During this season of giving, and with nippy weather about to settle in, the DowntownDC BID has purchased a large shipment of winter clothing that will be distributed to people experiencing homelessness in Downtown. The Downtown Homeless Services Team, managed and funded by the BID through Pathways to Housing DC, says more than 200 people will receive winter coats, thermal shirts, pants, socks, and underwear. These items not only protect homeless individuals from the elements, but they also help build trust with the street outreach specialists who work with these individuals to find much-needed services and housing.
This winter, all are encouraged to keep an eye out for distressed homeless individuals, who are vulnerable to hypothermia. Chronically homeless individuals suffer from mental health, compromised medical health and substance abuse problems and are extremely susceptible to this life threatening condition. If you know of someone who needs help, please notify a Downtown Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance (SAM) employee or call the city’s Hypothermia Hotline at 800.535.7252 for assistance. A specially trained team of 12 SAMs, known as the Homeless Outreach Service Team (HOST), work closely with, and are trained by, the Downtown Homeless Services Team, the on-the-street professionals who engage with people experiencing homelessness every day where they are in the community.