Homeless encampment in front of Union Station in DC given notice to vacate, NPS says
WASHINGTON (7News) — The National Park Service (NPS) announced a plan to clear out a growing homeless encampment in front of Union Station in Northwest D.C.
NPS said the “unsheltered encampments on park property at 11th Street NW and I Street NW and at Columbus Circle pose imminent threats to public health and safety that warrant temporary closure of these areas.”
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People living in tents at those locations will be given at least 14 days' notice before next months' clean-up operation.
The park service says it's shutting down the encampment because of violence, drugs and unsafe conditions after numerous reports.
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In their announcement, NPS said they are “committed to working closely with the District of Columbia’s Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services (DMHHS) and other District agencies to provide social services and support to people experiencing homelessness.”
“The closure and restoration of these park areas will allow the NPS to ensure the safety of the general public and those living in the encampments,” they wrote.
7News reached out to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office and park service to find ut if there are any plans to get more people into housing before that camp closes. We are still waiting to hear back.
