Residents of Tenleytown, in Washington, D.C., say they are concerned about the homeless population there, citing drug addition problems — specifically the synthetic drug known as K2.
Clarence Beverly III, a sleep specialist at the Mattress Warehouse, said he has lived in Tenleytown for 21 years and has gotten to know several homeless people. He said the people he met have been dying lately due to K2, a lethal synthetic form of marijuana that can be smoked, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It does not mix well with alcohol, but unfortunately, a lot of users don’t know that.
People experiencing homelessness center around Tenleytown because of the multitude of public transportation options, according to an employee at the Tenleytown-Friendship Neighborhood Library, Russell, who declined to share his last name. A District Taco restaurant employee, Ana, who also declined her last name, said she sees most of these people around the metro area because of the food options. She also said some Tenleytown restaurants offer their leftover food and resources to those in need.
The Tenleytown-Friendship Neighborhood Library offers a variety of programs to benefit the homeless population, like help in making resumes, cover letters and finding a job. The library also promotes other programs such as the Downtown Day Services Center, a company that connects the homeless with supportive services to get them off the streets and into homes, and the DC Free Summer Meals Program for kids and teenagers. Russell said the Tenleytown-Friendship Neighborhood Library also offers their temperature-controlled facility, with computers and books, to the local homeless people.
Ana, who has lived in Tenleytown for the majority of her life, said she has not seen the situation improve. Although local businesses give their aid to the homeless, it is not beneficial for businesses to house or aid the homeless while also serving families from the area, she said.
According to Street Sense Media, 71% of the homeless population in D.C. is African American. Russell said single men, specifically, are the main demographic living on the streets of Tenleytown.
As reported by locals in the area, a common resource for homeless people in Tenleytown is the Friendship Place. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing shelter and support to homeless people in the area, according to its website. However, the shelter is closed on weekends, along with many other shelters in the area, leaving many homeless people stranded on the weekends.
Not only is homelessness an issue in Tenleytown, but it is present across all of D.C. Martha’s Table is a food pantry and clothing store in the city. They have several locations throughout the D.C. area where people, usually families, can come and get free food and extremely discounted clothing. An employee from Martha’s Table, who did not want to share her name because her views might differ from her company, said they rarely have to turn anyone away thanks to their large amount of resources.
Back at the mattress store, Beverly said he’s known many homeless people and is concerned about them.
“People should understand that these are real people.”