Access to a clean, safe restroom is a HUMAN RIGHT On 28 July 2010 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Feb 20, 2023 155 likes •332 views

Access to a clean, safe restroom is a HUMAN RIGHT On 28 July 2010 the United Na-ons General Assembly through Resolu.on A/RES/64/292 declared safe and clean drinking water and sanita-on a human right essen-al to the full enjoyment of life

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“On 28 July 2010 the United Na-ons General Assembly through Resolu.on A/RES/64/292 declared safe and clean drinking water and sanita-on a human right essen-al to the full enjoyment of life and all

ther human rights.”

Access to a clean, safe restroom is a HUMAN RIGHT

3/29/17

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People for Fairness Coali.on DOWNTOWN DC

Public Restroom Ini.a.ve

OUR GOAL

Clean, safe, public restrooms open 24/7 to everyone in needed areas of Washington DC

www.pffcdc.org/what-we-do/public-restrooms

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WHAT WE ENVISION

That nobody should have to walk more than 5 minutes in commercial areas of Washington DC to find a clean, safe, available public restroom

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We did our home work:

1. We did a feasibility study to

iden-fy successful experiences with public restrooms and op.ons.

2. We carried out a restroom

inventory that documented that there is a problem in Downtown DC

THE REALITY

Downtown DC Lacks Clean, Safe, Public Restrooms Available 24/7

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Our objec.ves today

1. Make a convincing case

for why clean safe, available public restrooms are needed in downtown DC.

2. Provide our support for

Public Restroom Facili-es Task Force Bill.

3. Receive your comments/

sugges-ons

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Key Findings from Feasibility Study

Community buy in is cri-cal :

ANCs
Ci-zen’s associa-ons
BIDs
Churches
Other community organiza-ons

Appropriate si-ng is also very important:

A lot of pedestrian traffic
In open, visible loca-on
Near water and sewer

connec-ons

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Public Restrooms in Downtown London Public Restrooms in Downtown DC

Key Restroom Inventory Findings

Open day only Available 24/7 7

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Overall findings:

Only three clean, safe public

restrooms available 24/7 in all of DC

Four downtown open during the

day with limited hours.

In 2015 50% (43 of 85)of private

restroomsclosed to the public

In 2016 60% (53 of 85) of private

restrooms closed to the public,

No signs to let you know where

they are

Discrimina-on against homeless

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Three Public Restroom Op.ons

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1. Portland Loo

Designed to avoid being used for illicit ac-vi-es. Installed and successfully maintained In 12 ci-es in US and Canada; number of ci-es in US growing. Aarac-ve Open 24/7 Clean Safe $90,000 purchase $25,000 - $35,000 installa-on if close to water/sewer lines $20,000/yr. maintenance

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2. Automated Public Toilet

Found in New York City, San Francisco, many ci-es in Europe & Asia Aarac-ve Open 24/7 Clean Safety issues $250,000 - $1,000,000 purchase $25,000 - $35,000 installa-on if close to water/sewer lines $100,000 - $150,000/yr. maintenance

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3. City of London

Community Toilet Scheme

Government provides financial incen-ve to private businesses to make toilets available to public. Businesses display special s-ckers in their windows. Signs indicate where they are located Other ci-es: in England, Germany & Australia have similar programs.

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Why clean, safe, available public restrooms are necessary

Restroom challenged: when

they have to go they have to go urgently. (examples: seniors, pregnant women, young children, people with bowel incon9nence)

Businesses: restroom

challenged shoppers more apt to come, fewer requests to use their restrooms, less poop to scoop.

Tourists/tourism: more apt to

visit commercial areas and shop if public restrooms are available.

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Why clean, safe, available public restrooms are necessary (cont.)

Walkers, joggers, bikers: need

to know they can access restrooms when they need them.

Taxi, Uber, truck, bus drivers:

hard -me when driving in/ through DC finding a place to go.

Housing unstable: indignity, risk
f jail/fine or both for relieving

self outside.

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Our Strategy and What We Have Accomplished

Raise consciousness/build broad support:

Endorsements from:

DC Fiscal Policy Ins-tute
Washington Legal Clinic for the

Homeless

Fair Budget Coali-on
Miriam’s Kitchen

Media exposure:

Washington Post
Washington City Paper
DC Currents
Street Sense
Kojo Nnamdi Show

March 20 presenta-on at Wilson Building

Gregg Madden, manufacturer of

Portland Loo, one of 3 recommended

p-ons

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Strategy/Accomplishments (cont.)

Build community support:

(current focus on Dupont Circle). Endorsements from:

ANC2B
Dupont Circle Ci-zens Associa-on
Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets
Foundry United Methodist Church

Convince Mayor and DC City Council of the need:

Two ANC resolu-ons sent to DC City

Council

Over 1,000 pe--ons signed
Public Restroom Facili-es Task

Force Bill introduced by Council Member Nadeau, inspired by our approach

Briefings with 6 DC Council

Members/staffers

Public Restroom Facility Task Force Establishment Act of 2017 (B22-61)

“To establish a Public Restroom Facili-es Task Force to recommend sites and methods for installing public restrooms and to determine the best method of incen-vizing businesses to keep their restrooms open to the general public.”

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