Maryland state lawmakers are advancing a bill designed to make homeless people feel human again and more connected to society by establishing a mobile laundry service.The bill, which has strong bipartisan support, passed in the House last month and is currently before a Senate committee.Hope on Wheels is a mobile laundry service for the homeless -- replete with washers, dryers, a toilet and a shower -- and it provides an oasis from the gritty streets and also offers counseling."(We do) what we can do to make them feel human again -- clean and fresh -- and find out what it is that we can do to help them get off the street," said Dee Gaister, a volunteer with the Organization of Hope.A mobile hygiene unit operated in Baltimore in 2019 for just a month before the city shut it down because of the lack of necessary permits. State lawmakers want to revive it not only in Baltimore, but statewide."We have all seen homeless people using public restrooms. I know a former homeless woman who said she had to wash her clothes in public restrooms and put them on wet. Some said they had to go to job interviews in soiled clothing," said Montgomery County Delegate Lily Qi, D-District 15.The bill would establish a mobile laundry three-year pilot program. The Department of Housing and Community Development would provide matching grants to nonprofits to operate the units, making $75,000 available each year."A pilot program that leverages existing community partners and resources is just what we need, especially now," Qi said.The short-lived mobile hygiene units in Baltimore served as many as 800 people near the downtown post office. The nonprofit Organization of Hope cites many lessons learned, advising community buy-in is a must for the program to work, as well as setting up the unit in government-approved locations. Several permits are required, and water hydrant costs without a waiver could run as high as $65,000. Because of COVID-19, the units must also be equipped with personal protective equipment and hand cleanser."Access to clean water, as we all know, is among the most basic of human needs. Clean laundry and a hot shower, for example, is about dignity about feeling human and feeling connected with society," Qi said.The legislation requires the Department of Housing to file a report to the governor and lawmakers in December 2024 on whether the pilot program should continue.
Maryland state lawmakers are advancing a bill designed to make homeless people feel human again and more connected to society by establishing a mobile laundry service.
The bill, which has strong bipartisan support, passed in the House last month and is currently before a Senate committee.
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Hope on Wheels is a mobile laundry service for the homeless -- replete with washers, dryers, a toilet and a shower -- and it provides an oasis from the gritty streets and also offers counseling.
"(We do) what we can do to make them feel human again -- clean and fresh -- and find out what it is that we can do to help them get off the street," said Dee Gaister, a volunteer with the Organization of Hope.
A mobile hygiene unit operated in Baltimore in 2019 for just a month before the city shut it down because of the lack of necessary permits. State lawmakers want to revive it not only in Baltimore, but statewide.
"We have all seen homeless people using public restrooms. I know a former homeless woman who said she had to wash her clothes in public restrooms and put them on wet. Some said they had to go to job interviews in soiled clothing," said Montgomery County Delegate Lily Qi, D-District 15.
The bill would establish a mobile laundry three-year pilot program. The Department of Housing and Community Development would provide matching grants to nonprofits to operate the units, making $75,000 available each year.
"A pilot program that leverages existing community partners and resources is just what we need, especially now," Qi said.
The short-lived mobile hygiene units in Baltimore served as many as 800 people near the downtown post office. The nonprofit Organization of Hope cites many lessons learned, advising community buy-in is a must for the program to work, as well as setting up the unit in government-approved locations. Several permits are required, and water hydrant costs without a waiver could run as high as $65,000. Because of COVID-19, the units must also be equipped with personal protective equipment and hand cleanser.
"Access to clean water, as we all know, is among the most basic of human needs. Clean laundry and a hot shower, for example, is about dignity about feeling human and feeling connected with society," Qi said.
The legislation requires the Department of Housing to file a report to the governor and lawmakers in December 2024 on whether the pilot program should continue.
March 17, 2021 at 04:38AM
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/laundry-service-homeless-maryland-house-bill-189/35855315
Bill would provide mobile laundry service for the homeless - WBAL TV Baltimore
https://news.google.com/search?q=Laundry&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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