The D.C. government is repurposing the Sherwood Recreation Center as a “seasonal hypothermia shelter” to house people experiencing homelessness and protect them from injuries due to cold weather. The move is alarming local ANC commissioners, who are worried about keeping dozens of people in a confined space during the pandemic.

The Department of General Services told the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6A of their intention to use the facilities, specifically the recreation center’s basketball court, as a shelter.

Robb Dooling, who just won the election for ANC 6A06, tweeted updates from Thursday night’s ANC6A meeting where the plans were discussed.

“DC General Services and DC Human Services are trying to house 60 people inside the basketball court in Sherwood Recreation Center during hypothermia season,” he wrote. “Commissioners are urging more shelter units, affordable housing, and better adherence to physical distancing.”

He added that DGS Director John Stokes was on the call and laid out COVID-19 protocols for the shelter, including having two staff members on hand 24/7 at the facility to sanitize it and distribute personal protective equipment.

The shelter idea got pushback from at least two commissioners, who pointed out the ban on gatherings of more than 50 people and the amount of space needed to maintain social distancing on the court, per Dooling:

Representatives of the agencies are trying to emphasize that it is up to 60 people, not necessarily 60 people all at once – and capacity is tough all around with COVID-19 this winter.

Commissioner Gove asked about a mask mandate. DGS' John Stokes said they would "provide" masks.

— Robb Dooling (@Robb4DC) November 13, 2020

A number of other points were raised, including if masks would be required when folks are sleeping (no, per Dooling) and that the current level of screening (like temperature checks and checking for symptoms) may not be enough to identify asymptomatic cases.

ANC6A Chair Phil Toomajian said the D.C. government’s plan is “inhumane,” according to tweets from the meeting by Dooling. Toomajian wants the agencies to explore other options.

In response, ANC6A’s suggestion motion is to ask for additional funding for apartment-style housing as opposed to the use of recreation centers “in light of the serious health concerns posed by mass gatherings during the pandemic.”

On November 1, the Mayor’s Office activated the first hypothermia alert of the season, which opened all seasonal shelters 24/7 for the remainder of the winter.

Only two shelters were activated on that day, though: Banneker Community Center on Georgia Avenue and male-only Salvation Army on Sherman Avenue. Both shelters are in Northwest.