at this shelter or any of our shelters we have a process,” said Newman. “You’re never going to get a perfect score from everyone, but our job is to still address their need and even if folks have a complaint. Every complaint is legitimate, so we listen to what folks have to stay because to be honest with you that’s how we continue to make improvements.”
Newman took me on a tour of the low-barrier shelter. 175 women sleep in bunk beds, about sixteen total women in a room, each with a locker for their possessions. First, we checked out their donation closet.
“Most of the donations have been distributed because of the cold weather so all of the coats are mostly gone we have a few left but you’ll see we keep coats, shoes, blouses, anything a woman needs, and we constantly get new donations in as well,” explained Newman.
Then we stopped by a supply room stocked with toiletries. Some women told WUSA9 that there were not enough toiletries, especially for women who came in from the streets. Newman said the DHS contracts with Catholic Charities and part of their operating expenses is to provide those needs.
“If the women need any personal effects all they have to do is ask,” said Newman.
As Newman was explaining that people come to the shelter during stressful times of their lives, a woman became distressed and disturbed by our camera’s presence, so we quickly relocated to the first floor.
We stopped by the first-floor kitchen. In the evening we visited Henry’s Soul Food Café which provides dinners, offered a one-pot meal of chicken dumplings, mixed vegetables, and noodles. Special meals are prepared for diabetics and those with religious restrictions. Unity Healthcare offers medical treatment.
Women complained they were going hungry, but staffers said women may ask for seconds, even thirds. On Wednesdays, DC Central Kitchen provides an additional meal. A continental breakfast of cereal, muffins, fruit, milk, and water is available between 5 – 7 a.m.
Even though DHS said women can store dry goods and have access to a microwave, all D.C. shelters stopped serving lunch after the pandemic.
And while we first saw Dianna Key walking a mile to lunch, DHS said a shuttle bus runs every hour to take women to day centers for food, laundry, and case management.
“Will that information be more widely available, because right now when we mention breakfast or lunch, we get a flippant, such an attitude. No compassion, not any willingness to help us from the staff and we want to be treated better,” said Key who told us she hopes our visit sparks a conversation.
Kamari Evans said she hopes she will get out of the shelter soon.
“No matter what. Hard work and dedication are all that matters and as long as I can live my best life that’s all that matters to me because don’t nobody wants to be in a shelter,” she said.
“How do we help move folks from this emergency shelter into permanent housing?” Newman asked. “That’s our ultimate goal.”
As shelter staff prepare for another night housing D.C.’s most vulnerable, they do so despite the complaints that compelled so many of you to donate and offer help.
“It’s that compassion that helps drive what we do because we don’t do this alone,” said Newman. “These folks in the shelter are members of your community.”
Donations can be dropped off at the shelter, or you can click here to learn more information.
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.