Businesses, Residents in Chinatown want more attention paid to Homelessness

With rising housing costs and gentrification impacting D.C.’s Chinatown, visitors and businesses in the area are focused on homelessness and public safety concerns just one week away from Election Day.

The district has provided dedicated safe space hubs in Chinatown to connect the homeless with support systems and services, but for some residents and small businesses in the community, that isn’t enough.

“All you have to do is provide safe havens,” said Claire Demblon, a tourist who is familiar with the D.C. area.  Homelessness seems to be the biggest concern, she said

Demblon said D.C. needs a mayor like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

“I think he as a mayor can see how his community can be improved, and I think there’s got to be a better way of providing havens,” said Demblon.

D.C. has reported an overall 4.4 percent increase in homelessness across the city in 2026.

A manager from a restaurant in Chinatown has seen the homeless right outside of his restaurant. He said he has offered to provide to them, but thinks the city needs to do more to cater to their needs.

“I help them out as much as I can by giving them some meals, but there’s only so much we can do,” said the manager, who asked for anonymity. “We definitely need more action from the city and local government.”

Celal Akkaya, manager of SCIO Iris Photography on F Street NW, has experienced similar issues with homeless people outside of his store.

“They’re just like camping. I mean it’s understandable, you can’t just like drag them away,” said Akkaya. “But maybe they can help them at least, get a job or do something with their lives.”

Akkaya hopes that the homeless can find a purpose in the city and have the dedication to work at a big company.

“They don’t have a purpose in here, and that’s the problem,” said Akkaya. “If they can do something with that energy with that manpower, maybe they can get an opportunity somewhere.”

As she is ending her tenure in office, Mayor Muriel Bowser has tried to implement multiple behavioral and social services to improve poverty and public safety in the community.

Also available to help are the red vest public service safety ambassadors, a serivce provided by Downtown DC, the business improvement district for Chinatown, Penn Quarter, and neighboring areas.  Among other things, these ambassadors connect the homeless to the district government to provide shelters and resources for them.

Bowser also introduced the Gallery Place/Chinatown Task Force two years ago to develop in immediate actions and long-term visions to improve the community environment.

But with Bowser ending her tenure, the responsibility to address these major issues will soon be in the hands of a new mayor, widely expected to be Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George.

Business owners and residents say they hope the new mayor and next D.C. Councill can expand on public safety and reduce homelessness in the area.

“I hope they do better,” said Akkaya.