D.C. Likely To Tighten Access To Homeless Shelters
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The D.C. Council has given preliminary approval to a bill that would give people who can prove they live in the city priority for space in a homeless shelter during extreme weather.
Under current law, the city must shelter anyone who is homeless and needs a bed when the temperature drops below freezing or rises above 95 degrees. But D.C. Council member Tommy Wells says that law is allowing people from nearby Maryland and Virginia to come to the city once shelters in their area are full, which is unfair.
Under the bill advanced Tuesday, the shelters could still help people who can't prove residency but would give preference to those who can. People can prove residency with a former mailing address.
The bill applies to long-term housing, not nightly drop-in shelters.
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