WASHINGTON (AP) - District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser wants to make it easier to deny shelter to homeless people who don’t live in the District.
Bowser asked the D.C. Council Tuesday to quickly pass legislation that would allow the city to turn people away if their previous residency in the city can’t be confirmed or if they have access to other housing.
The District guarantees shelter to homeless people on freezing nights, and the homeless population has increased over the past few years. The city is currently spending $80,000 a night on hotel rooms for families who have nowhere else to stay.
The Democratic mayor says the city can’t verify residency for 12 percent of people seeking shelter. She says emergency housing should first be available District residents who face true emergencies.
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