DAVID A. CLARKE
February 27, 1990
Ms. Ellen Thomas
Ms. Clara Porter
Good Neighbors Project
P.O. Box 27217
Washington, D.C. 20038
Dear Ms. Thomas and Ms. Porter:
I am in receipt of your letter of February 16, 1990, with the efforts of the Good Neighbors Project to help the homeless. As a result, please find a copy of my letter to Mr. Roland Turpin, Director of the Department of Public and Assisted Housing, supporting your request for a building to provide a hygiene center for homeless individuals.
As I stated in my letter to Mr. Turpin, I have always strongly felt that local government does not call upon the tremendous resources it has within the community to address the many problems facing the city, not the least among them being the plight of the homeless. The Good Neighbors Project would appear to be a perfect opportunity for government and the private sector to work together in common service for the community.
I hope my letter to Mr. Turpin will have a positive response, and I will be happy to share with you any reply I may receive. Thanking you for your concern for our city, I am,
\ /s/David Clarke
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20004
DAVID A. CLARKE
Chairman
February 26, 1990
Mr. Roland Turpin, Director
Department of Public and Assisted Housing
1133 North Capitol Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Turpin:
I have been contacted by the Good Neighbors Project with their desire to establish a hygiene center for the homeless.
Good Neighbors is attempting to combine resources by obtaining privately donated construction materials and volunteer labor and is looking to the District government to supply a suitable city-owned boarded-up building. Since last year, they have been working with government representatives including members of your office. However, there has been no progress in obtaining the building.
I have long felt that local government does not call upon its private sector, corporate and individual, nearly enough to work with it in common service to the community. The plight of our city's homeless is one we would all like to have adequately addressed. But all too frequently, local government works unilaterally to find a solution, and in many instances, its efforts are not enough. I feel government must not only promise to do things for people, but it must do things with people to address this and other issues.
The Good Neighbors Project offers an excellent opportunity for the city government to work with the private sector. As you know, there are many of our homeless residents who choose not to take advantage of the shelter services and prefer to remain in the streets. These individuals would most likely use the showers and lockers offered by a hygiene center. Such a facility would enable these individuals to store their belongings without fear and to seek employment and homes with dignity.
I ask that your department give this project your every consideration and thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
/s/David Clarke
David Clarke
Chairman