“We know that having access to that shelter would be a life saving resource for people in the neighborhood,” one West End resident says.

While U.S. Park Police said it has “no imminent plans” to remove the encampment near the Washington Convention Center, long-term housing issues and community tensions remain.

Advocates worry that permits for steateries could be used as a pretext to clear encampments.

This year’s elections mean a majority of the legislature will be women as of 2021.

Before the pandemic, the shelter normally served more than 200 women every night.

After a surprising victory this summer, the local politics newcomer is facing a barrage of criticism from her opponents.

Randy Downs, a 33-year-old gay candidate who lives in Dupont Circle, says he’s focused on alleviating the COVID-19 crisis and will use public financing for his campaign.

Martín Miguel Fernandez says he was disappointed about the D.C. primary results and has changed political parties to run in the November election.

Two weeks after winning the Ward 2 primary election, political newcomer Brooke Pinto has won the special election, too.

Early voting began in the D.C. primary on Friday.