Councilmember Wells Sets Hearing Date On D.C. General
Councilmember Tommy Wells, who chairs the Committee on Human Services, announced today that he will hold an oversight hearing to review homeless shelter operations. The hearing is set for March 31 at 10 a.m. The press release on the hearing states:
"The purpose of this Roundtable is to provide an opportunity for the Council and public to receive a briefing from the Department of Human Services on the implementation of the District's efforts to provide shelter to homeless families and individuals during the recent winter. The Committee will question the agency on issues related to shelter capacity, shelter operations, case management, transition to permanent supportive housing, transportation services, services for youth and children, shelter security and the provision of meals at shelters. The Council also welcomes public testimony from those who are homeless and advocates for the homeless."
The hearing stems from the allegations and complaints concerning D.C. General's family shelter. Residents alleged that staff offered to trade blankets and juice for sex, that case workers took too long to help them find housing, and that the shelter had been infested with mice and mold. On Feb. 9, a resident's newborn died.
Wells has expressed concerns to City Desk about these allegations and Families Forward, the nonprofit that runs the shelter. Last night, the nonprofit admitted that it had to fire employees for inappropriate contact with female residents.
Anyone wishing to testify is encouraged to contact Vivian McCarter via email at vmccarter@dccouncil.us or by phone at 202-724-8191 by March 29. Witnesses need to bring 15 copies of their written testimony.
1:09 pm
GRANDSTANDING!, Plain and Simple!
1:44 pm
You got it...
2:34 pm
Or maybe you're reading too much into it. He also had homeless shelter hearing last July and then again in October before the hypothermia season began. Maybe, just maybe, it's kind of normal to hold a hearing once the hypothermia season ends?
5:13 pm
Wells and his staff told me this was an planned hearing. They decided to hold hearing this week.
8:06 pm
He is addressing the problem.Rick and Hoodrat let the man do his job. Get over yourself. A child died, people are being assaulted and damn it children are in harms way. Where is your compassion for your fellow man?
10:12 pm
Definitely grandstanding.
Sorry, but there it is.
You want results? Don't combine and thereby conflate the issues.
Separate the addicts and mentally-ill from the general population. Convince the courts to allow you to detain and provide intensive treatment the former, and focus the already-available counceling and encouragement to the latter.
Don't hold your breath.
12:56 pm
Um and Tired: You must be employees of Wells or possess limited intellectual capacity. The rest of us are not fools.
If you can read UM and Tired, then check out Wells' press release.
The purpose of the hearing is to have the Department on Human Services brief the Council and public on the city's activities for the homeless. I guess Wells will give them a pat on the back and an A+. Wells also welcomes testimony from the homeless and advocates for the homeless. Unfortunately, it appears he does not want to hear from the rest of us who are the taxpayers who pay the taxes that fund these services plus pay Wells' salary of $125,000 a year.
Wells and his staff are not capable of finding their way out of a wet paper bag. This city would be better off if he and his staff were removed from Office.
1:47 pm
Well, let see Wells said that the rich and middle-class are being attracted to Ward 6 because of their phenomenal educational movement. Too that I say Columbine High School data will reveal during their terrible school year they had rich and middle-class in their demographics. I find Well's staff being regulated to be players of real-life in a neighborhood production of Alice in Wonderland.
4:36 pm
'tired', here's a novel idea, why doesn't Wells just get his car and pay a unannounced visit to D.C. General and see for himself what the problems are! A simple direct approach to the problem with no media or grandstanding!
5:53 pm
why doesn't Wells just get his car and pay a unannounced visit to D.C. General and see for himself what the problems are!
There are two problems with this question:
1. Wells doesn't own a car. He bikes to work.
2. Despite not owning a car, Wells actually does make unannounced visits to city homeless shelters. I know this because the City Paper reported it when his Metrobus got into a crash when he was going to check out St. E's.
10:36 pm
Look I am entitled to my opinion @sick of wells. I was not addressing you so mind your business as for limited intellectual capacity you can kiss my ass. And I can read and a taxpayer so again kiss my ass. An investigation is needed for DC general aka the shelter and I don't work for Wells and I don't know him obiviously you have a problem with him and that is something you have to deal with. And Rick Mangus , maybe he will take your approach. I don't care as long has something happens.
12:39 am
Wells grandstands less than anyone on the city council. He may not be the best CM, but at least he comports himself with dignity --- a trait seemingly on the verge of extinction.
6:07 pm
@Truth Hurts, I am in total agreement with you. I like three brock from DC General and as such Mr. Wells is my CM. He is not a favorite of mine because of an issue with Eastern SHS, but in general, he carries himself with respect and dignity. He has visited various homeless shelters, HE CAN AND SHOULD DO BETTER.
Again, anyone of us can be made homeless by circumstance, so I do think that the hearing should be open to the public, but especially those in the Ward where DC General is located.
6:08 pm
I meant to say that "I live three blocks from DC General"
8:33 pm
@ Wendy Glenn: Colby King agrees with both of us. In his op-ed today in WAPO, Colby writes: "Ward 6's Tommy Wells takes the prize for decency and good intentions. He wields authority, however, with a light hand." Let's hope he maintains his decency and also becomes better at oversight and legislating. DC sorely needs political leaders with all of these qualities.
Btw, you made me laugh with the big momma approach to teens hanging in front of your home. Funny and true.
10:55 pm
@Truth Hurts: Tommy Wells has always been decent; at his core is a love and respect for his community. Now, I wish he was "more" responsive to "all" constituent concerns but that is something that he has to consistently work on.
P.S.---I love young people, I have two of my own however, I will not "tolerate" or "ignore" disrespect from folk young enough to be my children. These youth have a healthy fear/respect of me and I try to main it.
9:25 pm
Here's the deal, if not Families Forward then who? What grant provider can come in and make it all better. Ask Tommy Wells that question. The problem is not just about Families Forward it's about no more public housing available for those in need. Fix the main problem and the rest will fall in place, Mr. Wells.